Ebbw maintain 100% cup record
The Steelmen claimed six points from the Gwent derby to move to the top of the SRC group Cup table after playing on a lovely sunny day.
Newport took the lead from an early penalty by fly half Jac Lloyd to put the visitors three points to the good.
However, the tone for the afternoon was about to be set. From a lineout in the Black and Ambers twenty-two, the home forwards set up a rolling maul, which resulted in prop Adam Court dotting down over the line. Club top points scorer Evan Lloyd was unsuccessful with the conversion.
The second try of the afternoon quickly followed. With a lot to do and plenty of space in front of him, scrum half Gruff Tough used his pace to race past numerous defenders from his own half. A fantastic break saw Tough draw the last line of defence and pass to winger Ryan Gardner, who showed a clean pair of heels to go over the line out wide. Fly half Lloyd successfully sent the conversion through the middle of the posts to extend Ebbw’s lead to nine points.
With the hosts dominant, a high tackle by Newport hooker Henry Palmer and ill discipline by Ben Roach, saw the away side reduced to thirteen men for ten minutes.
The home side took advantage of their numerical forward advantage. Applying pressure to the line, referee Ben Whitehouse was left with no option but to run under the posts and award the Steelmen a penalty try.
The hosts soon scored their fourth try and claim the first bonus point. From a lineout, the Ebbw Vale forwards set up another rolling maul, which saw captain Joe Franchi score the fourth try of the afternoon. Lloyd was unable to add the extras.
The home side coach Jason Strange was forced into the first substitution of the afternoon after centre Ieuan Evans was replaced by Hamish Anderson due to injury. A reshuffle in the backline was winger Ryan Gardner move to outside centre.
A good backs move from Newport inside the Ebbw Vale half saw centre David Richards score the visitors first try of the afternoon. Outside half Jac Lloyd missed the following conversion.
Half Time: Ebbw Vale RFC 24 Newport RFC 8
The Black and Ambers came out for the second half with the grit between their teeth. Shortly after half time, a break of the Ebbw Vale defensive line saw scrum half Daffydd Buckland go over the line unopposed. Number ten Jac Lloyd added the two points to reduce the deficit to nine points.
With the away side having a good spell of possession and territory, referee Whitehouse awarded the away side a penalty. As a result, Ebbw Vale prop Morgan Davies was shown a yellow card.
From the resulting penalty, Newport fly half Jac Lloyd reduced the deficit further to six points.
However, Ebbw Vale increased their lead back to nine points after fly half Evan Lloyd sent a penalty through the middle of the sticks.
The hosts coach Strange then made a host of changes. The front row of Morgan Davies, Joe Franchi and Adam Court were replaced by Luke Garrett, Ieuan Morris and Adam Williams, Cameron Regan came on for flanker Jack Pope and number eight Ryan Jenkins was replaced by Lewis Young.
Soon after the changes, the Steelmen were reduced to fourteen men for the second time during the half. Referee Whitehouse sent flanker Regan to the sin bin for ten minutes.
Newport again made it a six-point game after outside half Jac Lloyd successfully kicked a penalty from inside the Ebbw half.
Once again the hosts struck back. After the forwards went through the phases, Canadian international flanker Sion Parry used his strength to go over and score his sides fifth try of the afternoon. Number ten Evan Lloyd added the two points.
The home side fly half Evan Lloyd extended Ebbw’s lead to sixteen points from a penalty inside the Black and Ambers half.
A further change by Steelmen coach Strange, saw Kobi Rees come on for flanker Sion Parry.
With Ebbw Vale playing a lot of the game in the Newport half, the final try of the afternoon came when Lewis Young use his strength to power over and score the home sides six try of the game. Evan Lloyd successfully kicked the conversion.
The Steelmen’s final substitution of the afternoon, came when scrum half Gruff Tough was replaced by Dan Buffrey for the final few minutes.
Full Time: Ebbw Vale RFC 44 Newport RFC 21
Ebbw Addicts Man of the Match: Gruff Tough
Tries: Adam Court (1), Ryan Gardner (1), Penalty try (1), Joe Franchi (1), Sion Parry (1), Lewis Young (1)
Conversions: Evan Lloyd (3)
Penalties: Evan Lloyd (2)
After the game we spoke with scrum half Gruff Tough. Gruff thought the game went well for Ebbw with lots of positives. However, he was quick to acknowledge there were aspects of the game that still required to be worked on . Gruff believed the team made a strong start, especially in the first half and towards the end, however, he was not happy about letting Newport back into the game in the second half.
Reflecting on receiving man of the match, Gruff was happy to receive his first award from the Ebbw Addicts and is hoping to continue his good form for the remainder of the season.
Ebbw Vale’s next game is away to Swansea RFC, at St Helens for their final SRC Cup group game on Saturday 15th March 2025. Please note there is a slightly earlier kick off of 2pm.
Written by Alex Kinsella-Evans
