Following discussions between the 1995 skipper Andrew Oliver, and the club, it has been agreed to postpone the 25th Anniversary Reunion Dinner until the start of next season. A new date will be announced as soon as it’s possible.
Author Archives: Robert Smith
The WRU has released the following statement:
The WRU, having considered expert medical advice has taken the precautionary measure of suspending all forms of rugby, including training and rugby-related courses, from 6pm on Saturday 14 March up to and including Monday 30 March. The WRU has taken this decision in the interests of players, supporters, volunteers, referees, stakeholders and Welsh communities in general.
The WRU will continue to assess this fast-moving situation and provide further updates in due course.
From the WRU:
Further to yesterday’s announcement that the Guinness Six Nations fixture versus Scotland scheduled for today has been postponed, please note that at this time, the date of the re-arranged fixture is not known. However, see below further information in respect of tickets purchased to date by clubs, which aligns with the ticketing term and conditions.
All tickets purchased for the fixture will continue to be valid for the re-arranged date, please ask members to keep their tickets in a safe place.
Once the re-arranged date is known, clubs will be advised and at that point, clubs are able to claim a refund for those tickets that are not required for use for the re-arranged date.
In order to complete the refund, the original ticket will need to be returned to the WRU Ticket Office.
Tickets that were assigned and purchased by end users via Allocation Manager Portal (AMP) will be managed by the WRU Ticket Office and communicated with the same offer.
At this stage, we do not advise that clubs refund end users requesting immediate refunds and follow the above process.
The funeral service for the late Horace Matthews, due to be held on Tuesday 31st March at the
Congregational Church in Cwm, has been cancelled. The family will arrange a memorial service at a later date.
Horace played for us in that great team of the 50s as an excellent, hard-as-granite back row forward. He represented Monmouthshire and played in the combined Ebbw Vale and Abertillery XV that played the New Zealand All Blacks. After his playing days ended, Horace served on the club committee for many years, including a stint as Vice Chairman.
Our thoughts are with Horace’s family.
Where were you on April 24th, 1995?
If you were at Narberth RFC, with several hundred other Ebbw supporters, watching Andrew Oliver lead his team to a victory that secured promotion to the top tier, then the 25th Anniversary Dinner (poster below) is the place you’ll want to be. And you’ll still want to be there, to celebrate one of the great days in our club’s history, even if you weren’t at Narberth all those years ago.
Our dynamic openside flanker, Dawid Rubasniak, has been called up by Poland Rugby and is currently in camp in Warsaw, prior to Poland’s away game with the Netherlands in the Rugby Europe Trophy on Saturday. Dawid has previously represented Poland 7s and now looks set to gain full international honours. Everyone at ECP wishes him and his team mates ‘pob lwc’, ‘good luck’ and ‘powodzenia’.
It was with sadness that we heard that Horace Matthews one of our great former players has died, aged 94. One of the legendary Matthews family of Cwm who played for us in that great team of the 50s, Horace was an excellent, hard-as-granite back row forward. He represented Monmouthshire and played in the combined Ebbw Vale and Abertillery XV that played the New Zealand All Blacks. After his playing days ended, Horace served on the club committee for many years.
Our deepest sympathies go to Horace’s family.
January Squad News
The club is pleased to confirm the following signings:
Wing Mike Powell, who has spent the last 5 seasons at Bridgend RFC and prior to that played Premiership rugby at Aberavon RFC has made the transfer to Ebbw Vale RFC following a move to live in the area in the summer. As supporters have already seen, Mike brings with him a solid defensive game and pace.
Joining Mike is fellow winger Aaron Grabham who has completed a move from Llanelli RFC. Aaron scored for Llanelli against the Steelmen earlier in the season and has been a regular try scorer for previous clubs Aberavon, Neath and Bridgend, and adds undoubted pace in attack and defence.
A third back joining the club, having seen service at Bridgend and briefly at Pontypridd, is Ryan Evans. Ryan’s preferred position is outside centre but, as supporters have already seen, he has the skills and experience to feature at full back and outside half.
The final back to join the club is Rhys Jones whose transfer was completed in the last 24 hours from Merthyr RFC, in probably the worst kept secret in Steelmen Rugby history. Rhys’s short stay at Merthyr was a successful one but he was delighted to be offered the opportunity to return to a club that means a lot to him and his family. Welcome home Rhys!
The forwards have been strengthened by the signing from Bristol club Old Redcliffians of second row forward Corey Talbot. Standing at 6ft 9” and around 20st, and a product of the highly rated Clifton College rugby programme where he came under the influence of current RGC coach Saul Nelson, Corey has added lineout prowess and power to an already strong pack.
The club has one remaining squad place and are still looking at potential players to fill it.
Injury Update
One of the major reasons that has led to the Steelmen battling at the wrong end of the Premiership table ithe high level of injuries sustained to key players. The club has yet to see the team named on a Thursday take the field on a Saturday, and this has had an unsettling affect on performances.
The current situation is as follows…
Paul King sustained a thumb injury in Saturday’s game v Pontypridd.He has undergone an operation and will be unavailable for 6 to 8 weeks.
Rhys Francis, who has delivered a consistently high level of performance whether as a hooker or in the back row, suffered a dislocated shoulder in the drawn game at Llandovery and will undergo an operation in the next few weeks. This will rule him out for the rest of this season.
Dai Langdon is awaiting a scan on the knee injury sustained in the Llandovery game with fingers crossed that it is not a knee ligament injury.
Scrum half Sam Ireland is a few weeks away from a return after a concussion sustained in the Cardiff cup game followed by a groin injury.
Long time supporters’ favourite Cameron Regan is having a wrist operation in the next week or so and faces 10 to 12 weeks on the sidelines.
Hooker Joe Franchi is looking for a return to the team following the hamstring tear he sustained in the defeat by Swansea.
Recent signing Lewis Williams has sustained a groin injury which is proving troublesome to recover from, but he hopes to return to action in the next few weeks.
Back row forward Owen Young is on schedule to return in mid February following the knee ligament injury sustained in the Cardiff game in November.
The coaches, players and management of Ebbw Vale RFC would like to congratulate our young Dragons Will Griffiths, Aneurin Owen and Ewan Rosser on their selection for Wales Under 20 squad for the forthcoming Six Nations Championship.
“The club has learned of the serious road traffic accident involving Patrick Harrington.
He is seriously ill in Hospital and I, and all his many friends in Ebbw Vale, together with all in the Rugby Club which he has served with such distinction for so many years, are hoping and praying for a good recovery.
Our thoughts are with Sue, Rebecca and Fergus and their families at this difficult time.
Some may not know that Patrick played a considerable role alongside the Russell family during the glory years of professional rugby.”
Mark Powell QC
President
Ebbw Vale RFC
We wish all our supporters, sponsors, junior players and club members a merry christmas. Your ongoing support going into the 2nd half of the season will mean so much to us as we all take on the challenge of this premiership season. We look forward to seeing you all at EXP for the Merthyr game. Have a great Christmas and here’s to a positive 2020.”
Greg Woods,
Head Coach
There’s been a change to the fixture details for Llanell, away. It will now take place on Friday, April 17th at Parc y Scarlets. Llanelli have to play a cup match on the original daye of January 31st.
Head Coach Greg Woods has invited supporters, age group officials and parents to join the players and coaching staff for a Christmas Social in the clubhouse after training this Thursday (about 8pm). The event proved very popular last year,and the format will be the same this time:
– everyone must wear a Christmas jumper;
– players and staff to bring their own food for the Christmas feast;
– a tin of food to be donated by everyone attending for a local charity; and,
– players and supporters to form a joint Christmas carol singing choir.
See you all there!
Skipper Ashley Sweet runs out for his 200th appearance for Ebbw when they take on Bridgend this afternoon (14/12/19).
Ashley joined the club from Cardiff in the summer of 2010, when Ebbw faced their first season in Division One East, forming what would go on to become the best second row pairing in the Premiership with Damien Hudd. He has been with the Steelmen ever since, apart from a year as a professional player with the Dragons.
Congratulations to Ashley on a fantastic achievement!
Squad Update
The club is pleased to announce the arrival of two new players. Prop Dave Whiting has actually already made two impressive appearances from the bench, having signed from Worcester RFC after spending the last few years playing rugby at the top club level in Australia. The 25-year-old is a tight head by preference but is equally adept on the loose head of the scrum and is an imposing figure at 6ft 1” and 130kgs. He is also highly mobile with impressive handling skills and is Wales qualified via his grandfather.
He is joined at the Steelmen by highly experienced outside half Lewis K Williams who has represented Pontypridd, Bridgend and Llanelli in the Premiership. Lewis is best known for his time with Pontypridd where he played 92 games and has been a consistent points scorer and game controller. As befits a player of this pedigree, he possesses a big kicking game and is able to bring fluidity to the back line.
Sadly, two players are leaving the Steelmen due to changing work commitments. Craig Fillier and Carl ‘the Beast” Sully worked hard throughout preseason and impressed coaches and spectators with great attitudes and skills. Craig will combine running a new gym with turning out for Blaina RFC, and Carl will play his rugby at Pill Harriers once he recovers from a shoulder injury. We wish both players well for the future.
Suspension
Rob Sevenoaks received a three week ban for his red card at Cardiff in the Cup Game at the Arms Park and will be available to play on December 14th.
Injury Update
There is a lengthy injury list at the moment and here is the latest picture as of Thursday, 28th November:
Sam Ireland – concussion – return to play scheduled for December 7th
Cameron Regan – wrist injury – return to play in 2 to 4 weeks
Luke Garrett – heel injury – return to play in 2 to 4 weeks
Craig Duncan – ankle ligaments – 4 weeks
Ellis Evans – hand injury – 8 weeks
Dai Jones – hand injury – 2 to 4 weeks
Joel Harries – pectoral muscle injury – working hard towards a February return
Owen Young – knee injury – 12 weeks
Our home game with Bridgend will take place on Saturday, 14/12/19 at 2:30pm, which was the date originally scheduled. BBC Wales were going to feature it live on 13/12/19 but those plans have changed.
Anyone who’s recently enjoyed a matchday burger, hot dog or cuppa will be delighted with the following news. The Scruminicious Burger Bar, housed in the refurbished building between the clubhouse and the stand, will be open from next Monday, 7 days a week, 8am til 3pm. Call in for a snack or a drink and support the club!
Ebbw’s reputation as the Premiership’s most photogenic team continues, with BBC Wales confirming that the following matches will be televised live:
Nov 8th Cardiff (away) – this is the Specsavers Cup tie
Dec 13th Bridgend (home) – changed from Dec 14th
Jan 3rd Merthyr (home) – changed from Jan 4th
Kick off times will be around 7 to 7:30; obviously these will be confirmed in advance!
Ebbw Vale will be one of six Welsh teams to take part in a new cross border competition, playing six Scottish clubs following the end of the Indigo Group Premiership season.
Ebbw’s fixtures are:
25/04/20 Southern Knights home
02/05/20 Watsonians away (Myreside Rd, Edinburgh EH10 5BZ)
09/05/20 Ayrshire Bulls home
16/05/20 Heriots home
23/05/20 Stirling County away (Bridgehaugh Park, Stirling FK8 2EW)
30/05/20 Boroughmuir away (North Meggetland, Edinburgh, EH14 1AS)
Chairman Jonathan Jones said, “We’re really excited about this opportunity of cross-border competition against these Scottish teams. It is a welcome new addition to our season for everyone involved. As a club we have an old friendship with Watsonians which we are looking forward to renewing – the supporters are already looking at which match – or matches – they can organise trips to!”
Our away match with Newport, originally due to be played on December 28th, has been moved to January 31st with a 7:30 ko.
As announced at the club AGM in June 2018, our Treasurer and Company Secretary Alan Gall has now stepped down from his roles with the club following a summer spent handing over to the new incumbents. Chairman Jonathan Jones said, “Alan has been an integral part of the success of the club over the last 8 years and has worked extremely hard in this period taking on far more than a traditional Treasurer’s role. Only those close to the club can begin to understand his contribution and the amount of time he has put into ensuring that we have competed very successfully at Division 1, Championship and Premiership Level. His input has been as vital as any on or off the field in this period. His fantastic work will be greatly missed by the officials of the club and we look forward to seeing him at the games, relaxed and without the stress that the workload provides – particularly on a home match day!
I would also like to take the opportunity to welcome and thank those who have stepped up to take on the tasks previously performed by Alan.”
Alan told the website, “Having done the job for 8 years, I have decided to step down as Treasurer. I feel it’s time for younger people to take over! My duties have been assumed by Mark Hathway (Finance), Bob Craft (Season tickets) and Damien Jenkins (International tickets). I wish them and everyone else at the club all the very best for the future.”
Our Premiership match at Pontypridd will be featured on TV as a Friday night game, on October 18th, kick off time to be confirmed.
Our home game against Llanelli will not now be featured on TV and will take place as originally planned on Saturday, October 26th, kicking off at 2:30 pm.
Ebbw Vale’s away matches against Cardiff in November have also been rearranged.
The Premiership game will now kick off at 7:30pm on Friday, November 1st and the Cup game will now take place on Friday, November 8th, also with a 7:30pm start.
The changes have been made to accommodate European Cup rounds in which the Blues will play at the Arms Park on the Saturdays.
The club has received this communication from the WRU.
“Following the comprehensive process undertaken as part of the League Rules of the Welsh Rugby Union, it is with great pleasure that I write to inform you that the Competitions Management Committee have granted Ebbw Vale RFC Premier Division A Licence status for the coming 20-21 Season.”
Club Secretary, Karl Offers said, “We are very grateful to everyone who, voluntarily, worked hard to ensure that the club has, again, been awarded the A Licence.”
Ebbw Vale have been drawn away to Cardiff in the second round of the Specsavers Cup. The game will take place on November 9th kicking off at 2:30 pm (to be confirmed).
The draw in full is here:
Many thanks to our brilliant board sponsors who help the club financially and in other ways. Please support them whenever you can.
