Category Archives: Ebbw Vale Rugby
Fans’ favourite Chris Levesley suffered a serious facial injury 10 minutes into Saturday’s game with RGC, which resulted in him requiring an operation on a badly fractured jaw in the Heath Hospital on Saturday. Chris is recovering and will obviously play no further part in the remaining games. I’m sure all Ebbw Addicts wish Chris a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing him in the Steelmen colours next season
James Lewis missed Saturday’s game with a hip flexor injury but should be in contention for the vital Llandovery game.
Outside Half Josh Lewis is still recovering from the affects of concussion during the Pontypridd game and will be assessed again during the coming week.
In addition to this Jonathan Davies received a 6 week ban for his dismissal in the Merthyr game and will be eligible to play from May 5th.
Everyone at the club was saddened to learn that Graham Davies, former Ebbw Vale and Cardiff lock, died on March 23rd. Graham lived in Alandale Road, Rassau, went to Rassau School and then Ebbw Vale Grammar School. He was capped in the Welsh Schools team and went with them to South Africa in in the 50s, when Clive Rowlands was scrum-half. He played for Ebbw Vale then moved to Cardiff where he was first choice for many years and represented the Blue and Blacks against the Springboks and All Blacks.
When we played at the Arms Park in the Cup we met him and other well known players of a great era in Cardiff’s history.
Our sympathies go to Graham’s family.
Ebbw Vale RFC are delighted to announce that Josh Lewis has signed a contract with one of the leading teams in UK rugby. After returning from a spell at the Scarlets that was blighted by a serious knee injury, Josh quickly recaptured the form that had previously delighted the Steelmen faithful. His form gained the attention of Bath who have added him to a very strong back division and, amongst others, he will compete with fellow Welshman Rhys Priestland for the number 10 position.
Josh is currently sidelined by a concussion sustained in the Pontypridd game but is determined to wear the Steelmen shirt prior to his switch to Bath.
This is a great opportunity for Josh and all staff at Ebbw Vale will be pleased that they have helped him to return to the full time game. It also emphasises to any young player that Ebbw Vale and the Premiership can provide a springboard into the professional game
At the same time Josh’s partner in many games for the Steelmen, Chris Thomas, has left for a period playing in New Zealand. It is hoped that Chris will return to the club next season having reached the 100 game landmark this season. Chris‘s eye for a gap and pace has seen the Penallta product score over 20 tries in the last 5 seasons, as well as pulling off some match saving tackles. He has played a major part in the success of the Steelmen and we wish him well on what will be a great life and rugby experience.
Click on the link for more details of what looks to be a fantastic event at the Welfare!
International rugby returns to Ebbw Vale this Sunday afternoon, March 26th. The Wales u18 team take on their English counterparts in a match that kicks off at 3:45pm. Tickets will be available on the gate at £5, with free entry for under 16s.
During what was a full blooded cup game v Merthyr RFC there was an unfortunate incident involving Jonathan Davies spitting at an opposition player. This has no place at Ebbw Vale RFC or within sport in general.
Jonathan, as a highly promising young player, was playing in the biggest game of his career to date and the adrenaline and excitement severely clouded his judgment leading to his mistake.
In light of this, Ebbw Vale RFC has suspended Jonathan with immediate effect and this will remain in place up to the disciplinary hearing by the WRU. Any repeat behaviour will lead to Jonathan being dismissed by the club and he fully understands and respects that.
To his credit Jonathan has fully admitted his mistake and is upset by his actions and will work with Coaching Staff and Officials to ensure there is no repeat of this behavior in the future
The following is a message from Jonathan:
“I would like to apologise to you all for what happened on the weekend. What I did has no place in sport, straight away I knew that I had messed up and was disappointed in myself. The incident happened in full view of my family leading to their embarrassment and shame in my actions.
I take full responsibility for my actions and what I did was completely out of order and will not happen again. Despite being a heat of the moment reaction, spitting has no place in sport.
Having really enjoyed the reception from the supporters at the club, it is only right that having apologised to the coaches, captain and players I give the same respect to the supporters at the club.”
The funeral of former club secretary Ray Powell will take place at Mount Pleasant Chapel, Ebbw Vale at 1pm on Wednesday 22 March followed by cremation at Llwydcoed.
It was a big weekend for our life member, scribe, friend and all-round thoroughly good egg: Roy ‘REL’ Lewis celebrated his 90th birthday – and in some style, knowing the Lewis family! As well as his family, Roy’s great loves in life are Ebbw Vale rugby, rugby in general, the Welsh Guards, Frank Sinatra and a nice glass of red. It is said that the telephonist at his former employer used to enquire of anyone who asked to speak to him, “Is it the rugby or the Guards?”
At 90, his writing on rugby remains as perceptive and witty as ever. I can vouch for this as an avid reader of his programme notes – and in recent years his website articles – going back to 1976.
Many happy returns from everyone at Ebbw Vale RFC, Roy!
Along with rugby people all over Wales and beyond, we at Ebbw Vale RFC was deeply saddened to hear the news last weekend of the tragic and untimely death of Welsh rugby international, Elli Norkett. Many older Ebbw Vale supporters will recall that Elli’s father, Kim, played at scrum half for us in the mid 1980s, as well as representing Breconshire on many occasions.
Elli’s death represents a sad loss for everyone who knew, loved and admired this talented young woman, described by her friend and team-mate, Shona Powell-Hughes, as, “A unique and irreplaceable character that could light up any room she walked into with just her smile – a smile which made you smile”.
We send our heartfelt condolences to Elli’s family.
Ebbw will play Merthyr at Eugene Cross Park in the quarterfinals of the National Cup. The draw in full is:
Cross Keys RFC v Pontypool RFC
RGC1404 v Llandovery RFC
Ebbw Vale RFC v Merthyr RFC
Carmarthen RFC v Pontypridd RFC
Ties will be played on the weekend of March 4th, with our game kicking off ar 2:30pm on the 4th.
The Addicts will be running a bus to Carmarthen Quins on Friday.
The bus will leave the rugby club at 5.30pm. There are still a number of seats available.
Seats can be booked by:
Email: ebbwaddicts@mail.com
Phone: 07766490358
Also deposits of £40 for RGC trip should be paid asap.
There are still places left on the trip.
Fur further information use the contact details above.
It was with great sadness that we heard of the recent sudden and untimely passing of Paul Sturdy, Vice President and ex-committee member.
Paul served formally on the committee at Ebbw Vale RFC in the early ‘noughties’ and was a passionate supporter for over 20 years. He was also actively involved supporting his son’s coaching career along with watching and helping his twin daughters’ play rugby, most recently with the Jesters.
A generous man, Paul was at a rugby fundraiser with family and friends the day before he died and donations to Velindre in Paul’s memory are welcomed by the family.
The funeral will be at St David’s Church, Beaufort on Monday 20th February at 11:30am with burial then at Cefn Golau Cemetery. Mourners are asked to wear red rugby jerseys or other red items.
Our thoughts are with Paul’s wife, Vicky, and their children Stacey, Luke, Scott, Rhian and Alex.
The club was deeply shocked and saddened to learn of the sudden death of former player and current serving Police Officer Mark Dicks at the tragically young age of 53.
Mark, known to all as Dicksy was a native of Rassau and joined the Steelmen following advice from his work colleague at Marine Colliery and Ebbw Vale stalwart Malcolm Sibthorpe after starting his senior career at the RTB club. Dicksy was a great performer in the 2nd row and only left his hometown club when he joined South Wales Police, switching to the star studded police team that contained many current Welsh internationals.
Dicksy also spent several seasons in a very strong Pontypridd team where he alternated between the second and back rows. He dropped down from what was then known as First Class Rugby and joined Merthyr where he now lived and captained the club as they climbed the leagues. He ended his career as a player coach at Dowlais RFC after which he switched all of his attention to motocross, a major love for Dicksy from a young age
Dicksy was an imposing figure, as gentle off the field as he was tough on it with a wonderful sense of humour, often self deprecating, and could be relied upon to provide some fun at anytime.
As someone who knew him very well from the age of 4, he was a wonderful person to grow up with and a great friend to many, myself included and in the last few days many Dicksy stories have come back to me and they have all, without fail, made me smile.
Our deepest condolences and thoughts are with his wife and family.
As a mark of respect a minute silence will be held prior to this Saturday’s Bedwas game
Chairman
Jon Jones
Ebbw Vale will make a welcome return to Beddau RFC in Round 2 of the National Cup, on February 18th. This was always one of the best away fixtures when we were in Division One East and the Championship, with a warm welcome off the field and hard games on it.
The draw in full is:
Narberth RFC v Carmarthen RFC
Pontypridd RFC v Newport RFC
Bedwas RFC v Merthyr RFC
Bridgend RFC v RGC 1404
Cardiff RFC v Pontypool RFC
Cross Keys RFC v Neath RFC
Beddau RFC v Ebbw Vale RFC
Llandovery RFC v Bargoed RFC
Three Premiership games scheduled for Saturdays have now been moved to Friday nights to avoid clashing with Wales’ Six Nations fixtures. The changes are as follows:
Ebbw Vale v Aberavon now Friday, February 10th, 7:30pm
Carmarthen v Ebbw Vale now Friday, February 24th, 7:15pm
Ebbw Vale v Pontypridd now Friday, March 17th, 7:15pm
The second half of the season coincides with the January 31st transfer deadline leading to a hectic few days for club officials!
The club has signed the following players:
The Lewis twins return to the club after 10 years playing professional rugby mainly at London Welsh. Scrum Half Rob and Centre / Wing James, victims of the sad circumstances at London Welsh, are back at the club where they started their senior career and continue the long history the Lewis family has with the Steelmen, their late grandfather being a star performer at outside half, father Steve a record points holder at scrum half and cousin Iestyn a highly talented centre, all gracing Eugene Cross Park over the last 5 decades. Welcome back to two highly talented individuals who have always expressed a desire to return to the club!
The return of the twins sees 2 sets of twins in the squad and it will be interesting when they are on the field the same time as the Franchi twins. This is highly unusual and it would be interesting to know if another club has 2 sets of twins in the squad.
23 year old second row Lance Randall joins the club after being out injured for a long period with a knee injury. He is a product of the Dragons Academy where he played alongside several of the current Steelmen Squad. Lance is a Welsh U18 international and has played senior rugby at Newport and several seasons at Cinderford. He has worked hard over the last 8 weeks with the clubs medical team to return to action and has impressed coaches in training and all believe he will add to the already strong Steelmen pack
The club are also delighted to see centre Dom Franchi return to the playing squad after a long period out with a knee ligament injury sustained at Pontyprid on World Cup Final day in 2015. Dom had established himself as a favourite of the Ebbw Addicts with his strong ball carting and destructive tackling. Dom has worked diligently on his rehabilitation at all times and deserves to enjoy the warm welcome he will receive when he takes the field
Centre Adam Jones has suffered a setback as he battles a groin strain and will be reassessed by medical staff in the next few weeks
Further updates on squad and injuries will follow next week.
We are all sorry to learn that one of our legendary players of the 1950s and 1960s, the great Albert ‘Albie’ Jackson (of Blaina), has died. Albert was a key figure in two Championship sides and Roy Lewis, who saw him play many times, recalls the final game of the 1951-52 season, at home to Neath when, in front of 10000 speactators, Jackson chased a cross kick, which he caught to score under the posts. Great skill for a threequarter – but Albie was a hooker! No wonder Roy describes him as the ‘Chunky’ of his day.
The funeral will take place on Monday 6th February at 12 noon at the Wesleyan Chapel, Nantyglo, followed by cremation at Croesyceiliog.
The club will hold a minute’s silence before Saturday’s National Cup tie with Skewen RFC.
Naturally, our condolences go out to Albie’s loved ones.
The WRU have released the Premiership fixtures for the second section of the season, and Ebbw’s programme looks like this:
February 4th Bedwas (h)
February 11th Aberavon (h)
February 25th Carmarthen (a)
March 18th Pontypridd (h)
April 8th RGC (a)
April 29th Llandovery (a)
May 6th Merthyr (h)
The matches against Aberavon, Carmarthen and Pontypridd clash with Wales 6 Nations games, so will have earlier kick off times, or be played on other dates, subject to agreement between clubs and the WRU.
The family of long-time Steelmen supporter, Howard Thomas, have asked us to include the following information regarding his funeral:
“The funeral for Howard Thomas will be on Tuesday 24th January, with an 11:45am service at Christchurch, Ebbw Vale (conducted by club chaplain Rev Geoff Waggett) followed by cremation at Llwydcoed crematorium, Aberdare.”
If you’re wondering exactly what happens next, our club secretary Ian James has put together this message, which tells you as much as we know.
“The WRU’s Premiership team starts working on fixtures today, January 9th. The WRU and Premiership clubs will then meet on Monday 16th January when we’d hope to agree the format and publish the fixtures soon afterwards.
The prime criterion is to try and ensure that all clubs get the same home/away balance over the whole season i.e. 11 home, 11 away. This will mean that teams who have had 7 home and 8 away fixtures in the first section of the season (as we have) will have 4 home and 3 away fixtures in the second section.
Of the 7 other teams in the Top 8 Ebbw have played 5 away, but will only have 4 home games to “get the balance right”. This means a second away trip to one team we’ve already visited. RGC again, anyone?
Over the longer term the ‘home or away’ basis of the first section (rounds that finished yesterday) will be reversed on a two year cycle, so all the teams we played at home in the first half this year, we’ll play away next year.
Please note, this is all subject to change or tomy misinterpretation!
I’d be grateful for any constructive thoughts or comments, so please contact me if you have any: clubsecretary@evrfc.co.uk “
Everyone associated with Ebbw Vale RFC is devastated to learn of the death of long time supporter Howard Thomas, in the early hours of Sunday morning. We send our heartfelt condolences to all those who hold him dear.
This is the Steelmen squad to take on Cross Keys at Eugene Cross Park tomorrow (Saturday January 7th):
Dan Haymond, Nathan Preece, Gareth Maule, Dai Langdon, Craig Duncan; Josh Lewis, Dai Jones; Ross Jones, Joe Franchi, Gethin Robinson; Jaonathan Davies, Damien Hudd (capt); Rhys Clarke, Ronny Kynes, Harrison Keddie.
Subs: Jonny Bowen, Ian George, Rob Sevenoaks, Max Williams, Dawid Rubasniak, Chris Thomas, Ryan Gardner, Srdan Majkic.
With the Premiership about to be cloven in twain, a win for Ebbw will mean a ‘top eight’ place. Any other result will mean that the final split will depend on the outcome of Cardiff’s match at home to Bedwas. If Cardiff lose, Ebbw will be in the top half regardless.
To add to the excitement, S4C will be covering the game live on TV and streamed via their facebook page. Look out for a link from our twitter account tomorrow afternoon.
Ebbw Vale RFC have secured the services of former Scarlets and Bristol centre Gareth Maule in a player coach role.
Maule, 29, returns to where he started his career having gone on to represent Newport Gwent Dragons, and Scarlets for whom he made 115 appearances before joining Aviva Premiership giants Bristol.
“We are absolutely delighted to be able to secure someone of Gareth’s calibre. He’s got a wealth of Heineken Cup and Pro12 experience and is a consummate professional. We are confident he will bring a wealth of knowledge, experience and professionalism to the club which will no doubt improve and enthuse the current squad” said Ebbw Vale Chairman Jon Jones.
Head Coach Nigel Davies said, “As a player Gareth brings physicality and both an attacking and defensive edge which he has displayed time and time again at the top level. He’s a talented individual with a mass of experience, he’s shown during his time with me at the Scarlets and at Bristol. We are excited to have him here.”
On signing Gareth said “It’s great to be involved again with Ebbw Vale, where I gained my first taste of senior rugby. They are a friendly but ambitious club and the opportunity to work alongside Nigel Davies in my home region is one which I look forward to.”
The club are also delighted to secure the services of back 5 forward Jonathan Davies from Ynsyddu RFC. The 23 year old has impressed in training, Fosters Cup matches and in a 20 minute cameo from the bench at Bedwas on Boxing Day with abrasive and skilled performances. Jonathan’s development has been held back by injuries in the last few years but, now coming back to full fitness, he is delighted to get the opportunity to develop his career further with the Steelmen.
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Ebbw Vale have named a large squad for this evening’s friendly match at Hafodyrynys. The game, which helps Hafodyrynys celebrate their centenary.
Will Holley
Craig Duncan
Srdan Majkic
Dai Langdon
Chris Levesley
Liam Jones
Chris Thomas
Jack Goodey
Ronny Kynes
Rhys Clarke
Rhodri Dicks
Damien Hudd
Rob Sevenoaks
Joe Franchi
Ross Jones
Ryan Gardner
Dale Tucker
Jordan Howells
Dai Jones
Mike Preece
John Dawe
Dawid Rubnasiak
Max Williams
Joe Bartlett
Gethin Robinson
Jonny Bowen
Ian George
This is a reminder that the club shop will be open on Thursday evening between 6.30pm and 8.00pm.
There are a still a few Childs Replica shirt orders to be collected as well aa several pre-ordered Christmas mugs.
There are a few extra mugs available as well as Replica kits and a variety of leisure wear items.
This is the Last chance to buy some Steelmen merchandise for Christmas!