Match Report – Llandovery RFC 28 Ebbw Vale RFC 31

Steelmen claim the shield

Ebbw came away from Church Bank with a nail-biting win and a successful challenge to grab the SRC Challenge Shield from Llandovery in the Drover`s first home game of the season on an afternoon that was played in dry but windy conditions.

The away side scored the first points of the afternoon when flyhalf Evan Lloyd successfully kicked a penalty from just outside the Drovers twenty-two. However, the hosts soon hit back with a break up the wing from inside their own half ended with fullback Jac Davies crossing the line to score a well taken try, outside half Steffan-Jac Jones added the extras.

Ebbw Vale coach Jason Strange was forced into an early change when in form flanker Ewan McIntyre was replaced by Jack Pope due to injury.

The away side reduced the deficit to one point when number ten Lloyd slotted his second penalty from a similar position to his first one. Marksman Lloyd then put his team into the lead for the first time during the afternoon with his third successful penalty.

Both teams were reduced to fourteen men when an altercation occurred which resulted in the steelmen`s flyhalf Evan Lloyd and Llandovery prop Berian Watkins spending ten minutes in the sin bin. From a lineout in the home side`s twenty-two the Ebbw Vale pack built up ahead of steam with a rolling maul which ended with captain Joe Franchi crashing over the line. In Lloyd’s absence centre Ethan Phillips was unsuccessful with the conversion.

Just prior to halftime Llandovery converted their pressure into points with second row Will Evans using his power to cross the line. Flyhalf Jones levelled the scores just before halftime.

Halftime: Llandovery RFC 14 Ebbw Vale RFC 14

Shortly into the second half the visitors were forced into their second change of the afternoon when influential outside centre Ethan Phillips was replaced by Cameron Davies.

With the Ebbw Vale forwards having the grit between their teeth, from a lineout inside the Drovers twenty-two, another rolling maul was finished off by captain Franchi scoring his second try of the game. Lloyd kicked the conversion from a difficult angle to put his team seven points ahead.

Further changes by the Steelmen management saw experienced prop Luke Garrett be replaced by Morgan Davies.

A lovely fifty twenty-two kick by Ebbw`s Lloyd put the visitor`s on the front foot with a lineout in the hosts twenty-two. After sustained pressure by the visitors a good backs move was rounded off by young winger Harry Rees-Weldon diving over in the corner to score Ebbw Vale`s third try of the game. number ten Lloyd successfully kicked another difficult conversion.

Strange made two more changes to the side when hooker Ieaun Morris came on for captain Joe Franchi and Lewis Young replaced number eight Ryan Jenkins.

However, the momentum changed when the home side were camped in Ebbw Vale`s twenty-two. Referee Rhys Jones sent Ebbw second row Dylan Bartlett to the sin bin for an infringement. With the extra man, the Drovers made their numerical advantage count when hooker Taylor Davies scored a try. Replacement outside half Jack Maynard kicked the conversion.

The Steelmen were given an opportunity to go more than one score ahead from a penalty inside the hosts half. However, marksman Lloyd was uncharacteristically off target with his kick.

The home side levelled the game for the second time when replacement hooker Finn Thomas crashed over the line. Maynard levelled the scores with the conversion.

The final change of the afternoon for the away side saw prop Adam Williams be replaced by Owen Hatherill with approximately five minutes left.

With time running out referee Jones awarded Ebbw a penalty to give the Steelmen a chance to come away from Church Bank with the victory. Lloyd stepped up with the final kick of the game to send the ball through the middle of the uprights to win the game and claim the shield for the away side.

Fulltime: Llandovery RFC 28 Ebbw Vale RFC 31 

Tries: Joe Franchi (2), Harry Rees-Weldon (1)

Conversions: Evan Lloyd (2)

Penalties: Evan Lloyd (4)

Picture courtesy of NCR Photography

Ebbw Vale`s next game is at home against RGC on Saturday 12^th of October 2024 with kick off at 2:30pm where they will defend the SRC Challenger Shield for the first time.

Written by Alex Kinsella-Evans