This Foster’s Challenge Cup game came to life in the second half after a first period dominated by Pontypridd who only had two early tries to show for all their supremacy. Both clubs entered into the spirit of the competition by fielding players on permit from other clubs, and Ponty’s team seemed to gel more quickly. After the interval, Ebbw, led for the first time by Joe Bartlett, came right back into it with some great runnng from Chris Levesley who split the visitors’ defence repeatedly. Tries came from Kier Hughes, to round off a fluent backs move , with Josh Congreve showing lovely hands, and driving mauls that saw Dawid Rubasniak and Christian Francis crossing. Dai Langdon converted one.

Many thanks are due to Beddau RFC, Brecon RFC, Brynmawr RFC, Newbridge RFC Newport Gwent Dragons and Tredegar RFC for releasing players.

Ebbw team:

Dan Haymond, Chris Levesley,  Jordan Howells, Tom Watkins, Kier Hughes (Brynmawr); Dai Langdon, Ben Ellis; Joel Harries (NGD, Nicky Thomas, Joshua James (Newbridge); Joe Bartlett (capt), Max Williams (NGD); Blain Meek (Newbridge), Dawid Rubasniak (NGD), Josh Jacas.
Bench: Jonny Bowen (Brecon), Steffan Blackmore (Brynmawr), Ross Jones, Christian Francis (Beddau), Curtis Gregory (Tredegar), Dai Jones, Joshua Congreve (Brynmawr).

Scorers:
Tries Kier Hughes, Dawid Rubasniak, Christian Francis. Con Dai Langdon.

Half time score was Ebbw Vale 0 Pontypridd 14
Full time score was Ebbw Vale 17 Pontypridd 31