Games between Ebbw Vale and Bargoed are always tough, and tough to call. Last night’s was no different and, despite having lost their last nine games, Bargoed pushed Ebbw all the way. In truth, they created little but defended bravely and frustrated the Steelmen’s attacking endeavours.

Ebbw’s first score came from a Bargoed attack. Chris Thomas intercepted a long pass and ran free before feeding Chris Levesley who ran in from 40 metres. Dai Langdon’s conversion gave Ebbw a 7-0 lead after 15 minutes.

Bargoed scored next, with left wing David Evans finishing off a move with a try in the corner to make the score 7-5. A Langdon penalty opened up the lead again, as Bargoed’s infringements increased, prompting referee Rhys Thomas to talk at length to Bargoed skipper Leigh Meades.  It was 10-5 to the home team at the break,

Indiscipline by Ebbw early in the second half gave James Hallett the opportuinty to put his team firmly back in contention at 10-8. The rest of the half followed a simple pattern: Ebbw bossing possession and territory, Bargoed defending fiercely and conceding penalties. Occasionally, the Steelmen’s over eagerness led to poor execution. In the last 10 minutes, Mr Thomas finally lost patience with the visitors and awarded yellow cards to Rhys Verdy and Alex Herbert. Ebbw’s scrum superiority was rewarded with a penalty try which Langdon converted to ensure the win, 17-8.

15 Craig Duncan, 14 Srdan Majkic, 13 Nathan Preece, 12 Liam Jones ,11 Chris Levesley; 10 Dai Langdon, 9 Chris Thomas; 1 Ross Jones, 2 Joe Franchi, 3 Rob Sevenoaks, 4 DamienHudd (capt), 5 Rhys Clarke; 6 Harri Keddie, 7 Ronny Kynes, 8 Rory Pitman.

Substitutes 16 Jonny Bowen, 17 Ian George, 18 Gethin Robinson, 19 Rhodri Dicks
20 Dawid Rubasniak, 21 Dai Jones, 22 Jordan Howells, 23 Dan Haymond.

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Gêm agos ar noson oer yn Nglynebwy: dydy rhai pethau ddim yn newid dros y flynyddoedd! Daeth Bargoed i Barc Eugene Cross  ar ôl colli eu naw gem diwethaf ond yn gwybod bod Glynebwy yn ffaelu cyrraedd yr un safon o chwarae â llynedd.

Glynebwy oedd y cyntaf i sgorio ar y chwarter awr, ar ôl i Chris Thomas ryng-gipio pas hir gan Fargoed, a bwydo Chris Levesley. Roedd cyflymder yr asgellwr yn ormod i amddiffyn yr ymwelwyr, ac aeth e drosodd am gais a throswyd gan Dai Langdon.

Sgoriodd Bargoed nesaf, gydag asgellwr chwith David Evans yn gorffen symudiad dagyda chais yn y gornel i wneud y sgôr yn 7-5. Gwnaeth cic cosb Langdon agor y bwlch unwaith eto. Cafodd  capten Bargoed, Leigh Meades, fach o ddarlith gan ddyfarnwr Rhys Thomas achos bod ei dîm yn euog o droseddu tro ar ôl tro.  10 – 5 oedd hi i Lynebwy ar yr egwyl

Ar ddechrau’r ail hanner, rhoddodd annisgyblaeth Glynebwy gyfle i James Hallett ddod â’i dim yn ôl i’r ornest, ond, a dweud y gwir, dilynodd gweddill y gêm batrwm syml iawn: Bargoed yn amddiffyn yn ffyrnig ond yn troseddu yn aml iawn er mwyn rhwystro ymdrechion Glynebwy, a oedd yn rheoli meddiant a thiriogaeth, ond yn ffaelu cymryd mantais.  Yn y 10 munud olaf, collodd Mr Thomas amynedd gyda’r ymwelwyr a dyfarnwyd cardiau melyn i Rhys Verdy ac Alex Herbert. O’r diwedd, cafodd rhagoriaeth sgrym Glynebwy ei gwobrwyo gyda chais cosb. Trosiodd Langdon, a bu Glynebwy yn fuddugoliaethus gan 17-8.