Having not lost to Cardiff since returning to the Premiership, Ebbw arrived at the Arms Park hoping to maintain that proud record, but knowing that the hosts were in tremendous form and unbeaten in the league so far. Speaking before the match, Ebbw’s Head Coach Lee Davies said, “Having reviewed Cardiff’s games up to this point, it is evident they like to play and have the ability to strike from all over. We will have to be at our best to force the result  but I am confident we can produce a performance to be proud of.” His words were to prove prophetic, as the new look Steelmen put in their best shift yet to take the spoils.

Ebbw failed to gather the kick off, and were penalised at the resulting scrum, giving Ben Thomas the chance to pen his team’s account at 3-0. Ebbw hit back immediately and Cameron Regan burst over from short range. Lewis Dennet’s conversion gave Ebbw a 7-3 advantage, but one that proved short lived as the home backs showed their attacking prowess to put Llywarch ap Myrddin over and nudge the Blue and Blacks into an 8-7 lead. The try of the game followed soon afterwards: Ebbw turned Cardiff over at the breakdown – in what was to become a theme of the afteroon – and Cameron Regan broke through to combine with Dom Franchi who punctured the home defences before releasing Carl Lewis to score under the posts. Dennet’s boot made ith 14-8, and extended the lead to 17-8 with a penalty.  Cardiff blew a golden scoring opportunity just before the break when a kick ahead went dead, with centre Lane certain to win the race, and Ebbw went in leading 17-8.

The home side started strongly after the interval, lock Ben White touching down wide out as his fellow forwards battered the Ebbw defence. Thomas’s excellent conversion reduced the margin to two points, but Ebbw’s forward dominance told and penalty chances came. Dennet was on target each time, and the Steelmen led by 23-15 before Srdan Majkic showed great strength to cross wide out. Dennet converted from near the touchline and Ebbw led 30-15, meaning Cardiff needed more than two converted tries to win. They managed one, and a penalty, to come back to 25-30, but Ebbw showed great maturity and calmness to close the game out, finishing deep in Cardiff territory.

It doesn’t get any easier for the Steelmen with Merthyr at ECP next week, then a trip to table topping Bedwas, but they’ll take confidence from this win, as will their supporters who have now seen what this team can do!