“Another ten minutes, we’d have won that,” said an Ebbw supporter after Saturday evening’s match. Perhaps so, given Ebbw’s second half resurgence, but 80 minutes is all you get (unless it’s a cup match in Cardiff!) and Newport had the game sewn up after 40. Although Ebbw took an early lead through two Dan Haymond penalties, the visitors’ lively backs looked dangerous and tries by former Steelman Ryan Gardner and Dai Richards, the latter converted by Matt O’Brien, added to a penalty try, sent Newport into the break leading 22-6. Ebbw created little in the first 40.

A penalty to the corner early in the second half set up a driving line out that sent captain Ashley Sweet over the line and Haymond converted for 22-13. Newport bagged a bonus point when full back Richards, impressive throughout, cut through for his second try, converted by O’Brien. After that, it was all about the comeback. Ebbw’s forwards battered the Black’n’Amber defence, the home scrum got on top and two yellow cards ensued as the pressure told. There was possibly an argument for a penalty try when Newport were penalised four times in rapid succession as their scrum retreated in the 5m zone. Ebbw Man of the Match, Cameron Regan, picked up from a scrum and fed Sam Ireland to score. Haymond’s extras made it 29-20. Ebbw took the restart and surged up field only for Newport to stop the move illegally just metres short of the try line. Cool Ebbw heads opted for the easy 3 pointer, Haymond obliged and the 29-23 score at least gave the Steelmen a bonus point.

The Ebbw squad was;

1) Luke Garrett
2) Joe Franchi
3) Rob Sevenoaks
4) Lance Randall
5) Ashley Sweet
6) Dan Hill
7) Cameron Regan
8) Lewis Young
9) Matthew Flanagan
10) Ethan Phillips
11) Dafydd Thomas
12) Dai Langdon
13) Dom Franchi
14) Paul King
15) Dan Haymond

16) Ross Jones
17) Rhys Francis
18) Morgan Davies
19) Benji Hoppe
20) David Rubasniak
21) Sam Ireland
22) Joe Goodchild
23) Euan Rosser