Monthly Archives: April 2024
Ebbw take the spoils against Pontypool
The Steelmen gained revenge for defeat in the reverse fixture earlier in the season, in a game that was again played in front of the S4C Clic cameras on a Thursday evening.
With the hosts gaining the upper hand in the scrum, Ebbw Vale were quick to get the first points of the game, when full back Evan Lloyd kicked a penalty early on.
However, the leagues top point scorer was unable to double his sides advantage soon after, when the referee awarded another penalty to Ebbw.
After the visitors got into the game, a well struck penalty by Pooler outside half Matthew Jarvis brought the game level at three a piece. Jarvis was also off target with a penalty moments later to keep the score level.
A good passage of play by the Steelmen backs, saw centre Ethan Phillip pull of a trademark move by slicing through the away side’s defence. With what looked like just the full back to beat, an excellent ankle tap tackle saw Phillips go to ground and the play came to nothing.
With only minutes left of the first half, Ebbw Vale coach Jason Strange was forced into making his first substitution of the evening. Co-captain Rhys Francis was forced off with an injury, on what was likely to be his final home appearance before retiring. Fellow co-captain Joe Franchi replaced hooker Francis.
The first try of the evening came to the home side on the stroke of halftime. Fullback Evan Lloyd excellently caught a clearing kick from the away side around the halfway line. With flyhalf Kieran Meek inside him, Lloyd offloaded to the number ten. With plenty to do, the Ebbw flyhalf carved his wave through the visitor’s defence to pass to the supporting Ethan Phillips. With the centre about to be tackled, Phillips offloaded the ball to winger Harry Rees-Weldon, who showed his pace by beating a defender and going over in the corner. Fullback Lloyd was unable to add the extras.
Half Time: Ebbw Vale RFC 8 Pontypool RFC 3
Pontypool came out for the second half with a point to prove. From a lineout inside the Ebbw Vale twenty-two number eight Scott Matthews charged at the hosts defenders. Seeing a gap on the inside the number passed inside to the supporting Morgan Lloyd and the youngster raced over the line unopposed. Jarvis successfully added the conversion to put the away side in front for the time in the evening.
With the game swinging one way, then the other, Ebbw Vale full back Lloyd was successful with another penalty to put the Steelmen back in front by one point.
The away side were given another opportunity to regain the lead through a penalty. However, number ten Jarvis was off target with his effort.
The hosts coach Strange made a raft of changes. Props Morgan Davies, Owen Hatherill, flanker Lewis Young and number eight Owen Conquer replaced Luke Garrett, Adam Court, Ben Main and Ryan Jenkins.
Ebbw were offered a further opportunity to extend their lead further. However, Lloyd was unsuccessful with his attempt at goal.
A further change by Strange, saw the home side’s centre Dominic Franchi be replaced by Cameron Davies.
The decisive score of the game came in the sixty ninth minute. From a lineout just inside the Pontypool half, the ball made its way out to the Ebbw Vale midfield. With plenty of defenders in front of him, flanker Lewis Young charged his way through the defence to offload to the supporting Evan Lloyd. With the full back running into the away side’s twenty-two at pace, only a covering tackle denied Lloyd the try. Ebbw scrum half Jon Evan was quick to pick up the ball, run up the blindside and pass to the overlapping Ethan Phillips, for the centre to barge over the line out wide. Lloyd was unsuccessful with his attempt from the touchline.
The hosts final replacements of the evening saw scrum half Rory Harries and full back Morgan Richards replace Jon Evans and Evan Lloyd.
No further points were added to the scoreline in a game that was likely to be Ebbw Vale’s last home game of the season.
Full Time: Ebbw Vale RFC 16 Pontypool RFC 10
Tries: Harry Rees Weldon (1), Ethan Phillips (1)
Penalties: Evan Lloyd (2)
After the game we spoke with Ebbw Vale winger and try scorer Harry Rees Weldon. Harry thought it was a hard-fought game, which the squad made harder than it should have been. He added the team needed momentum during the game, which they were unable to find, especially in the middle third and believed Ebbw were lucky to come away with the win.
We also spoke with Pontypool and ex-Ebbw vale second row Ashley Sweet. Ashley said it was a very hard game, one which they knew it was going to be. He added Pontypool have had a cracking season. They pride themselves on being physical and staying in battles, which we did during the game. Ashley thought it was a good game.
Discussing his return to the ground, Ashley thought It is fantastic. He added having been at Ebbw Vale for so long, it holds a dear place in his heart. Ashley finished by stating coming back brought back some good memories.
Written by Alex Kinsella-Evans
The Steelmen March On
Ebbw came away from Carmarthen with a win, after playing in front of the TV cameras in a game that was played in tough weather conditions.
Jason Strange made numerous changes to his side, which saw ten players under the age of twenty-one involved.
The visitors were quick out of the blocks. After being awarded a penalty in the Quins half inside the first minute, outside half Kieran Meek kicked to touch. After winning the lineout inside the hosts twenty-two the forwards set up a rolling maul. With the backs joining in, hooker Ieuan Morris was on hand to dive over the line to score the opening try. Fly half Meek was unsuccessful with the conversion.
Inside ten minutes the away side doubled their try tally. With the home side attempting to go through the phases just inside the Ebbw Vale half, winger Hamish Anderson intercepted a pass and ran half the length of the field unopposed to score for the Steelmen. Meek added the extras.
Within a few minutes, Carmarthen immediately hit back. From a lineout inside the Ebbw Vale twenty-two, sloppy play at the lineout saw the hosts centre Iestyn Gwilliam dive on the ball over the try line. Number ten Charlie Titcombe brought his team back to within five points.
The hosts reduced the deficit further from a successful penalty by outside half Titcombe just on the Ebbw Vale five metre line.
On around the thirty minute mark Ebbw fly-half Meek successfully kicked a penalty after good work by the forwards saw the Steelmen nearly score a third try, only for referee Ben Breakspear to penalise Carmarthen.
The Quins were to draw level shortly after. A good take and run from his own twenty-two by outside half Titcombe resulted in full back Rhodri Davies scoring an excellent team try. Titcombe again added the two points to put the home side in front for the first time in the game.
With the half drawing to a close, a lose kick by the visitors, saw a home side player chip the ball over the top of the Steelmen’s defence from the half way line. A handling error on the floor by the covering defence, saw the ball go free for the hosts full back Davies to score his second and Carmarthen’s third try of the game. Titcombe was successful with the conversion to extend the home sides lead to nine points going into the interval.
Half Time: Carmarthen Quins RFC 24 Ebbw Vale RFC 15
The visitor’s coach Strange started to make substitutions. Fullback Morgan Richards was replaced by Ewan Bowden and E Evans came on for Ewan McIntyre.
The first points of the second half came from a penalty to Ebbw. Trying to play out from their own twenty-two, Carmarthen were penalised for holding on, with Ebbw Vale flanker Lewis Young looking to win a turnover.
The Steelmen’s coach Strange made further changes by replacing number eight Owen Conquer with Ben Main and prop Morgan Williams came on for Morgan Davies. Further replacements saw co-captain Rhys Francis replace hooker Ieuan Morris, prop Harry Drane come off for Owen Hatherill and try scorer Hamish Anderson was replaced by Ryan Gardner.
With the forwards going through phase after phase, prop Owen Hatherill drove over the line from a yard out to score the decisive try. Number ten Meek added the two points to put Ebbw in the lead by one point with approximately fifteen minutes to go.
A further change by Ebbw Vale coach Strange saw scrum half Dylan Davies come on for the injured substitute Ewan Bowden.
With less than five minutes to go, flyhalf Meek scored the final points of the game from with a penalty to extend the away side’s lead to four points.
Despite late pressure, the Quins were unable to get over the tryline and the referee Breakspear blew his whistle to bring the game to an end.
FT: Carmarthen Quins RFC 24 Ebbw Vale RFC 28
Tries: Ieaun Morris (1), Hamish Anderson (1), Owen Hatherill (1)
Conversions: Kieran Meek (2)
Penalties: Kieran Meek (3)
Ebbw Vale’s next game is at home at the Ciner Glass Community Stadium on Thursday 18th April 2024 against Pontypool RFC in front of the S4C Clic cameras, with kick-off at 7:30pm
Written By Alex Kinsella-Evans
Ebbw claim another 5 pointer
Ebbw Vale secured a place in the play offs with two games to spare, after claiming a bonus point victory at home against Aberavon.
The hosts were quick out of the blocks. A penalty within minutes of kick off by full back Evan Lloyd saw the home side take an early lead.
With the Steelmen well on top, a dangerous break by scrum half Rory Harries from around the half way line saw the scrum half carve open the away sides defence. With just the full back to beat, Harries drew the man and attempted to pass inside to support runners, only for Aberavon’s full back Steff Andrews to knock the ball on. Referee Gareth Newman adjudged the away sides full back to have deliberately knocked the ball on and showed Andrews a yellow card and awarded Ebbw a penalty try.
Moments later the home side extended their lead further. An excellent break by winger Ryan Gardner took Ebbw Vale into the Aberavon half. Quick ball out to the backs saw centre Ethan Phillips make a further break and pass to full back Evan Lloyd to cross the line. Lloyd successfully added the two points to put the hosts twenty points in the lead.
With the wind behind them, two successful penalties by Lloyd saw the Steelmen go into the half time interval with a twenty six point lead.
Half Time: Ebbw Vale RFC 26 Aberavon RFC 0
The away side came out for the second half and started to gain some time with the ball and territory. Within minutes of the restart Aberavon outside half James Davies got his sides first points of the game from a penalty.
Ebbw Vale full back Lloyd successfully kicked a penalty for Ebbw to put his side back in front by 26 points.
The Steelmen’s coach Jason Strange replaced scrum half Rory Harries with Jon Evans and moments later the front row of Morgan Davies, Joe Franchi and Adam Court were replaced by Luke Garrett, Ieuan Morris and Owen Hatherill. Further changes by Strange saw centre Dom Franchi come off for Cameron Davies and Morgan Richards came on for Kieran Meek.
Midway through the second half Aberavon scored their first try of the afternoon. A good team break saw winger Chris Banfield finish off the move in the corner. Fly half Davies was unable to add the extras.
Ebbw responded within ten minutes. Quick ball from a ruck inside the Aberavon twenty-two saw the ball go out to Lewis Young on the wing. With supporting players inside him, Young dived over the line to score his sides third try of the afternoon. Lloyd was unsuccessful with the conversion from out wide.
Further changes by Ebbw saw second row Dylan Bartlett leave the field to be replaced by Jakub Malecki and flanker Ben Main came off for Rhys Francis, who was playing in an unfamiliar position.
With the final play of the game, Ebbw had control of the ball just inside the visitor’s half. Quick ball out to Ethan Phillips saw the centre make a clean break and go over the try line under the posts unopposed to score the Steelmen’s bonus point try. Evan Lloyd kicked the conversion with the final kick of the ball.
Full Time: Ebbw Vale RFC 41 Aberavon RFC 8
Man Of The Match: Curtis Gregory
Tries: Penalty try, Evan Lloyd, Lewis Young, Ethan Phillips
Conversions: Evan Lloyd (3)
Penalties: Evan Lloyd (5)
After the game we spoke with Ebbw Vale centre Cameron Davies. Cameron thought it was a good game overall, the squad worked really hard under pressure. Cameron thought the team pressured and squeezed Aberavon and was happy to come away with the win.
Ebbw Vale’s next game is away to Carmarthen Quins in front of the S4C Clic camera’s on Thursday 11th April 2024, with kick off at 7:30pm.
Written by Alex Kinsella-Evans
Ebbw claim five points on the road
The Steelmen came away from St Helens with a bonus point victory after an entertaining game was played in weather conditions that changed during the afternoon.
The visitors surged into an early lead, after good play by the forwards in the hosts twenty-two, saw scrum half Jon Evans send the ball out wide for winger Ewan Bowden to go over out wide for the games first try. Full back for the day Evan Lloyd was unsuccessful with the conversion.
The away side soon doubled their try tally. From first phase ball off the top of the lineout just outside the All Whites twenty-two, the Ebbw Vale forwards took the game to the home side. With each forward surge making inroads inside the hosts twenty-two, second row Dylan Barlett collected a pass and barged over the try line to score. Full back Lloyd added the extras.
With the Swansea backs starting to get some ball, an excellent break by full back Harri Houston from inside his own half, saw the number fifteen glide through the Ebbw defence. With one man to beat, the fullback drew his man and passed to supporting winger Llien Morgan to go over unopposed for a well taken try. Outside half Luke Scully successfully kicked the conversion.
However, the Steelmen were to respond immediately. With an improved lineout going well, the ball made its way out to outside centre Ethan Phillips. With a lot still to do, the centre showed his gas to go over the try line untouched from around the halfway line to score an excellent individual try. On this occasion Lloyd was unable to add the two points.
The final score of the half was to come from the boot of the All Whites fly half Luke Scully to bring his side within seven points of the away side. With the hosts looking likely to score a try in the visitors twenty-two, referee Ben Connor awarded the hosts a penalty and showed Ebbw Vale scrum half Jon Evans a yellow card for ill-discipline.
Half Time: Swansea RFC 10 Ebbw Vale RFC 17
The second half started with both sides taking it to each other. Referee Connor awarding penalties to both sides. However, neither side were able to take advantage and add to the scoreline.
The Steelmen’s coach Jason Strange decided to replace Co-captain Rhys Francis and prop Morgan Davies with fellow co-captain Joe Franchi and Luke Garrett.
With Swansea seeing more and more of the ball and territory, Ebbw coach Strange made further changes with prop Owen Hatherill replacing Adam Court and flankers Ewan McIntyre and Lewis Young coming on for Ben Main and Cameron Regan.
The All Whites soon brought the game level. Patient play by the home side saw centre Tom Florence score the first try of the afternoon. Fly half Scully levelled the score.
The Ebbw Vale replacements were starting to make their mark, especially in the scrum. After a good team move in the hosts twenty-two, referee Connor awarded Swansea centre Florence a yellow card for stopping what looked like a certain try illegally.
With the visitors getting the upper hand in the scrum and the referee awarding the away side penalty after penalty, the Steelmen were to score the decisive try. With a dominant pack pushing the scrum, quick ball out to the backs by scrum half Evans saw outside half Kieran Meek put in a lovely chip kick into space out wide for returning winger Ryan Gardner to catch the ball and score Ebbw’s bonus point try. Lloyd successfully kicked the conversion from a difficult angle.
With Swansea camping themselves in the Ebbw Vale twenty-two and pushing to try and bring the game level, the away side’s coach Strange made his side’s final change of the afternoon by replacing scrum half Jon Evans with Rory Harries.
Despite late sustained pressure by the All whites, the home side were unable to take advantage and referee Connor brought the game to a close.
Full Time: Swansea RFC 17 Ebbw Vale RFC 24
After the match we spoke with Ebbw Vale winger and try scorer Ryan Gardner. Ryan acknowledged it was a tough contest. He thought the team started well and built up a lead, but credit to Swansea as they managed to claw themselves back into the game. However, the winger was happy the team were able to hold Swansea out at the end.
Finally, Ryan was happy to have scored a try. He stated it had been a long road to recovery over the past 15 months after injury. However, he said it was good to be back with the boys and get over the line in the game.
Tries: Ewan Bowden (1), Dylan Bartlett (1), Ethan Phillips (1), Ryan Gardner (1)
Conversions: Evan Lloyd (2)
Ebbw Vale`s next game is at home against Aberavon RFC at the Ciner Glass Community Stadium in the Indigo Premiership on Saturday April 6th 2024 with kick off at 14:30pm.
Written by Alex Kinsella-Evans