Monthly Archives: April 2025
CHANGE OF DATE
The SRC Playoff Quarter-Final match against Carmarthen Quins has been moved to Saturday 3rd May with a 7.30pm kickoff at the CINER GLASS Community Stadium.
The Steelmen would like to thank our friends at Ebbw Vale Cricket Club and Carmarthen Quins for their support and cooperation in this change of fixture date.
Purchase tickets in advance here, https://www.evrfc.co.uk/product/3rd-may-ebbw-vale-v-carmarthen-quins/
#FeelTheSteel
The SRC Playoff Q/F against Carmarthen Quins will take place on Saturday, 3rd May, with a 7.30 pm kickoff.
The Steelmen would like to thank our friends at Ebbw Vale CC for their cooperation in allowing the Steelmen to use the pitch out of season. The Steelmen would also like to thank Carmarthen Quins for agreeing to travel to the CINER GLASS Community Stadium on Sunday.
Match Details
Ebbw Vale RFC v Carmarthen Quins RFC
Saturday 3rd May
7.30 pm
CINER GLASS Community Stadium
Admission Details
The prices for admission to the game are as follows:
Ebbw Vale RFC Vice President Season Ticket Holders – FREE entry
Ebbw Vale RFC Season Ticket Holders (Adult) – £10 entry
Ebbw Vale RFC Season Ticket Holders (Concession) – £6 entry
Under 16s free (with an adult)
Non-Ebbw Vale RFC Season Ticket Holders (Adult) – £14 entry
Non-Ebbw Vale RFC Season Ticket Holders (Concession) – £10 entry
Purchase tickets in advance here, https://www.evrfc.co.uk/product/3rd-may-ebbw-vale-v-carmarthen-quins/
PLEASE NOTE: Reduced price tickets for Ebbw Vale RFC members cannot be bought online. You can pay by cash or card on match day, provided you produce your season ticket.
#FeelTheSteel
The Steelmen became the first winners of the SRC Challengers Shield last weekend following their 21 -17 win over Swansea RFC at the CINER GLASS Community Stadium.
The Challengers Shield was originally held by Llandovery RFC at the start of the season, as the current league champions. The shield was to be defended at their home games during the season until they were defeated. The Steelmen defeated Llandovery by 31 -28 at Church Bank in October with a last minute penalty kick from Evan Lloyd to gain the Challengers Shield for the first time
Since then. The Steelmen have defended the Shield 7 times at the CINER GLASS Community Stadium to become the inaugural winners of the Challengers Shield.
These matches were against:
RGC winning 31 – 16
Cardiff RFC winning 32 – 20
Pontypool RFC winning 34 – 3
Newport RFC winning 20 – 5
Bridgend Ravens winning 48 -17
Carmarthen Quins winning 40 – 20
Swansea RFC winning 21 – 17
The Steelmen will start the 2025/26 season as the holders of the Challengers Shield.
Picture courtesy of Ebbw Players
The Steelmen finished the regular season unbeaten at the CINER GLASS Community Stadium winning all 9 matches in Super Rygbi Cymru and 2 matches in the SRC Cup.
The Steelmen will have home advantage in the quarter-finals of the playoffs with opponents to be confirmed.
#FeelTheSteel
Ebbw Vale RFC would like to congratulate the 4 players selected in the SRC Team of the Year 2024/25. The Steelmen front row of Luke Garrett, Joe Franchi and Adam Williams were selected on block, as well as exciting young centre, Cameron Davies, who has had a great season since joining from the Dragons Academy in the summer.
There was further good news for the Steelmen when it was announced, that after a public online vote, Harry Rees-Weldon’s try against Newport RFC had won the SRC Try of the Season.
Da iawn, boys!
#FeelTheSteel
AUTUMN INTERNATIONALS 2025
The Autumn International Fixtures have been announced for 2025.
Wales will play four Test matches at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff during the 2025 Autumn Internationals.
Argentina will be Wales’ first opponents on Sunday 9th November, followed by Japan six days later. New Zealand will visit Cardiff on Saturday 22nd November, before the campaign concludes against South Africa on Saturday 29th November.
Click on the photo to see the full list.
WRU have a ticket discount scheme in place for anyone purchasing tickets through their club.
Please send us a direct message through the Ebbw Vale RFC Facebook Messenger page if you’d like to order tickets for the Autumn Internationals
Steelmen take second place
Ebbw Vale won their final home game of the league season, before taking a well-earned rest and play the quarter final at home in a fortnight.
The first try of the game came in familiar fashion. Having been awarded a penalty inside the Swansea half, outside half for the afternoon Ethan Phillips sent the ball into the corner to set up a lineout to the home side. Having won the lineout, hooker Joe Franchi finished off the rolling maul by powering over the line. Winger Ewan Bowden sent the ball through the centre of the posts.
The visitors quickly struck back. Full back Harri Houston took advantage of an error by the home side to show his pace and go over the line unopposed. Fly half Tal Rees successfully added the extras to level the game.
Good defence by the All Whites stopped the home side from scoring a second try from a rolling maul at the lineout.
The second try to the home side was soon to follow. Another penalty by Phillips was sent to the corner. After setting up another rolling maul, hooker Franchi saw a gap in the Swansea defence and used his strength to break away and power over the line to score his second try of the game. Kicker Bowden added the extras.
With the half ending, the away side scored their second try of the game. After winning a lineout in the Ebbw half, a good move by the Swansea backs was finished off with winger Ieuan Cornelius. Number ten Rees sent the ball wide of the posts with his conversion attempt.
Half Time: Ebbw Vale RFC 14 Swansea RFC 12
Steelmen coach Jason Strange made a change during the break. The sides top try scorer and captain Joe Franchi was replaced by Ieuan Morris. Moments later further changes by the home side saw scrum half Dan Buffery and prop Morgan Davies be replaced by Rory Harries and Luke Garrett.
With the All Whites spending time in the hosts half, they were unable to convert their possession into points when good defence by the Steelmen kept them out.
The away side were reduced to fourteen men. A powerful run by Ebbw’s number eight Ryan Jenkins was deemed to be stopped by a professional foul by the visitors’ prop Ed Thompson.
With the numerical advantage, Steelmen fly half Phillips chipped to the corner to set up the lineout. Having won the lineout, the home side’s forwards set up another rolling maul which ended with replacement hooker Ieuan Morris powering over the line. Bowden again added the two points to put Ebbw more than one score ahead.
Changes to the Ebbw Vale pack saw prop Adam Court and back rower Owen Conquer come on for Adam Williams and Cameron Regan.
Having given away penalties in their twenty-two, another penalty awarded to the away side saw Steelmen’s flanker Sion Parry be sent to the sin bin for ten minutes. However, despite the visitors’ best efforts, the home sides magnificent defence kept them out.
Further changes to the home side saw full back Morgan Richards replace Matt Jones and second row Ewan McIntyre be replaced by Gethin Williams. Another change saw flanker Sion Parry come off for Lewis Young.
With both sides trying their best to score, the final try of the game was scored by the All Whites with the last play. Having gone through phases of play, a cross the field kick saw the ball fall into the hands of full back Houston. With a neat finish, the full back went over the line out wide. The resulting conversion hit the post to bring the game to a close.
Full Time: Ebbw Vale RFC 21 Swansea RFC 17
Try scorers: Joe Franchi (2), Ieuan Morris (1)
Conversions: Ewan Bowden (3)
After the game we spoke with scrum half Dan Buffery. Dan acknowledged the effect fatigue had played this week, considering the team had played against Newport on the Sunday and Aberavon on Wednesday. He thought the team gave away some penalties, especially through discipline. However, he was happy to have won the game and finish second in the league.
Ebbw Vale have a two-week break before they play the quarter final play off at home against either RGC 1404 or Carmarthen Quins RFC on Saturday 3rd May 2025, with kick off at 2:30pm.
Written by Alex Kinsella-Evans
The Steelmen play their 3rd match in 7 days when they face Swansea RFC in the final round of Super Rygbi Cymru. The match will see the Steelmen look to secure a top 2 spot as they head into the end of season playoff. They will also defend the SRC Challengers Shield for the final time this season
The teams have faced each other twice already this season, both at St Helens, with the Steelmen winning both matches by 40-20 in Super Rygbi Cymru and 33-19 in the SRC Cup.
Jason Strange has named his starting XV for the match. Harry Rees-Welson returns on the wing with Cameron Davies starting at inside centre. Dan Buffery starts his 2nd game at scrum half.
Upfront, Ewan McIntyre and Jack Pope start in the 2nd row and there is a complete change in the front row with Morgan Davies, Joe Franchi and Adam Williams coming into the starting lineup. Cameron Regan and Ryan Jenkins come into the back row with Sion Parry moving back to openside flanker.
The bench will be names shortly before kick-off.
The Steelmen starting XV is:
15 Matt Jones 14 Harry Rees-Weldon 13 Ethan Phillips 12 Cameron Davies 11 Ewan Bowden 10 Evan Lloyd 9 Dan Buffery
1 Morgan Davies 2 Joe Franchi 3 Adam Williams 4 Ewan McIntyre 5 Jack Pope 6 Cameron Regan 7 Sion Parry 8 Ryan Jenkins
Replacements: TBC
Match Information
Ebbw Vale RFC v Swansea RFC
Saturday 19th April
2.30pm
CINER GLASS Community Stadium
The Steelmen return to action against Aberavon RFC this evening, just 3 days since their last match in Super Rygbi Cymru.
The Steelmen last faced Aberavon RFC back in September 2024 in the first round of Super Rygbi Cymru winning by 34 -22.
Jason Strange has made 8 changes to the starting XV that faced Newport on Sunday with Morgan Richards returning on the wing. Dan Buffery makes his first start at scrum half while there are 6 changes in the pack.
Replacements will be announced shortly before kick-off.
The full Steelmen starting XV is:
15 Matt Jones 14 Ewan Bowden 13 Ethan Phillips 12 Dom Franchi © 11 Morgan Richards 10 Evan Lloyd 9 Dan Buffery
1 Luke Garrett 2 Ieuan Morris 3 Adam Court 4 Jack Pope 5 Curtis Gregory 6 Sion Parry 7 Kobi Rees 8 Lewis Young
REPLACEMENTS: TBC
The Addicts will be providing transport to the game. They will be leaving the Welfare at 5.30pm
Match Info
Aberavon RFC v Ebbw Vale RFC
7.30pm
Talbot Athletic Ground
Match Preview
The Steelmen travel to Rodney Parade this afternoon to face Newport RFC, at the start of a very busy 7 days, which will see the Steelmen play 3 matches in the SRC.
This will be the third meeting between the two teams this season with the teams having previously played twice at the CINER GLASS Community Stadium, the Steelmen winning both games, 20 – 5 in the SRC and 44 -21 in the SRC Cup.
Jason Strange has made a number of changes to the starting XV from the match against Carmarthen Quins. Dom Franchi returns in the centre with Ethan Phillips moving onto the wing.
Upfront only Dylan Bartlett and Curtis Gregory retain their places in the starting XV with a complete new front row and back row being selected.
Replacements will be announced shortly before kick-off.
The Steelmen starting XV is as follows:
15 Matt Jones 14 Ewan Bowden 13 Cameron Davies 12 Dom Franchi 11 Ethan Phillips 10 Evan Lloyd 9 Rory Harries
1 Morgan Davies 2 Joe Franchi 3 Adam Williams 4 Dylan Bartlett 5 Curtis Gregory 6 Cameron Regan 7 Sion Parry 8 Ryan Jenkins
Replacements: TBC
Match Details
Newport RFC v Ebbw Vale RFC
Sunday 13th March
Rodney Parade
2.30pm
Travel Information
PLEASE NOTE: Today also sees the Newport Marathon taking place. Please make sure to check the road closures around Newport throughout the day to help with your travel
The road closures set to be in place on Sunday (April 13) for the Newport Marathon Festival are:
Usk Way – by the start and finish line will be closed from 3am on Sunday, April 16 until 7pm.
High Street and Skinner Street – will be closed from 8.30am until 10.30am.
Usk Way and entrance to A48 – will be closed between 7.30am and 3.30pm (entry and exit from East Docks Estate for residents and businesses will be managed).
A48 eastbound – will be closed between 7.30am and 11.15am.
A48 westbound – will be closed from 7.30am until 11.15am.
Corporation Road – will be closed from 8.40am until 3pm.
Traston Road – will be closed from 7.30am until 2.45pm.
Traston Road Estate – will be closed from 8.40am until 10.15am and access will managed for residents from 10.15am until 2.45pm.
Nash Road – various sections of Nash Road will be closed at different times. The northern half of the road will be closed between 8.40am and 2.30pm. While the southern half will be closed between 9am and 2.20pm.
Nash and RSPB – Roads will be closed from 9am until 12.30pm. Then entry and exit will be managed, when possible, to and from Meadows Road between 12.30am and 2.20pm.
Broad Street Common and Starits Lane – will be closed from 9am until 2.20pm.
Goldcliff Road and Whitson Common Road – will closed from 9am until 2pm.
Parish Reen, Bowleaze Reen and North Row – will all be closed between 9am and 3.10pm. Access to North Row Estate will be managed (for vehicles) between 9am and 9.45am
Ebbw claim another six pointer
A second half hat trick of tries by captain Joe Franchi saw Ebbw Vale claim six points from a game that was still in the balance after 60 minutes.
The Steelmen came out of the blocks slowly against a determined Carmarthen side.
The away side were the first team to put points on the board when Quins outside half Elis Price sent a penalty through the middle of the posts.
After being awarded a penalty around the halfway line, the hosts number ten Evan Lloyd sent the ball into the Quins twenty-two for a lineout to the home side. From the lineout the referee awarded a further penalty which Lloyd again sent to the corner. From the lineout, the home side scored their first try of the afternoon, when from a rolling maul hooker Ieuan Morris crashed over the line to score. Lloyd successfully kicked the conversion.
Ebbw Vale were forced into a first half change when full back Matt Jones was replaced by debutant Gethin O’Callaghan due to injury.
The visitors soon reduced the deficit to one point, when Quins flyhalf Price was successful with another penalty.
With the game approaching half time, Carmarthen retook the lead. Hooker Lewis Morgan scored from close range. Price successfully added the two points.
Half Time: Ebbw Vale RFC 7 Carmarthen Quins RFC 13
During the halftime interval Ebbw coach Jason Strange replaced the front row of Luke Garrett, Ieuan Morris and Adam Court with Morgan Davies, Joe Franchi and Adam Williams, as well as Sion Parry entering the field at seven, at the expense of Kobi Rees.
The Steelmen were reduced to fourteen men when second row Dylan Bartlett was shown a yellow card for an altercation in the lineout.
Further changes to the home side saw the experienced Cameran Regan and Lewis Young come onto the field for Jack Pope and Owen Conquer.
The first points of the second half came when from a lineout inside the away side’s twenty-two, the Ebbw pack set up a driving maul which resulted in hooker Joe Franchi scoring his first try of the game. Lloyd was successful with the conversion to put the hosts a point into the lead.
The Quins soon hit back. After loose play in the middle of the pitch, a kick through saw the visitors centre Jac Howels collect the ball unopposed and score under the posts. Replacement flyhalf Aled Thomas added the extras.
With the Ebbw Vale replacements making an impact, the referee awarded a penalty to the home side. Lloyd kicked to the corner. From the resulting lineout, the forwards set up another rolling maul, which again saw hooker Franchi power his way over the line. Number ten Lloyd added the two points to put Ebbw back in front by a point.
With the hosts scrum starting to win penalties, flyhalf Lloyd sent another penalty to the corner. From the lineout, the forwards further showed their strength by setting up another rolling maul, which finished with Joe Franchi scoring his third try of the game. On this occasion, Lloyd was unable to add the extras.
Not looking to let up, the Steelmen forwards had the grit between their teeth and kept taking it to the visitors. After going through phase after phase inside the Carmarthen twenty-two, second row Curtis Gregory was on hand to touch down. Lloyd sent the conversion through the posts to give Ebbw a thirteen-point lead.
The visitors were reduced to fourteen men for the remainder of the game when the referee sent a player to the sin bin for ill discipline during the hosts try.
Ebbw coach Strange made his teams final change of the afternoon by replacing scrum half Rory Harries with Dan Buffrey.
With the game entering the eightieth minute and a man advantage, the Steelmen were looking to score a final try. With the forwards putting the pressure on the away sides defence, quick ball to centre Cameron Davies, saw the young centre spot space in the Quins defence. At pace, Davies run an excellent line to score the games final try. Lloyd successfully kicked the conversion to bring the game to a close.
Full Time: Ebbw Vale RFC 40 Carmarthen Quins RFC 20
Tries: Ieuan Morris (1), Joe Franchi (3), Curtis Gregory (1), Cameron Davies (1)
Conversions: Evan Lloyd (5)
Man of the Match: Joe Franchi
After the game we spoke with flanker Kobi Rees. Kobi thought the team struggled with the scrum, set piece and discipline during the first half. However, he praised the team for their collective effort to turn it around in the second half.
Ebbw Vale RFC next play away to Gwent rivals Newport RFC at Rodney Parade on Sunday 13th April 2025, with kick off at 2:30pm.
Written by Alex Kinsella-Evans
Ebbw Vale RFC v Carmarthen Quins
The Steelmen return to action in Super Rygbi Cymru today when they will defend the SRC Challengers Shield against Carmarthen Quins at the CINER GLASS Community Stadium.
This is the 3rd meeting of the season between the two team with Ebbw Vale winning both previous meetings in Super Rygbi Cymru by 39-11 and the SRC Cup by 24-7.
Jason Strange has announced his starting XV with Ethan Phillips captaining the squad in his first start since returning from injury. Also, after a season affected by illness and injury, Owen Conquer makes a welcome return to the starting XV at number 8. Ieuan Morris continues at hooker with Adam Court coming into the starting lineup at tighthead prop.
The replacements will be announced shortly before kick-off.
The full Ebbw Vale team is as follows
15 Matt Jones 14 Ewan Bowden 13 Ethan Phillips © 12 Cameron Davies 11 Ryan Gardner 10 Evan Lloyd 9 Rory Harries
1 Luke Garrett 2 Ieuan Morris 3 Adam Court 4 Dylan Bartlett 5 Curtis Gregory 6 Jack Pope 7 Kobi Rees 8 Owen Conquer
Replacements
TBC before kick off
Match Day Information
Ebbw Vale RFC v Carmarthen Quins
Saturday 5th April
CINER GLASS Community Stadium
Kick off 2.30pm
Sat Nav Postcode: NP23 5AZ
Admission Prices
FULL: £14
CONCESSION: £10
Please note there are no online ticket purchases for this match, however both card and cash payments will be able to be taken at the game.