Monthly Archives: September 2025

Ebbw secure another six pointer

The Steelmen put together their best performance of the season so far to claim their third six points from the first three games of the season.

The hosts were awarded a penalty within a few minutes of the kick off after referee Ben Breakspear penalised Cardiff. Outside half Dorian Jones successfully kicked the penalty to put the home side three points to the good.

However, the away side soon struck back. After good work by the forwards from a lineout, Gavin Parry scored the games opening try. Fly half Lloyd Lucas added the extras.

Two minutes later the Rags extended their lead after referee Breakspear awarded the visitors a penalty. Number ten Lucas extended their lead to seven points.

From a lineout to Ebbw Vale just outside the Cardiff twenty-two, the forwards set up a good platform for the backs. With the ball making its way to outside half Dorian Jones, the experienced ten made a break, drew the last defender and passed for outside centre Ethan Phillips to cross the line for a well taken try. Fly half Jones successfully kicked the conversion to level the scores.

With the home side getting on top, from a lineout near the try line, the forwards set up a driving maul, which finished with hooker Joe Franchi diving over the line. Jones again kicked the conversion.

The visitors hit back when from two good long passes in the backline, winger Joe Goodchild scored a well finished try in the corner. Lucas was unsuccessful with the conversion.

The hosts coach Jason Strange was forced into a first half change when captain Joe Franchi had to leave the field due to injury and was replaced by Ieuan Morris.

However, the momentum was with the Steelmen and from another lineout inside the Cardiff twenty-two, the forwards, joined by the backs got the maul rolling towards the try line. Referee Breakspear awarded the penalty try after judging the visitors had stopped the maul illegally. Prop Will Davies-King was sent to the sin bin as a result.

Deep into stoppage time the hosts scored their fourth and bonus point try. From an overthrow by the Rags at a lineout in their own twenty-two, replacement hooker Ieuan Morris did well to claim the ball and set up the forwards attempt to charge over the line. Scrum half Rory Harries saw the space out wide and got quick ball to flyhalf Jones, who put in a long pass to outside centre sent Phillips. Using his strength and skill, Phillips spun in the tackle and offloaded to supporting player Morgan Richards who dived over to score. Jones again successfully kicked the conversion.

Half Time: Ebbw Vale RFC 31 Cardiff RFC 15

The first changes by Ebbw Vale in the second half saw Sion Parry return from international duty to replace flanker Lewis Young and prop Morgan Bosanko came on for Luke Garrett.

Within ten minutes of the restart the Steelmen extended their lead further. After good work by the forwards, hooker Morris used his power to barge over the line. Outside half Jones sent the ball through the middle of the sticks.

Further changes by coach Strange saw prop Adam Court replace Adam Williams and player coach Dorian Jones go off to be replaced by Evan Lloyd.

The visitors struck back. After the forwards went through phase after phase, the ball made its way out to winger Goodchild, who acrobatically scored his second try of the game out wide. Lucas was unable to add the extras.

Replacement scrum half Carter Pritchard came on to replace Rory Harries.

However, the home side once again added to the score line after hooker Morris scored his second from a rolling maul at the lineout. Replacement number ten Evan Lloyd was unsuccessful with the conversion.

The Steelmen’s final changes of the game saw Cameron Davies and Curtis Gregory be replaced by Dylan Edwards and Alfred Bateman Lloyd.

With the game being played just inside the away sides half, the ball made its way out to Ebbw outside half Lloyd who put in a long missed pass out to centre Phillips. Phillips drew his man and put full back Richards into space. With a two on one overlap Richards drew his man and passed to winger Ewan Bowden. From outside the Rags twenty-two Bowden showed his speed to go over the line unopposed. Number ten Lloyd was unable to add the extras.

With the home side forwards making yard after yard, replacement scrum half Carter Pritchard passed the ball out to fullback Richards. With quick hands Richards drew his man and offloaded to the supporting player to create a three on one overlap. Winger Bowden passed to replacement Sion Parry who showed nimble feet to round a defender and then beat the last man. Lloyd was unsuccessful with the conversion.

The final try of the game went to the hosts, when from a driving maul at the lineout in the Cardiff twenty-two, hooker Morris claimed his hat trick of tries. Lloyd successfully kicked the conversion to bring the game to a close.

Final score: Ebbw Vale RFC 60 Cardiff RFC 20

Try Scorers: Ethan Phillps (1), Joe Franchi (1), Penalty try (1), Morgan Richards (1), Ieuan Morris (3), Ewan Bowden (1), Sion Parry (1).

Conversions: Dorian Jones (4), Evan Lloyd (1)

Penalty: Dorian Jones (1)

Ebbw Vale Man of the match: Dorian Jones

Match Day Squad

There was a late change to the match day squad with Dylan Edwards coming into the match day 23 in place of Dom Franchi

Ebbw Vale’s next game is away to Cardiff RFC at the Cardiff Arms Park on Saturday 4th October 2025, with kick off at 2:30pm.

Written by Alex Kinsella-Evans

Pictures courtesy of Richard Whitcombe

The SRC Challengers Shield is on the line as the Steelmen entertain Cardiff RFC at the CiNER GLASS Community Stadium this afternoon. The Steelmen have gained maximum points in the first two rounds of Super Rygbi Cymru this season with victories over Aberavon RFC and the Bridgend Ravens. Cardiff RFC have won one and lost one in their first two rounds.

Jason Strange makes a number of changes to the squad from the game against Bridgend Ravens. Dorian Jones makes his first start at 10 with Cameron Davies also coming into the starting line up at inside centre. Lewis Young makes his first appearance at 7 with Canadian International Sion Parry returning to the squad on the bench. In one further change, Morgan Richards returns at full back.

The full squad is as follows:

15 Morgan Richards 14 Dafydd Thomas 13 Ethan Phillips 12 Cameron Davies 11 Ewan Bowden 10 Dorian Jones 9 Rory Harries

1 Luke Garrett 2 Joe Franchi (c) 3 Adam Williams 4 Dylan Bartlett 5 Curtis Gregory 6 Jack Pope 7 Lewis Young 8 Owen Conquer

Replacements

16 Ieuan Morris 17 Adam Court 18 Morgan Bosanko 19 Alfred Bateman Lloyd 20 Sion Parry 21 Carter Pritchard 22 Evan Lloyd 23 Dom Franchi

Admission Prices

Full Price £15

Concession £10

Tickets can be purchased at the following link: Ebbw Vale RFC v Cardiff RFC

Steelmen Mural Unveiling

This Saturday is the unveiling of the tribute to past Ebbw Vale players and Men of Steel. Everyone is welcome to join us and the players families at 2.15pm prior to the kick off of the game against Cardiff RFC

#FeelTheSteel

Ebbw win on the road

Ebbw Vale came away from the Dunraven Brewery Field with maximum six points after playing the game in rainy conditions.

The visitors took the lead within the first ten minutes after referee Craig Evans awarded the Steelmen a penalty. Fly half Evan Lloyd successfully kicked the penalty.

Despite the best efforts of both sides, neither side could add to the scoreboard until referee Evans awarded the hosts a penalty. Number ten Fraser Jones brought the scores level.

The first try of the afternoon came just after the half an hour mark. A good break through the home defence by winger Dafydd Thomas saw the winger break the line, round the full back and score a well taken try under the posts. Lloyd successfully kicked the conversion.

Half Time: Bridgend Ravens 3 Ebbw Vale RFC 10

The away sides second try of the afternoon came within fifteen minutes of the interval. From a lineout in the Bridgend twenty-two, the Ebbw forwards set up a driving maul which ended with hooker Ieuan Morris scoring. Lloyd again added the extras.

The home side were reduced to fourteen men on the hour mark when referee Evans sent the Ravens second row James Richards to the sin bin.

The Steelmen immediately gained from the numerical advantage when from the lineout, the visitors forwards again set up a driving maul which finished with replacement hooker Joe Franchi diving over the line. Lloyd successfully kicked the conversion.

Within five minutes, Ebbw scored their bonus point try. Hooker Franchi once again benefited from the driving maul by finishing off the move to score. Lloyd sent the ball through the middle of the sticks.

With just more than ten minutes left, Ebbw Vale were reduced to fourteen men. Second row Dylan Bartlett was sent to spend ten minutes in the sin bin by referee Evans.

The hosts soon scored their first try of the game. Replacement scrum half Harvey Nash scored the try. Fellow replacement Luke Price added the extras.

Bridgend’s second try of the game came with three minutes left through replacement Corey Lewis. Price successfully kicked the conversion to reduce the deficit to fourteen points.

With the game going into the final moments, referee Evans awarded Ebbw Vale a penalty. Replacement Dorian Jones successfully added the three points to extend Ebbw Vale’s lead to seventeen points and claim maximum bonus points.

Full Time: Bridgend Ravens 17 Ebbw Vale RFC 34

Try scorers: Dafydd Thomas (1), Ieuan Morris (1), Joe Franchi (2)

Conversions: Evan Lloyd (4)

Penalties: Evan Lloyd (1), Dorian Jones (1)

Ebbw Vale’s next game is the first of a double header against Cardiff RFC at the Ciner Glass Community Stadium on Saturday 27th September 2025, with kick off at 14:30.

Everyone at the club would like to thank Ewan McIntyre for his efforts and wishes him good luck as he leaves for the RAF. Good luck Ewan, hope to see you soon.

Written by Alex Kinsella-Evans

Pictures courtesy of Richard Whitcombe

Match Day Squad

In the second game of Super Rygbi Cymru 2, the Steelmen travel to The Dunraven Brewery Field to face the Bridgend Ravens.

Both teams opened the season with a win in week 1 with Bridgend beating Carmarthen Quins (27 – 24) and Ebbw Vale  beating Aberavon RFC (36 – 17). Last season, the Steelmen beat the Ravens 34 -18 at the Brewery Field.

Jason Strange makes 3 changes to the squad with Dylan Edwards and Carter Pritchard coming into the team for their debuts. Ieuan Morris starts at hooker with Dom Franchi named as captain.

The full Ebbw Vale squad is as follows:

15 Dylan Edwards  14 Dafydd Thomas  13 Ethan Phillips  12 Dom Franchi (c)  11 Ewan Bowden  10 Evan Lloyd  9 Rory Harries

1 Luke Garrett  2 Ieuan Morris   3 Adam Williams  4 Dylan Bartlett  5 Curtis Gregory  6 Jack Pope  7 Joe Rees-Weldon  8 Owen Conquer

REPLACEMENTS

16 Joe Franchi  17 Adam Court  18 Morgan Bosanko  19 Ewan McIntyre  20 Alfred Bateman Lloyd  21 Carter Pritchard  22 Dorian Jones  23 Cameron Davies

Match Information

Bridgend Ravens v Ebbw Vale RFC

Saturday 20th September

The Dunraven Brewery Field

2.30pm

General Admission for Saturday’s game is priced at £14 Adults, £12 Concessions and u16s free.

Ebbw Addicts Travel

The Addicts will be providing transport to the game.

They will be leaving the Welfare at 12.30pm and returning from Bridgend at 5.30pm. There are still a few seats left on the bus for anyone wishing to travel to the game.

#FeelTheSteel

Five Try Ebbw

The Steelmen took maximum points from their first game of the season, in a game that was played in mixed weather conditions.

The home side came out of the blocks quickly. Within minutes of the game starting, the hosts scored an excellent try through full back Morgan Richards. Number ten Evan Lloyd added the extras.

The visitors hit straight back and scored a well taken try of their own through Felix Gilbert. Outside half Keillen Cullen successfully kicked the conversion to level the scores.

The Wizards took the lead for the first time during the game when referee Ben Whitehouse awarded the away side a penalty, which Cullen sent through the uprights.

Moments later, Ebbw’s fly half Lloyd again levelled the scores at ten all after converting a penalty from in front of the posts.

The Steelmen’s coach Jason Strange was forced into a change when Ebbw captain Joe Franchi was unable to continue and was replaced by hooker Ieuan Morris.

The home side retook the lead, when from a quick back’s move, fullback Richards burst through a gap in the Aberavon defence. With just the covering defender to beat, Richards drew his man and passed to winger Ewan Bowden, who showed his pace to go over in the corner unopposed. Lloyd again added the extras.

The home side fullback Morgan Richards was replaced straight afterwards by the returning Dorian Jones and injuring himself during the move.

On the stroke of half time the hosts extended their lead further. After applying the pressure, quick ball out to fly half Lloyd down the blindside, saw the number ten release the pass to winger Dafydd Thomas, who used his strength to power over in the corner. Lloyd was unsuccessful with the conversion from the touchline.

Half Time: Ebbw Vale RFC 22 Aberavon RFC 10

With both teams having to deal with the terrible weather conditions, Ebbw Vale coach Strange replaced prop Luke Garrett with debutant Morgan Bosanko.

The home side secured a try bonus point, when after applying pressure, second row Curtis Gregory used his power to dive over the try line, despite the attempts of the Aberavon tacklers. Lloyd sent the kick through the posts.

Within minutes of each other Jason Strange made a raft of changes. Adam Court, Alfred Bateman-Lloyd, Ewan McIntyre, Cameron Davies and Dan Buffery came on for Adam Williams, Curtis Gregory, Jack Pope, Evan Lloyd and Rory Harries.

The Steelmen’s fifth and final try came when referee Ben Whitehouse went under the posts to award a penalty try after the Aberavon number eight Ashton Evans was adjudged to have stopped a powerful Ebbw maul illegally on the line. Referee Whitehouse showed Evans the yellow card to spend ten minutes in the sin bin.

With the game ending, the away side scored their second try of the game when fly half Charlie Thomas went over the try line. Thomas kicked the conversion to bring the game to a close.

Full Time: Ebbw Vale RFC 36 Aberavon RFC 17

Tries: Morgan Richards (1), Ewan Bowden (1), Dafydd Thomas (1), Curtis Gregory (1), Penalty try (1)

Conversions: Evan Lloyd (3)

Penalty: Evan Lloyd (1)

Man of the match: Ewan Bowden

After the game we spoke with player / coach Dorian Jones. Dorian was happy with the result for the team. He thought it was really needed after pre-season, to gage where the squad was. He believes the squad is in a good position. Dorian paid tribute to Aberavon by acknowledging it was a hard-fought game and thought they started the game well, which tested the home side. He believed the side responded well, come together, dug deep and got a hard fought but well deserved six points from the game.

Discussing his return to the club, Dorian was overjoyed to return and see the familiar faces in and around the club that make it so special. He said it was great to get back out onto the Ciner Glass Community Stadium pitch, especially as he had come through the ranks, from the under eight-year-olds up to the senior squad.  Dorian was really enjoying his return and was looking forward to the remainder of the season.

Finally, discussing the difference between being at the club originally and returning. Dorian said when he first started playing senior rugby at Ebbw at the age of seventeen the club used to have experienced players such as Ross Jones and Damien Hudd. He continued by staying he was now one of the more experienced players amongst the current squad and was looking forward to helping the younger squad members come through. Dorian finished by advising he was lucky to be able to transition from playing into coaching and was grateful for the opportunity to start his coaching career at Ebbw.

Written by Alex Kinsella-Evans

Pictures courtesy of Richard Whitcombe

Match Day Squad

The Steelmen return to action in the first round of Super Rygbi Cymru Season 2 with a fixture against Aberavon RFC at the CiNER GLASS Community Stadium. The match will also see the Steelmen defend the SRC Challengers Shield for the first time this season. Last season, honours were even in the league between the two sides with Ebbw Vale winning at home and Aberavon beating the Steelmen at TAG.

Jason Strange’s first match day squad of the season features a mix of youth and experience with 4 players in the squad coming through the player pathway with Christ College, Brecon. There is a debut for Joe Rees-Weldon at 7 while Dafydd Thomas makes his first appearance on the wing. Morgan Bosanko will be looking to make his debut from the bench. Player/Coach Dorian Jones will also be looking to make his return to Ebbw Vale colours.

The full Ebbw Vale squad is as follows:

15 Morgan Richards  14 Dafydd Thomas  13 Ethan Phillips  12 Dom Franchi  11 Ewan Bowden  10 Evan Lloyd  9 Rory Harries

1 Luke Garrett  2 Joe Franchi (c)  3 Adam Williams  4 Dylan Bartlett  5 Curtis Gregory  6 Jack Pope  7 Joe Rees-Weldon  8 Owen Conquer

REPLACEMENTS

16 Ieuan Morris  17 Morgan Bosanko  18 Adam Court  19 Ewan McIntyre  20 Alfred Bateman Lloyd  21 Dan Buffery  22 Dorian Jones  23 Cameron Davies

Match Day Information

Ebbw Vale RFC v Aberavon RFC

CiNER GLASS Community Stadium

Kick Off 2.30pm

Admission Prices

FULL: £15

CONCESSION: £10

Match Day Tickets can be purchased at the following link: Ebbw Vale RFC v Aberavon RFC

The Steelmen are delighted to announce the signing of  full back Morgan Rees from Queensland Reds.

Morgan, who previously played for South Gower Youth, played a number of times against the Steelmen for Swansea RFC as a teenager before moving to Australia.

Morgan played for the University of Queensland while with the Queensland Academy and was called up by Queensland several times for Super Rugby including being part of the British Lions preparations with Queensland.

Despite being asked to further his career in Australia , Morgan has decided to return to Wales and will be a Steelmen in 2025/26

Welcome home, Morgan!

Welcome to Ebbw Vale RFC…

#FeelTheSteel

Ebbw Vale RFC are delighted to announce the signing of Mitch Rankine from Brynmawr RFC.

Mitch played his first year of Youth rugby at Abertillery Youth before moving to Brynmawr RFC where he has played for the last 7 seasons.

Mitch moves back to his hometown club for the 2025/26 season.

Welcome to the Steelmen!

#FeelTheSteel