Monthly Archives: November 2025
Ebbw keep applying the pressure
Ebbw Vale remain top after victory over a very good Carmarthen Quins team in front of the S4C Clic cameras to continue their good start to the season.
Despite a strong start to the game by the home side, the first points came to the Quins after fly half Elis Price sent a penalty through the middle of the goal posts.
However, the Steelmen hit back within a few minutes. After good play by the forwards, a neat grubber kick through saw centre Ethan Phillips beat the covering defender to kick the ball on for winger Dafydd Thomas to drop on the ball over the line. Outside half Dorian Jones successfully added the two points.
The visitors reduced the deficit to one point when number ten Price again sent a penalty through the posts.
Despite the efforts of both sides, there was no further points added to the scoreboard until the 35th minute. With the hosts getting the upper hand against the head on a scrum in the Carmarthen twenty-two, outside half Jones sent the penalty to the touchline. From the lineout Ebbw set up the driving maul for the leagues top try scorer Ieuan Morris to cross for the games second try. Outside half Jones successfully kicked the conversion.
Half Time: Ebbw Vale RFC 14 Carmarthen Quins 6
The second half started the same as the first half finished. Within seven minutes of the restart, Ebbw number ten Jones extended his side`s lead by ten points after successfully slotting over the penalty.
Despite pressure from the Quins in the home sides twenty-two, the Steelmen’s defence kept the visitors out.
The hosts first changes of the game came when hooker Ieuan Morris was replaced by Joe Franchi, Joe Rees Weldon came on for Ben Main and prop Adam Williams replaced Morgan Bosanko. Moments later prop Luke Garrett was replaced by Morgan Williams.
With the game entering the last fifteen minutes, a penalty to the five-metre line by Evan Lloyd saw the Steelmen set up a driving maul. Having been stopped close to the line, the forwards set up drive after drive. With a penalty advantage second row Dylan Bartlett picked up the ball and used his strength to drive over the line. Outside half Dorian Jones again successfully kicked the conversion.
With Jones stretching his leg after kicking the conversion, Ebbw coach Jason Strange replaced number ten Jones with full back Morgan Richards. Evan Lloyd moving into his usual ten position.
Minutes later good inroads by the forwards into the Quins half, saw an excellent kick by Ebbw Vale’s Evan Lloyd into space out wide. Winger Ewan Bowden collected a bouncing ball, escape two tackles from the Quins defenders and cross the line for the home side`s fourth and bonus point try of the game. Lloyd sent a good kick from out wide through the uprights.
The Steelmen’s coach Jason Strange emptied the bench in the final ten minutes with scrum half Rory Harries making his 50th appearance for the club, number eight Lewis Young and centre Cameron Davies replacing Gruff Tough, Ryan Jenkins and Dom Franchi.
With the game entering the final moments, a scrum to Ebbw Vale under the posts saw the hosts try an attack. With the referee awarding a penalty to Ebbw, captain Joe Franchi opted for a scrum. The Steelmen’s eight put in a big push in the scrum to send the Carmarthen forwards back over the try line. The referee awarded a penalty try and showed the visitors flanker Shaun Evans, which saw the Quins finish the game with fourteen players on the field.
Full Time: Ebbw Vale RFC 38 Carmarthen Quins RFC 6
Tries: Dafydd Thomas, Ieuan Morris, Dylan Bartlett, Ewan Bowden, Penalty try
Conversions: Dorian Jones (3), Evan Lloyd (1)
Penalties: Dorian Jones (1)
Ebbw Addicts MOTM: Gruff Tough
Pictures courtesy of Richard Whitcombe
The match also saw a minutes silence for former player Sion Jones and former club photographer, Alan Davies.
Tributes read at the game
Sion Jones
Everyone at Ebbw Vale RFC were deeply saddened to hear of the sudden passing of former player Sion Jones. Sion was an extremely talented winger who played for Ebbw in 2013/14. Sion was very popular off the pitch as well with his laid-back approach to life and humble manner. He will be sorely missed, and our thoughts and prayers are with Sion’s family and loved ones at this difficult time.
Alan Davies
It is with great sadness that the club has been informed of the recent death of Alan Davies. Alan was the club photographer for many years where he could be seen walking around the touchline with his trusty camera hanging loosely around his neck and his trousers tucked in his socks, looking for the best action shots that were there to be taken. Alan took photographs of the great players that have worn the Ebbw Vale RFC badge – additionally the good and greats of Welsh club rugby.
All at Ebbw Vale RFC send our heartfelt condolences to Alan’s family and friends at this sad time.
The Steelmen Squad for the match against Carmarthen Quins was as follows:
Ebbw Vale’s next game is Thursday 4th December 2025 away to Aberavon RFC at the Talbot Athletic Ground in front of the S4C Clic cameras, with kick off at 7:30pm.
Written by Alex Kinsella-Evans
The Steelmen return to action under the lights at the CiNER GLASS Community Stadium against Carmarthen Quins tomorrow evening live on S4C Clic and YouTube Channel
Both teams have been in great form with the Steelmen winning their last match 38-26 against RGC and the Quins beating Aberavon 28 -19.
Jason Strange has made a number of changes to the Steelmen squad for the Quins game with Dorian Jones returning at 10 and Evan Lloyd moving to full back. In the pack, Ryan Jenkins makes his first start of the season with Dylan Bartlett returning in the 2nd row. Rory Harries will be looking to make his 50th appearance for the Steelmen from the bench. Dom Franchi will continue to captain the team.
The full Steelmen squad is as follows:
15 Evan Lloyd 14 Dafydd Thomas 13 Ethan Phillips 12 Dom Franchi (c) 11 Ewan Bowden 10 Dorian Jones 9 Gruff Tough
1 Luke Garrett 2 Ieuan Morris 3 Morgan Bosanko 4 Dylan Bartlett 5 Curtis Gregory 6 Jack Pope 7 Ben Main 8 Ryan Jenkins
Replacements
16 Joe Franchi 17 Morgan Williams 18 Adam Williams 19 Lewis Young 20 Joe Rees-Weldon 21 Rory Harries 22 Cameron Davies 23 Morgan Richards
Match Information
Ebbw Vale RFC v Carmarthen Quins
Thursday 27th November
CiNER GLASS Community Stadium
7.30pm
Match Tickets can be purchased at the following link: Ebbw Vale RFC v Carmarthen Quins RFC
#FeelTheSteel
The Steelmen travel to North Wales today to play RGC in Super Rygbi Cymru. Both teams come into the game having won their last league games with the Steelmen shutting out Swansea RFC 28 – 0 and RGC winning 54 -26 at Bridgend Ravens.
The game sees a number of changes to the Steelmen squad with Morgan Richards returning to the starting XV at full back with Evan Lloyd moving to 10. Ewan Bowden returns from injury on the wing, while Morgan Bosanko moves across the front row to start at tight head. On the bench, Cameron Davies and Dylan Bartlett return from injury while Charlie Manship, Morgan Williams and Dan Buffery also come into the match day squad on the bench. Dom Franchi continues as captain.
The full squad is as follows:
15 Morgan Richards 14 Dafydd Thomas 13 Ethan Phillips 12 Dom Franchi (c) 11 Ewan Bowden 10 Evan Lloyd 9 Gruff Tough
1 Luke Garrett 2 Ieuan Morris 3 Morgan Bosanko 4 Alfred Bateman Lloyd 5 Curtis Gregory 6 Jack Pope 7 Ben Main 8 Lewis Young
Replacements
16 Charlie Manship 17 Morgam Williams 18 Adam Williams 19 Dylan Bartlett 20 Ryan Jenkins 21 Dan Buffery 22 Cameron Davies 23 Dorian Jones
Match information
RGC v Ebbw Vale RFC
Parc Eirias
2.30pm
Ticket Information
Safe journey to all supporters travelling to North Wales for the fixture
#FeelTheSteel
Ebbw March Back to the Top
The Steelmen kept hold of the SRC Challenger Shield trophy after claiming six points against a much-improved Swansea side, in a game that had sunshine and many heavy rain downpours. The game saw hooker Ieuan Morris and winger Ryan Gardner both make their fiftieth appearances for Ebbw
Within the first ten minutes of the game, the away side were reduced to fourteen men after flanker Callum Bowden was sent to spend ten minutes in the sin bin.
The hosts got immediate reward, when from a lineout the familiar catch and drive saw hooker Ieuan Morris continue his good run of form to score the game’s opening try. Fly half Dorian Jones kicked the conversion.
Ebbw Vale coach Jason Strange was forced into a first half change when prop Adam Court left the field injured to be replaced by Adam Williams.
Despite the best efforts of the All Whites, it was the Steelmen who scored the next points. Once again from a lineout in the visitors twenty-two, the hosts forwards got up a head of steam and Ieuan Morris again profited by crossing the line. Number ten Jones sent the ball through the middle of the posts to put Ebbw fourteen points to the good.
With the hosts forwards not letting up, outside half Jones sent the ball deep into the Swansea twenty-two. From the lineout, hooker Morris scored his third try of the game. Number ten Jones successfully kicked the conversion.
The Steelmen’s fourth and bonus point try came from familiar fashion. Jones kicked a penalty to touch. From the lineout Morris again benefited to score his fourth try of the game. Outside half Jones kept up his 100% record for the game by kicking the conversion.
Half Time: Ebbw Vale RFC 28 Swansea RFC 0
The second half saw both sides try to keep hold of the ball in bad weather conditions. However, despite both teams` best efforts, the slippery ball was knocked on within numerous occasions.
Ebbw coach Strange made various changes. Club captain Joe Franchi and Ryan Jenkins initially replaced hooker Ieuan Morris and number eight Lewis Young. Number eight Jenkins making his first start of the season after injury.
Prop Luke Garrett and flanker Joe Rees-Weldon replaced Morgan Bosanko and Ben Main moments later. Scrum half Gruff Tough left the field for Carter Pritchard and minutes later Dorian Jones and Ryan Garnder were replaced by Dylan Edwards and debutant Harry Dawes.
The home side were awarded three kickable penalties. However, after kicking to touch, the play came to nothing on each occasion.
The Steelmen were to be reduced to fourteen men for ten minutes of the half, when referee Ben Connor judged replacement prop Luke Garrett to have made a no arms tackle.
Despite both teams` best efforts, no further points were added to the scoreboard. The game finished with Ebbw Vale collecting their fifth six points from a game, from their first six games of the season and returning to the top of the league.
Full Time: Ebbw Vale RFC 28 Swansea RFC 0
Tries: Ieuan Morris (4)
Conversions: Dorian Jones (4)
Man of the match: Ieuan Morris
Pictures courtesy of Richard Whitcombe and Graham Davies
The Steelmen’s next game is away to RGC at Eirias Stadium on Saturday 15th November 2025, with kick off at 2:30pm.
Written by Alex Kinsella-Evans
Congratulation to Ieuan Morris and Ryan Gardner for making their 50th appearances for the Steelmen
The Steelmen squad for the match was as follows
The SRC Challengers Shield is once again on the line as the Steelmen entertain Swansea RFC at the CiNER GLASS Community Stadium. Both teams have had good starts to the season with Swansea winning 3 of their 6 games so far.
The match sees a number of changes to the Steelmen squad with Gruff Tough returning to make his first start at scrum half. Ryan Gardner comes in for a first start of the season on the wing. Up front, there are changes at prop with Morgan Bosanko and Adam Court coming into the starting VX. Ben Main makes his first start at 7 with Lewis Young starting at number 8. Dragon’s academy prospects Carter Pritchard and Harry Dawes come into the match day squad. Harry, a product of Monmouth School, will be looking to make his Steelmen debut from the bench. Dom Franchi continues as captain.
Congratulations to both Ryan Gardner and Ieuan Morris who both make their 50th appearance for the Steelmen today.
The full Steelmen squad is as follows:
15 Evan Lloyd 14 Dafydd Thomas 13 Ethan Phillips 12 Dom Franchi (c) 11 Ryan Gardner 10 Dorian Jones 9 Gruff Tough
1 Morgan Bosanko 2 Ieuan Morris 3 Adam Court 4 Alfred Bateman Lloyd 5 Curtis Gregory 6 Jack Pope 7 Ben Main 8 Lewis Young
REPLACEMENTS
16 Joe Franchi 17 Luke Garrett 18 Adam Williams 19 Joe Rees-Weldon 20 Ryan Jenkins 21 Carter Pritchard 22 Dylan Edwards 23 Harry Dawes
Match Information
Ebbw Vale RFC v Swansea RFC
Saturday 1st November
CiNER GLASS Community Stadium
2.30pm
Admission Prices
Full £15
Concession £10
Tickets can be purchased here: Ebbw Vale RFC v Swansea RFC
#FeelTheSteel