Monthly Archives: December 2025
A Christmas cracker of a game
Ebbw Vale visited Pontypool Park in a game where both sides contributed a huge amount to an entertaining game where 90 points were scored on a bright but cold afternoon.
The Steelmen were quick out of the blocks. After applying pressure to the Pontypool tryline, the visitors were rewarded when Sion Parry crossed to score the games opening try. Fly half Evan Lloyd successfully kicked the conversion.
The hosts soon hit back. After claiming the ball back from the restart, quick back play by Pooler saw flanker Evan Minto break through the defence in midfield and sped to the tryline. Number ten Harri Ford brought the scores level.
The home side soon took the lead when centre Pat Lewis crossed the line after good pressure by the hosts. Ford added the extras.
Two quick further tries by wingers Marcus Jones and Carrick McDonough, one converted by Ford saw Pontypool extend their lead to nineteen points and claim a try bonus point.
With the Ebbw forwards trying to regain the ascendancy, an off the ball scuffle in the Pooler 22 saw referee Ben Connor send Ebbw prop Luke Garrett and home captain Scott Matthews to the sin bin to spend ten minutes to cool off.
The Steelmen hit back on the thirty ninth minute. After going through phase after phase, number eight Ryan Jenkins showed his strength to power over the line to score Ebbw Vale’s second try of the game. Lloyd sent the ball through the posts to add the extra two points.
Firmly back on the front foot, the visitors struck again on the stroke of half time. After sending a penalty into the Pooler twenty-two, the forwards sent up a driving maul from the lineout. With the help of the backs, the maul went over the line, with the leagues top try scorer Ieuan Morris touching down. Lloyd again added the extras to make it a five-point game going into half time.
Half Time: Pontypool RFC 26 Ebbw Vale RFC 21
Clearly fired up, Ebbw came out and took the second half to the hosts. After good work at the scrum, quick passing out to full back Morgan Richards, saw the number fifteen go under the posts unopposed to secure a try bonus point for his team. From in front of the sticks Lloyd put the Steelmen back in front.
With the game back and forth a yellow card to the visitor’s winger Ewan Bowden saw the home side have a numerical advantage. The hosts took advantage of the situation when replacement Joel Mahoney scored out wide. On this occasion Pooler outside half Ford was unsuccessful with the conversion.
The away sides coach Jason Strange started to ring the changes. Captain Joe Franchi, fly half Dorian Jones and Prop Morgan Bosanko came on for Ieuan Morris, Evan Lloyd and Adam Williams.
Captain Franchi soon made his mark. A penalty to Ebbw saw Jones put the ball into the Pontypool twenty-two. From the lineout the forwards got up a head of steam, assisted by the backs and Franchi dived over the line to score. Jones sent the conversion wide of the uprights.
With Ebbw Vale on the front foot and applying pressure in the Pontypool twenty-two, referee Connor showed the hosts prop Kelvyn Williams a yellow card.
Taking the scrum from the penalty, the Steelmen’s number nine Gruff Tough took the ball from the feet of number eight Jenkins, went down the blindside and showed his pace by going outside the home side winger to score out wide. Jones was unable to add the extras.
A further change by the visitors saw prop Luke Garrett leave the field to be replaced by Morgan Williams.
Further good play by the away side saw Ebbw benefit further. With the forwards getting over the gain line, a kick into space behind the defence by Dorian Jones saw winger Ewan Bowden collect the ball and dive over the line. Jones successfully kicked the conversion.
The away sides final change of the game saw scrum half Gruff Tough be replaced by Dan Buffery.
With the game going from end to end, Pontypool scored their sixth and final try of the game. Fullback Ellis Davies crossed the line out wide. Number ten Ford sent the ball through the middle of the sticks.
The fourteenth and final try of an entertaining game was scored with the final play by the Steelmen. Another good phase of play by the Ebbw forwards saw Jones put in an excellent cross field kick out wide to unmarked winger Bowden, who caught the ball and crossed the line. Jones sent the last kick of the game through the centre of the posts to bring the game to a close.
Full Time: Pontypool RFC 38 Ebbw Vale RFC 52
Tries: Sion Parry (1), Ryan Jenkins (1), Ieuan Morris (1), Morgan Richards (1), Joe Franchi (1), Gruff Tough (1), Ewan Bowden (2)
Conversions: Evan Lloyd (4), Dorian Jones (2)
Pictures courtesy of Richard Whitcombe
After the game we spoke with Ebbw Vale full back Morgan Richards. Morgan acknowledged visiting Pontypool Park is always a tough place to play. Morgan thought the team did not start the game the way they wanted to. The team gave away some soft penalties and conceded some soft tries. However, Morgan paid tribute to the squad when saying the players worked hard for each other, with their commitment and determination to pull the game back from a nineteen-point deficit and he believed the squad came away with what they deserved, especially after an improved second half performance.
The Steelmen’s next game is away to second placed Llandovery RFC at Church Bank, on Saturday 3rd January 2026. The game is live on S4C, with kick off at 5:15pm.
Everyone at Ebbw Vale RFC would like to thank the supporters, sponsors and everybody involved for their support during 2025 and wish all a happy new year.
The Steelmen squad for the Pontypool game…
Written by Alex Kinsella-Evans
The Steelmen return to action in the second of the festive double-header against Pontypool RFC at Pontypool Park today. Last weekend, the Steelmen beat Pooler at the CiNER GLASS Community Stadium by 40 -15 to extend their lead at the top of Super Rygbi Cymru.
Jason Strange makes a number of changes to the squad with Morgan Richards returning to the team at full back and Evan Lloyd moving to outside half. Gruff Tough comes into the team at scrum half. Ieuan Morris and Adam Williams come into the starting XV in the front row. Dom Franchi will captain the team at Pontypool Park
The full Steelmen squad is as follows:
15 Morgan Richards 14 Dafydd Thomas 13 Ethan Phillips 12 Dom Franchi 11 Ewan Bowden 10 Evan Lloyd 9 Gruff Tough
1 Luke Garrett 2 Ieuan Morris 3 Adam Williams 4 Dylan Bartlett 5 Curtis Gregory 6 Jack Pope 7 Sion Parry 8 Ryan Jenkins
REPLACEMENTS
16 Joe Franchi 17 Morgan Williams 18 Morgan Bosanko 19 Alfred Bateman Lloyd 20 Lewis Young 21 Dan Buffery 22 Dorian Jones 23 Cameron Davies
Match Information
Pontypool RFC v Ebbw Vale RFC
Saturday 27th December
Pontypool Park
2.30pm
Reminder that Pontypool RFC operate a CASHLESS ticket buying policy. Tickets will need to be purchased with a debit/credit card on the day.
#FeelTheSteel
An Early Christmas Present
Ebbw continue their fine form after claiming six points against Pontypool in front of a good crowd at the Ciner Glass Community Stadium. The game saw Evan Lloyd make his 100th appearance for the club.
The first points of the game came to the visitors. Outside half Harri Ford put Pooler three points to the good after referee Ben Whitehouse penalised the hosts.
On the twentieth minute, the Steelmen hit back. Good play by the home side was finished by winger Dafydd Thomas in the corner. Fly half Dorian Jones kicked the conversion from the touchline.
Moments later the away side were first reduced to fourteen men, then thirteen. Firstly, referee Whitehouse sent Pontypool winger Marcus Jones to the sin bin, then hooker Aneurin James was sent to spend ten minutes on the touchline.
The home side benefited from their numerical advantage. From a lineout inside the visitors twenty-two, the hosts set up a rolling maul. The move was finished by captain Joe Franchi diving over the line. Number ten Jones added the extras.
With Pooler restored to fifteen men and the first half coming to an end, Ebbw Vale struck again. From a lineout, the forwards, assisted by the backs got the maul going again and hooker Franchi once again scored. Fly half Jones once again sent the ball between the posts to extend Ebbw’s lead to eighteen points.
Half Time: Ebbw Vale RFC 21 Pontypool RFC 3
The second half started in the same fashion as the first half finished. With the Steelmen on the front foot, centre Ethan Phillips stretched his legs to score a well taken team try. Jones continued his fine form from the tee by sending the ball through the sticks.
Within five minutes Pontypool struck. Good play by the forwards led to fly half Ford crossing the line. However, the young number ten struck the uprights with the conversion.
Ebbw coach Jason Strange started to ring the changes. Firstly scrum half Gruff Tough came on for Rory Harries, then minutes later the front row of Morgan Bosanko, Joe Franchi and Luke Garrett left the field to be replaced by Adam Williams, Ieuan Morris and Morgan Williams.
The hosts centre Phillips added his second try of the game, with Jones successful from the tee with the conversion.
Good play by the visitors saw replacement centre Pat Lewis score his sides second try of the game. Number ten Ford added the extras.
The Ebbw Vale bench was then emptied with Morgan Richards coming on for Dafydd Thomas, Lewis Young replacing Ryan Jenkins and Dom Franchi leaving field for Cameron Davies.
The final try of the game was scored by the Steelmen. After the forwards went through the phases, the ball was passed out wide to flyhalf Dorian Jones who went over in the corner. Jones was unsuccessful with the conversion.
Ebbw finished the game with fourteen men when second row Dylan Bartlett was shown a yellow card in the final moments.
Full Time: Ebbw Vale RFC 40 Pontypool RFC 15
Try scorers: Dafydd Thomas (1), Joe Franchi (2), Ethan Phillps (2), Dorian Jones (1)
Conversions: Dorian Jones (5)
Pictures courtesy of Richard Whitcombe
Ebbw Vale’s next game is the returned fixture at Pontypool Park on Saturday 27th December 2025, with kick off at 2:30pm.
All the management, players and staff at Ebbw Vale RFC would like to thank everyone for their support so far this season and wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Full Squad for Pontypool was as follows
Written by Alex Kinsella-Evans
The Steelmen head into the festive period with the first game of a double header against Pontypool RFC in the Rival Round of Super Rygbi Cymru. The game will see the Steelmen defend the SRC Challengers Shield at the CiNER GLASS Community Stadium.
Jason Strange had made a number of changes to the starting XV for the game against Pooler. The experienced Dorian Jones and Dom Franchi return to the starting lineup with Evan Lloyd, who makes his 100th appearance for the Steelmen, moving to full back.
Upfront, Luke Garrett returns in the front row with Jack Pope comes into the starting XV at 6, Sion Parry moves to openside flanker.
Replacements will be named shortly before kickoff.
The Steelmen starting XV is as follows:
15 Evan Lloyd 14 Dafydd Thomas 13 Ethan Phillips 12 Don Franchi 11 Ewan Bowden 10 Dorian Jones 9 Rory Harries
1 Luke Garrett 2 Joe Franchi (c) 3 Morgan Bosanko 4 Dylan Bartlett 5 Curtis Gregory 6 Jack Pope 7 Sion Parry 8 Ryan Jenkins
Match Details
SRC Challengers Shield
Ebbw Vale RFC v Pontypool RFC
Saturday 20th December
CiNER Glass Community Stadium
2.30pm
Match Tickets can be purchased at the following link: Ebbw Vale RFC v Pontypool RFC
Christmas Jumper Day
Reminder that today is Christmas Jumper Day for players and supporters. There will be live entertainment in the club after the game starting at 5.30pm.
Club Shop
The Club Shop will be open before and after the match to purchase your last minute Christmas Goodies…
#FeelTheSteel
Ebbw Keep Up Their Good Form
A strong second half team performance, including a hat trick of tries by captain Joe Franchi saw the Steelmen clinch another six points at home against Bridgend Ravens, to enhance top position in the Super Rygbi Cymru. The game saw flanker Harry Beddall make his debut for Ebbw Vale.
The home side made a strong start. Outside half Evan Lloyd put in a delightful chip over the Ravens backline on the halfway line. Lloyd beat the away side players to the ball, threw a dummy on the final defender and dived over the line unopposed to score the games opening try. Lloyd successfully kicked the conversion.
The visitors soon hit back. A long kick through by Bridgend saw winger Cameron Ellis speed through to get to the ball before the covering defence to score. Inside centre Fraser Jones added the extras to draw the game level.
A yellow card to Ravens number eight Benji Williams gave the hosts a chance to apply the pressure. A penalty kick by fly half Lloyd into the away sides twenty-two saw the Steelmen with a lineout. From the throw in, the Ebbw forwards, assisted by the backs, set up a driving maul which was finished off by captain Joe Franchi. Lloyd was unsuccessful with the conversion.
Ebbw Vale nearly extended their lead further when winger Ewan Bowden showed his speed down the wing. With a defender to beat, winger Bowden chipped over the last line of defence. Looking likely to score, Bowden was about to get to the ball before a Bridgend player looked to have taken the winger out. Referee Lucas Yendle decided otherwise and Bridgend cleared their lines.
The visitors made it a two-point game when centre Jones sent a penalty through the middle of the posts.
Still with a numerical advantage, the home side extended their lead further. From a line out in the Bridgend twenty-two, the forwards put in a powerful driving maul for hooker Franchi to bag his second try of the afternoon. Number ten Lloyd added the two points with the last kick of the first half.
Half Time: Ebbw Vale RFC 19 Bridgend Ravens 10
The Steelmen came out for the second half looking to add to the scoreline. They eventually did when from a good back’s move, full back Morgan Richards used his strength and speed to cross the try line. Lloyd sent the ball through the middle of the posts.
Ebbw head coach Jason Strange decided to change props Morgan Williams and Adam Williams with Morgan Bosanko and Adam Court.
Minutes later Bridgend were again reduced to fourteen men when flanker Alfie Thomas was sent to spend ten minutes in the sin bin.
With the numerical advantage, the hosts extended their lead further. A penalty sent deep into the visitors twenty-two, saw the forwards set up the maul. However, instead of driving towards the line, the ball was passed to outside centre Ethan Phillips, who went sped over the line untouched. Lloyd again kicked the conversion.
Within minutes of each other Ebbw coach Strange made a string of substitutes. Firstly, Lewis Young and Owen Conquer replaced flanker Sion Parry and number eight Ryan Jenkins. Then centre Dom Franchi came on for Cam Davies, Dan Buffery replaced scrum half Rory Harries and outside half Dorian Jones came on for Morgan Richards. Starting fly half Lloyd moved to full back. Substitute Morgan Bosanko had to leave the pitch to be replaced by starting prop Morgan Williams.
Despite ringing the changes, Ebbw kept on the front foot. With the forwards having the grit between their teeth, hooker Franchi benefited from a third driving maul to score a hat trick of tries. Lloyd added the two points.
The final change for the Steelmen saw hooker Franchi leave the field to be replaced by Charlie Manship.
A nasty looking injury to the home side replacement Owen Conquer, saw the young number eight be helped off the field to leave the hosts see out the remaining fifteen minutes of the game with fourteen men.
Bridgend took advantage of being a man extra. From a lineout a strong maul by the away side saw replacement prop Corey Lewis score his sides second try of the game. Jones was unsuccessful with the conversion.
The final try of the game was scored by the hosts. Being camped in the Ravens twenty-two, the ball made its way out to Lloyd. A very well timed pass by Lloyd to winger Dafydd Thomas, saw the defence beaten and Thomas went over untouched. Lloyd again sent the ball through the posts.
Despite the best efforts of both sides, no further points were added to the scoreline.
Full Time: Ebbw Vale RFC 47 Bridgend Ravens 15
Tries: Evan Lloyd (1), Joe Franchi (3), Morgan Richards (1), Ethan Phillps (1), Dafydd Thomas (1)
Conversions: Evan Lloyd (6)
Ebbw Vale RFC man of the match: Evan Lloyd
After the game we spoke to flanker Harry Beddall. Discussing the game Harry thought the team had to stick in the game in the first half, especially after not scoring the points their efforts deserved. Harry believed the team wore Bridgend down in the second half, with the team playing to their strengths, especially with the driving maul.
Harry said it was special to make his debut for the club. He praised the squad for welcoming him in, helping him learn his role and was happy to be on the field playing.
Pictures courtesy of Richard Whitcombe
Ebbw Vale’s next game is the first of a double header against Pontypool RFC at home at the Ciner Glass Community Stadium on Saturday 20th December 2025, with kick off at 2:30pm.
Tickets can be purchased for the game at the following link: Ebbw Vale RFC v Pontypool RFC
The Ebbw Vale Squad for the fixture against Bridgend Ravens:
Written by Alex Kinsella-Evans
The Steelmen look to continue their unbeaten run when they return to action in Super Rygbi Cymru against Bridgend Ravens at the CiNER GLASS Community Stadium today. The SRC Challengers Shield will also be on the line as the Steelmen make their 6th defence of the shield this season. The Steelmen beat the Ravens 34 -17 at the Brewery Field in September.
Jason Strange makes a number of changes to the squad with former Wales U20s captain Hetty Beddall making his debut at 7 and Canadian International back rower Sion Parry moving to 6. Cam Davies returns to start in the centre with Rory Harries starting at scrum half. In the pack, Morgan Williams and Adam Williams start in the front row. The bench sees the return of Owen Conquer with Charlie Manship also coming into the match day squad.
The full squad is as follows:
15 Morgan Richards 14 Dafydd Thomas 13 Ethan Phillips 12 Cam Davies 11 Ewan Bowden 10 Evan Lloyd 9 Rory Harries
1 Morgan Williams 2 Joe Franchi (c) 3 Adam Williams 4 Dylan Bartlett 5 Curtis Gregory 6 Sion Parry 7 Harry Beddall 8 Ryan Jenkins
16 Charlie Manship 17 Adam Court 18 Morgan Bosanko 19 Lewis Young 20 Owen Conquer 21 Dan Buffery 22 Dorian Jones 23 Dom Franchi
Match Day Tickets
Tickets can be purchased for the match at the following link: Ebbw Vale RFC v Bridgend Ravens RFC
Match Details
Ebbw Vale RFC v Bridgend Ravens
Saturday 13th December
CiNER GLASS Community Stadium
2.30pm
Christmas Food Donation
Today is the final day to donate to the club’s Christmas Food Donation in aid of the Hilltop Food Cabin. Please can you support this by bringing donations to the club today and hand in at the club shop.
Club Shop
The club shop will be open before and after the game today to buy your Christmas goodies.
Shop will also be open on Thursday 18th December between 6.00pm and 8.00pm
#FeelTheSteel
Ebbw win on the road
Ebbw Vale continued their good start to the season after coming away from Aberavon with six points in front of the S4C Clic camera’s on Thursday night.
The Wizards made a strong start. Within the first three minutes of the game, a storming run by the hosts number eight Ashton Evans put the home side inside the Steelmen’s twenty-two. A quick taken penalty by Aberavon saw the ball go wide to outside half Keillen Cullen, who went over in the corner. Cullen was unable to add the extras.
The away side soon struck back. After a driving maul by the Ebbw pack made some yards, the visitors forwards went through the phases. Quick ball out to fly half Evan Lloyd, saw the number ten take a pass down low and excellently catch the ball off his laces off balance and get a pass away to the supporting Ethan Phillips to cut an angle to go over the line. Lloyd successfully added the extras.
Ten minutes later a fine surge from a driving maul by the away sides Joe Franchi put the visitors in the Wizards twenty-two. Pressure by Steelmen saw the ball make its way to Lloyd, who put in a tremendous deft grubber kick through for winger Dafydd Thomas to collect the ball and dive over the line out wide. Lloyd was unsuccessful with the conversion.
The third try of the game for the away side came inside the first half an hour. A kick to touch from a penalty set up the Ebbw forwards to collect the lineout and set up a driving maul. With the backs joining in, referee Keith David run under the posts to award the Steelmen a penalty try. In the aftermath, Aberavon second row Ross Fox was sent to the sin bin for ten minutes.
The hosts were to immediately hit back. From a lineout on the halfway line, the home side scrum half Scott Whitlock darted into the Ebbw Vale twenty-two. A quick pass to centre Brad Roderick, saw the centre dive over the line to score. Number ten Cullen kicked the conversion to make it a seven point game.
A knock on just outside the Wizards twenty-two saw the hosts win a scrum. Against the head, the Steelmen forwards put in a huge push to win the ball. With the ball at the feet on Ebbw number eight Ryan Jenkins, number nine Gruff Tough picked up the ball, saw the space and used his pace to split the defence and go over for the bonus point try. Lloyd added the extras.
On the stroke of half time Ebbw Vale coach Jason Strange made his first change of the game. Prop Morgan Williams came on for Luke Garrett.
Half Time: Aberavon RFC 12 Ebbw Vale RFC 26
The first change of the second half for Ebbw saw try scorer Ethan Phillips be replaced by Cameron Davies.
The first fifteen minutes of the half saw both teams go at each other. Referee David showed the Steelmen captain Joe Franchi a yellow card for ill-discipline.
The hosts took immediate advantage. Going through phase after phase, number eight Ashton Evans barged over the line to score. Referee David went to his pocket to show the visitors number nine Gruff Tough a yellow card to reduce the away side to thirteen players for just under ten minutes. The Wizard outside half Cullen sent the ball through the posts.
Within a few minutes Ebbw coach Strange replaced full back Morgan Richards with Dorian Jones.
On the hour mark the home side struck again. A quick penalty by Aberavon scrum half Whitlock inside the Vale half saw the backs take the ball to just short of the try line. Quick ball out to replacement Connor Moyse saw the young replacement go over unopposed. Fly half Cullen missed the conversion to reduce the deficit to two points with nineteen minutes left of the game.
Still reduced to thirteen, the visitors’ forwards went through a few phases on the halfway line. With no number nine on the pitch, replacement Dorian Jones saw winger Ewan Bowden with space in front of him. Taking the ball Jones drew the winger and passed to Bowden just inside his half. Using his pace, Bowden sped up the line, chipped over the covering defender, chased his kick, collected the ball and dived over the try line to score an excellent individual try. Lloyd was unable to add the two points.
The away side replaced second row Curtis Gregory with Lewis Young, starting flanker Jack Pope moving into the second row and minutes after hooker Joe Franchi was replaced by Ieuan Morris.
With the away side back up to fifteen, Ebbw Vale coach Strange brought on scrum half Dan Buffery to replace Gruff Tough.
A take at the lineout inside the Steelmen’s half saw the forwards set up a driving maul. Just on the pitch, scrum half Buffery saw an opportunity and darted up the blind side. Drawing the last line of defence, the scrum half passed out to winger Thomas to speed over the line to score his second try of the game with ten minutes of the game left. Outside half Lloyd added the extras.
The Steelmen replaced prop Morgan Bosanko with Adam Court and Sion Parry came off for Joe Rees-Weldon.
The final try of the game was scored by the away side. Having set up the maul from a lineout, the Ebbw forwards went through phase after phase, ending with flanker Jack Pope using his strength to go over from close to the line. Number ten Lloyd successfully kicked the conversion.
Full Time: Aberavon RFC 24 Ebbw Vale RFC 45
Tries: Ethan Phillips (1), Dafydd Thomas (2), Penalty try (1), Gruff Tough (1), Ewan Bowden (1), Jack Pope (1)
Conversions: Evan Lloyd (4)
Man of the match: Sion Parry
Pictures courtesy of Richard Whitcombe
Ebbw Vale’s next game is at the Ciner glass community stadium against Bridgend RFC on Saturday 13th of December 2025, with kick off at 2:30pm.
The Steelmen squad for the match against Aberavon RFC
Written by Alex Kinsella – Evans