Match Report – Ebbw Vale RFC 60 Cardiff RFC 20

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