Match Report – Ebbw Vale RFC 31 Aberavon RFC 25

Ebbw’s SRC Cup starts
After last weeks postponed game against Swansea RFC, the Steelmen got their SRC Cup journey underway in a game that was played in terrible weather conditions at The Wern, Merthyr RFC.
The game saw young number ten Will Ford and full back Morgan Rees make their debuts for the team, and Harry Arundel make his debut from the bench. The latter, being brought in from the start as a late replacement for Dylan Edwards, who had to miss out due to injury.
The Wizards scored the first points of the game. After starting the game on the front foot, Aberavon flanker Cameron Loveys finished off a well put together move to score in the corner. Number ten Keillen Cullen hit the uprights with his conversion.
The hosts were forced into an early change when winger Ewan Bowden had to be replaced by Evan Lloyd due to injury. This saw Morgan Rees move out to the wing.
After continuing strongly, the visitors scored their second try of the game. Good work by the away sides pack led to a quick ball out to winger Noah Mason to go over out wide. Cullen was again unable to add the extras.
With the visitors dominant, the hosts had some possession in the Aberavon half. After being awarded a penalty inside the Wizards twenty-two, fly half Ford got Ebbw’s first points of the half from the tee.
A second enforced change for the home side saw replacement Evan Lloyd have to be replaced by Ethan Phillips, again due to injury.
The Steelmen had the grit between their teeth. A great 50:22 by winger Ryan Gardner put the home side in the visitors twenty-two. From the lineout, the ball made its way out to centre Cameron Davies, who used his strength to barge through tacklers to score. Ford sent the ball through the posts to level the scores at ten all.
A penalty to the away side, kicked by Cullen right in front of the posts, saw Aberavon lead by three points going into the break.

Half Time: Ebbw Vale RFC 10 Aberavon RFC 13

Ebbw Vale took the lead for the first time in the game, when after being awarded a penalty, outside half Ford kicked the ball to the corner. From the lineout, the hosts forwards got the rolling maul going, and hooker Ieuan Morris benefited by diving over the line to score. Ford continued with his fine form from the boot to extend the home sides lead to four points.
However, within minutes the Wizard retook the lead. From a scrum five metres out, centre Sam Matthews crossed to score his sides third try of the game. Number ten Cullen added the extras.
Ebbw Vale coach Jason Strange decided to make changes. Props Morgan Williams and Morgan Bosanko left the field and was replaced by Adam Williams and Luke Garrett.
The visitors were to be reduced to fourteen men, when after an hour, referee Cai Lewis awarded a penalty try to the hosts and sent the Wizards prop Jordan Walters to the sidelines to spend ten minutes in the sin bin.
Ebbw coach Strange replaced Morgan Rees with the returning Jon Evans and Jack Pope came on for Joe Rees-Weldon.
However, within a minute of coming on, flanker Pope had to leave the field due to a nasty looking injury. Harry Arundel came on to make his debut.
The decisive points came when from good play by Ebbw, second row Alfred Bateman-Lloyd crossed to score the bonus point try. Ford continued his 100 percent record from the tee to put the hosts eleven points to the good.
The final try of the game went to the visitors. From a lineout in the Steelmen’s twenty-two, the ball was passed out to fly half Cullen, who went over in the corner. Cullen sent the conversion wide of the posts.
Despite late pressure from the Wizards, and referee Lewis sending Ebbw Vale prop Luke Garrett to the sin bin late into stoppage time, the away side were unable to capitalise and referee Lewis brought the game to a close.

Full Time: Ebbw Vale RFC 31 Aberavon RFC 25

Tries: Cameron Davies (1), Ieuan Morris (1), Penalty try (1), Alfred Bateman-Lloyd (1)
Conversions: Will Ford (3)
Penalty: Will Ford (1)

Ebbw Vale RFC’s next game is in the SRC Cup, away to Bridgend Ravens at the Electric Brewery Field on Saturday 14th February 2026, with kick off at 2:30pm.

Written by Alex Kinsella-Evans