Category Archives: Ebbw Vale Rugby

The weather claimed another victim on Saturday when Cross Keys were forced into a late postponemnt of their game with the Steelmen. The Pandy Park pitch was unplayable and the decision to call it off was announced at 1:30.

For the record, the Ebbw team was: Dan Haymond, Chris Levesley, Iain Smerdon, Nathan Preece, David Williams; Dai Langdon, Chris Thomas; Ross Jones, Joe Franchi, Gethin Robinson; Damien Hudd (capt), Ashley Sweet; Rhys Clarke, Ronny Kynes, Luke Crocker. Subs: Jonny Bowen, Ian George, Robert Sevenoaks, Joe Bartlett, Cameron Regan, Ethan Doyle, Dai Jones, Jordan Howells.

We are very grateful to Nantyglo RFC and Newbridge RFC for allowing permits for Dai Jones and Jonny Bowen. Kasino Netissä :: kasinopelitfi – Netticasino

Our postponed cup match at Newcastle Emlyn has been rearranged for Saturday, February 27th. This is the scheduled Quarter Final weekend so the winner will need to rearrange their Quarter Final match.

Our league game at Cross Keys on 20th February will go ahead as planned.

The team to play Newport at Rodney Parade this evening (Tuesday) is as follows

Dan Haymond (Captain), Craig Duncan, Srdan Majkic, Jordan Howells, Rhys Howells; Simon Veall, Dai Jones; Ian George, Joe Franchi, Lloyd Bridges; Joe Bartlett, Daniel Horler; Cameron Regan, Ben Papp, Michael Jones. Bench: Nicky Thomas, Lewis Morham, Stefan Blackmore, Harrison Fry, Craig Powell, Blain Meek, James Hall, Kier Hughes.

Many thanks to all the clubs who have granted permits for this game. it is much appreciated. onlinecasinohex.linkgoed.nl Casino-gokken – Online Casino Spellen

This article, written by Roy ‘REL’ Lewis, appeared in the match day magazine for Ebbw’s home match with Llandovery on January 30th, 2016.

GRAHAM POWELL – OUR FIRST INTERNATIONAL
In March 1957 Ebbw Vale celebrated when the Welsh selectors announced the team to play Ireland at the Arms Park. We had lost to England and Scotland and changes were called for, one of them was centre Graham Powell who had shown outstanding form in a successful Ebbw Vale side. He was our first capped player and one of our greatest centres.
Former player and Chairman of the club Allan Foster was among many saddened at the news of Graham’s death at the age of 83 but has many happy memories of him. “Graham Powell lived opposite me in Duffryn Road, Waunlwyd and was my boyhood hero. He went to Ebbw Vale Grammar School and Bristol University and went on to work in the petrol industry with Shell where he made quite a name for himself before moving to Total Oil where he became the top man in the UK.
“I remember he came to our Centenary Dinner in March 1980 and arrived in a chauffer driven car! He stayed in the Manor Hotel, Crickhowell where the Dinner was held. He told me how much he enjoyed such a memorable evening.
“Graham first played alongside Peter Clubb in the centre and when Peter went to Wigan he then formed a strong partnership with Dai Barrett from Blaina. His shoulder was first dislocated by a tackle in an Ebbw Vale game at Pontypool and he continued to have shoulder trouble after that. He would certainly have played more games for Wales had it not been for his shoulder and he retired fairly early at about 28 years of age. He was a charming man who was part of a great Ebbw Vale team in the Fifties.”
Graham Powell was a local man, born in Waunlwyd, educated in Ebbw Vale, played his first senior game for Cwm and finally was capped by Wales. Apart from his rugby feats, fellow pupils in the Grammar School remember his all-round athleticism, his academic qualities and perhaps above all his personality and as Allan Foster has said, his charm.

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An interesting look back at Graham’s time at Ebbw Vale County School, written by Eric Smith, can be accessed on the Ebbw Vale County Grammar School website, here.

The British and Irish Cup comes to Eugene Cross Park this Saturday, January 23rd, when a “Gwent Premiership Select XV” play Connacht Eagles, kicking off at 2 pm. This is an ‘all-pay’ game, and admission prices are £10 for adults, £5 concessions and under 16s go free.

The team is: Llywarch Ap Myrddin (Newport RFC), George Gasson, Connor Edwards (Dragons Academy/ Bedwas), Ross Wardle (Dragons), Aled Brew (Dragons), Josh Prosser (Cross Keys), Owen Davies (Dragons/ Newport RFC); Hugh Gustafson © (Dragons), Rhys Buckley (Dragons), Lloyd Fairbrother (Dragons), Scott Andrews (Dragons/ Cross Keys), Adam Brown (Newport RFC), Scott Matthews (Cross Keys), James Benjamin (Dragons), Harri Keddie (Dragons/ Ebbw Vale).

Replacements: Luke Garrett (Dragons/ Cross Keys), Leon Brown (Dragons Academy/ Cross Keys), Josh Skinner (Dragons Academy/ Cross Keys), Andrew Waite (Bedwas), Owain Leonard (Dragons Academy/ Cross Keys), Barney Nightingale (Dragons/ Newport RFC), Aaron Warren (Dragons).

Due to adverse weather, and having already had to postpone the game away at Newport, the Challenge Cup game this evening, Wednesday, 20th January, will now be played at the all weather facility at Ystrad Mynach, kicking off at 8pm. Entry is free for season ticket holders and £8/£5 for adults and concessions.

Be aware there is no  catering at the Ystrad Mynach facility but there are a couple of pubs in the immediate vicinity. Below the address of the Centre of Sporting Excellence :-
Caerphilly Road,
Ystrad Mynach,
Caerphilly
CF82 7EP

The team is Chris Levesley, David Williams, Nathan Preece, Iain Smerdon, Jared Rosser; Simon Veall, Tom Edwards; Ian George (capt), Joe Franchi, Robert Sevenoaks; Rhys Clarke, Daniel Horler; Cameron Regan, Dawid Rubasniak, Ethan Doyle.
Bench: Mathew Williams, Ross Jones, Gethin Robinson, Damien Hudd, Ronny Kynes, Dai Jones, Dai Langdon, Daniel Haymond.

Many thanks to Newport Gwent Dragons, Abergavenny RFC, Oakdale RFC and Nantyglo RFC for their support in permiting players to us for this fixture.

Wing Owen Williams has decided to leave the club after limited game opportunities this season, and has joined local rivals Newport. Owen  joined the club in the summer of 2014 from Pontypridd, played a major role in the club’s strong performance on our return to Premiership rugby and aided our transition from Championship rugby with his experience. Owen has been highly professional throughout his time at the club and we wish this highly likeable man all the best for the remainder of his rugby career

Also departing the Steelmen is young tight head prop Luke Leddington. Luke will switch to Newbridge in order to gain the consistent game time and training regime that he needs to progress at this stage of his carer. We fully expect to see Luke progress and return to challenge for a first team starting spot in the future.

Ebbw Vale will make their first trip in 20 years to Newcastle Emlyn in the 2nd round of the Swalec Cup. The game is to be played on the weekend of February 6th.

The draw in full is:

Newcastle Emlyn v Ebbw Vale
Beddau/Bridgend v Cross Keys
Newport/Carmarthen v Pontypool/Bedwas
Llanelli v Narberth/Merthyr
Llandovery v Newbridge
Pontypridd v Bridgend Athletic
Neath/Bargoed v Cardiff
RGC 1404 v Aberavon

Ebbw Vale will now play Cardiff at the Arms Park on the evening of February 12th, kicking off at 7:30 pm. The game has been brought forward from the Saturday afternoon as it would have clashed with the Wales v Scotland international match next door.

There is believed to be no truth in the rumour that the Scottish Rugby Union declined the WRU’s offer to move their game to the Friday night.

Nigel Davies has selected his team to take on Neath at the Gnoll on Saturday afternoon, kicking off at 2:30.

Dan Haymond, David Williams, Nathan Preece, Iain Smerdon, Jared Rosser; Dai Langdon, Chris Thomas; Ian George, Joe Franchi, Gethin Robinson; Damien Hudd (capt), Rhys Clarke; Cameron Regan, Ronny Kynes, Luke Crocker.
Bench: Mathew Williams, Ross Jones, Lloyd Bridges, Dawid Rubasniak, Ethan Doyle, Dai Jones, Chris Levesley, Jordan Howells.

The bench features 17 year old Dawid Rubasniak, the first of Jason Strange’s Ebbw Fawr Welsh Cup Final team to be part of an Ebbw Vale league squad; he has also recently joined the Dragons Academy. Scrum half Dai Jones is also on the bench, on permit from Bedwas, the club he joined from Ebbw in the close season. Many thanks to our friends at Bedwas for their help.

Neath have not been enjoying the best of seasons, losing 12 and drawing 1 of their 13 league matches. However, their Boxing Day draw with Aberavon will have boosted their confidence and Ebbw will need to be on top form if they are to secure the season’s double over the All Blacks.

The Ebbw Vale team to take on Bedwas in the third of three consecutive matches has been announced.

Dan Haymond, Jared Rosser, Nathan Preece, Iain Smerdon, David Williams; Dai Langdon, Chris Thomas; Ross Jones, Mathew Williams, Gethin Robinson; Damien Hudd (capt), Ashley Sweet, Rhys Clarke, Ronny Kynes, Harri Keddie. Bench: Joe Franchi, Ian George, Rob Sevenoaks, Cameron Regan, Luke Crocker, James hall, Jordan Howells, Owen Williams.

The Steelmen make a large number of changes for round 4 of the Fosters Challenge Cup at home to Bedwas on Wednesday evening, kick off 7:15. The team is as follows:

15 Tom Watkins, 14 Owen Williams, 13 Srdan Majkic, 12 Jordan Howells, 11 Jared Rosser; 10 Simon Veall, 9 Jac Jonathan; 1 Ian George, 2 Joseph Franchi, 3 Lloyd Bridges; 4 Damien Hudd (capt), 5 Anthony Brown; 6 Cameron Regan, 7 Dawid Rubasniak, 8 Ethan Doyle.
Bench: 16 Mathew Williams, 17 Ross Jones, 18 Robert Sevenoaks, 19 Harrison Fry,
20 Benjamin Papp, 21 James Hall, 22 Iain Smerdon, 23 Rhys Howells.

Many thanks to Rogerstone RFC, Oakdale RFC, Newbride RFC, Penallta RFC, Pill Harriers RFC, Caldicot RFC and Newport Gwent Dragons for permitting their players for this fixture. Gastenboek – Gokkasten + Casino Spellen + Online Casinos

Ebbw Vale travel to Bedwas this afternoon (December 12th) for the third of their Fosters Challenge Cup matches, and the first of three consecutive meetings with the Bridge Field men.

The team is: Chris Levesley, David Williams, Tom Watkins, Jordan Howells, Owen WIlliams; Iain Smerdon, Tom Edwards;  Ross Jones (Captain), Joe Franchi, Lloyd Bridges; Joe Bartlett, Rhys Clarke, Ronny Kynes, Ben Papp, Ethan Doyle. Subs from squad.

Fancy a bit of a knees-up with some of the Steelmen of that cup final team of 1998? Then you need look no further than this poster…

There are just two changes to the Ebbw Vale team that beat Aberavon for the home fixture against Bridgend on Saturday afternoon (2:30 kick off). Rhys Clarke and Ethan Doyle come in to the back row for Cameron Regan and Harri Keddie, respectively.

15 Dan Haymond, 14 David Williams, 13 Nathan Preece, 12 Jordan Howells, 11 Jared Rosser; 10 Dai Langdon, 9 Chris Thomas; 1 Ian George, 2 Mathew Williams, 3 Gethin Robinson; 4 Damien Hudd (captain), 5 Ashley Sweet; 6 Rhys Clarke, 7 Ronny Kynes, 8 Ethan Doyle. Bench: 16 Joe Franchi, 17 Lloyd Bridges, 18 Ross Jones, 19 Joe Bartlett, 20 Ben Papp, 21 Jac Jonathan, 22 Iain Smerdon, 23 Chris Levesley.

It is with much sadness that we have heard of the passing of our friend and WRU District representative Mr Ken Hewitt on Sunday (November 29th). Ken was a true rugby man and a great supporter of our club and those in our district. We offer our sincere condolences to his family.

Ken’s funeral will take place at St. Mary’s Church, Abergavenny, at 2pm on December 16th, followed by cremation at Gwent Crematorium, Cwmbran at 3:30 pm.

Head Coach Nigel Davies has announced his side for Saturday afternoon’s fixture at the Talbot Athletic Ground against Aberavon, who are currently 3 places and 9 points above the Steelmen in the Premiership.

Dan Haymond, David Williams, Nathan Preece, Jordan Howells, Jared Rosser; Dai Langdon, Chris Thomas; Ian George, Mathew Williams, Gethin Robinson; Damien Hudd (capt), Ashley Sweet; cameron Regan, Ronny Kynes, Harri Keddie.
Subs: Joe Franchi, Lloyd Bridges, Luke Leddington, Joe Bartlett, Rhys Clarke, Jac Jonathan, Iain Smerdon, Chris Leversley.

Congratulations are in order for Ebbw Vale back row forward Luke Crocker who has been selected for the Wales A squad in the he first two rounds of the HSBC World Rugby 7s series to be played in Dubai and Cape Town. Luke and his team-mates will find themselves in a tough pool, where they will face Kenya, England and Australia.

Best wishes from everyone at Ebbw Vale RFC.

With Christmas only a few weeks away, the club shop will be open on the following dates to purchase your Steelmen merchandise.

Thursday 19th November  6.00pm until 8.30pm
Thursday 26th November  6.00pm until 9.00pm
Thursday 26th November  6.00pm until 9.00pm
Thursday 3rd December   6.00pm until 8.00pm
Saturday 5th December   Bridgend Match Day 12.00pm until 2.15pm and 4.30pm until 6.00pm
Thursday 10th December  6.00pm until 8.30pm
Thursday 17th December  6.00pm until 8.30pm
Saturday 19th December 12.00pm until 3.00pm

We are an official supplier for the Mumph Christmas Calendar this year. The full size calendar is £8 and the desktop calendar is £5.50. These can be bought at the club shop. Mumph has also created an Ebbw Addict Mugby which can be bought in the club shop, costing £8 each or two for £15. It comes complete with a box!

Other Items on sale: club replica shirts, t-shirts, hoodies, polo shirts, rain jackets, club towels and beanies.Items can also be ordered using the form on the club website.

All at Ebbw Vale RFC were delighted to see a group of players given the opportunity to join the Regional Select BIC squad. Unfortunately 2 of the players, Dominic Franchi through injury and Ross Jones, work commitments, were unable to take up the opportunity.

The other players, Ashley Sweet, Luke Crocker, Adam Jones and Chris Levesley have spent time training with the squad, joined by our Dragons Academy player Harrison Keddie, with Luc Jones and Rhys Buckley who have also represented the Steelmen this season.

Backs coach Nick Wakeley, having impressed with his 7s coaching success, will also link up with the BIC squad as and when his Steelmen duties allow him too

The club wishes the whole squad a successful and enjoyable BIC campaign, and  would like to encourage all our supporters to go along and support the squad in the tournament home games