Match Report Cardiff 37 Ebbw Vale 19

Ebbw lose on the road

The Steelmen met their match against a determined Cardiff side in their first game at Cardiff Arms Park, after a three-week break.

The home side went ahead within the first five minutes when hooker Alun Rees crossed the line from a driving maul inside the visitors twenty-two. However, flyhalf Harri Wilde sent the conversion wide.

The hosts scored their second try of the game shortly afterwards when Evan Rees scored. Again, Wilde missed the conversion.

The Rags scored their third try of the half when centre Elijah Evans showed his speed to cross the line. Wilde sent the ball through the posts to extend his teams lead to seventeen points.

The visitors scored their first try of the game when from concerted pressure, full back Morgan Richards crossed the line to score out wide. Outside half Evan Lloyd added the extras.

With the first half deep into injury time, good work by the Ebbw Vale forwards was rewarded with flanker Sion Parry scoring the Steelmen’s second try. Lloyd was unable to add the extras.

Halftime: Cardiff RFC 17 Ebbw Vale RFC 12

Ebbw Vale coach Jason Strange started to ring the changes. Firstly, scrum half Rory Harries and prop Adam Williams left the field and were replaced by Gruff Tough and Morgan Bosanko, then hooker Ieuan Morris came on for captain Joe Franchi.

With both teams taking it to each other, neither side was able to add to the scoreboard until just before the hour mark.

The first try of the second half was scored by the home sides winger Dewi Cross, who scored out wide after good work by the Blue and Blacks. Wilde was unsuccessful with the conversion.

The hosts took the game further away from Ebbw when full back Joe Goodchild collected the ball to score by the posts. Flyhalf Wilde added the extras to widen the gap to 17 points.

The visitors were forced into a further change when replacement Gruff Tough was forced off due to injury. Dylan Edwards came on for Tough.

Shortly afterwards prop Morgan Williams and second row Alfred Bateman-Lloyd came onto the field for Luke Garrett and Curtis Gregory.

With the game entering the final ten minutes, a penalty by home number ten Wilde extended the lead further.

Cardiff scored their sixth try of the contest courtesy of Gwilym Bradley. Wilde was unsuccessful with the conversion.

The away sides final replacements saw centre Cameron Davies and number eight Lewis Young enter the field for Dom Franchi and Ryan Jenkins.

Late on, referee Keith David sent Cardiff replacement Joe Williams to the sin bin for the remainder of the game.

With the final play of the match, the Steelmen scored a consolation try. Replacement Dylan Edwards crossed after pressure by the away side. Lloyd brought the game to a close by sending the ball through the middle of the posts.

Full Time: Cardiff RFC 37 Ebbw Vale RFC 19

Tries: Morgan Richards (1), Sion Parry (1), Dylan Edwards (1)

Conversions: Evan Lloyd (2)

The club would like to thank the fans who made the trip to the capital, for their amazing support for the team during and after the game.

Ebbw Vale’s attention now turns to the cup, with their next game against Swansea RFC at Dunvent RFC on Sunday 1st February 2026, with kick off at 2:30pm.

Written by Alex Kisella-Evans