Match Report Ebbw Vale 28 Bridgend Ravens 21

Ebbw sneak through to the Semi-Final 

Ebbw played Bridgend Ravens on a lovely day at the Ciner Glass Community Stadium, in the quarter final of the Super Rygbi Cymru play offs. The game saw prop Adam Williams make his 50th appearance for the club. 

Within minutes off the kick off, from a maul in the Steelmen’s twenty-two, referee Ben Whitehouse awarded Bridgend a penalty try and yellow carded flanker Ben Main for ill discipline at the maul.  

Moments later Ebbw struck back, when full back Morgan Richards scored in the corner. Flyhalf Evan Lloyd slotted the conversion to make it seven all.  

Momentum swung back and forth between both teams, until with the last play before halftime the away side struck again. Centre Gethin O’ Callaghan used his strength to go over the line despite being tackled. The conversion was successfully kicked by Lloyd Wilkins to bring the first half to a close.  

Halftime: Ebbw Vale RFC 7 Bridgend Ravens 14 

The home side coach Jason Strange made his sides first changes of the game when Alfred Bateman- Lloyd and Morgan Bosanko came on for prop Adam Williams and second row Dylan Burrows.  

The hosts hit back to draw the scores level. From a rolling maul inside the visitors twenty-two, Ebbw hooker and top try scorer Ieuan Morris dived over the line. Lloyd added the extras to make the score 14 all.  

Minutes later Jason Strange made further changes when Owen Conquer, who returned from injury and Gruff Tough came on for flanker Ben Main and fullback Morgan Richards.  

However, the Ravens were to take the lead once again. A good run by Tom Florence, saw the centre break through tackles in the middle of the pitch and score Bridgend’s third try of the game. Wilkins added the extras.  

The home side forwards then got the grit between their teeth and responded with a try of their own. After good work by the forwards, the ball made its way to replacement Tough, who powered over the line, despite being tackled by the visitor’s players. Number ten Lloyd let the ball soar through the posts to make it 21 all with 15 minutes left to play.  

Further changes by Ebbw Vale coach Strange saw outside half Tom Price, centre Cameron Davies and prop Adam Court replace Jon Evans, Luke Garrett and Dom Franchi.   

The decisive score then came from the hosts. From a lineout inside the Bridgend twenty-two the Ebbw forwards got the maul going and hooker Ieuan Morris benefited to score the try.  Outside half Lloyd was on fire with the conversions to put his team 28 – 21 ahead.  

Replacement prop Adam Court had to be replaced by Luke Garrett and with the game ending, number eight Ryan Jenkins was helped off the field and replaced by hooker James Talamai.  

Despite the best efforts of both sides no further points were added to the scoreboard and the Steelmen progressed to the semifinal. 

Fulltime: Ebbw Vale RFC 28 Bridgend Ravens 21 

Tries: Morgan Rees (1), Ieuan Morris (2), Gruff Tough (1) 

Conversions: Evan Lloyd (3) 

Ebbw Addicts Man of the match: Sion Parry  

Ebbw Vale’s next game is the play off semi-final against Newport RFC at the Ciner Glass Community Stadium on Sunday 3rd May 2026, with kick off 16:45. The game is shown live in front of the S4C Clic cameras. 

Written by Alex Kinsella-Evans