Match Report Ebbw Vale RFC 40 Pontypool RFC 15

An Early Christmas Present

Ebbw continue their fine form after claiming six points against Pontypool in front of a good crowd at the Ciner Glass Community Stadium. The game saw Evan Lloyd make his 100^th appearance for the club.

The first points of the game came to the visitors. Outside half Harri Ford put Pooler three points to the good after referee Ben Whitehouse penalised the hosts.

On the twentieth minute, the Steelmen hit back. Good play by the home side was finished by winger Dafydd Thomas in the corner. Fly half Dorian Jones kicked the conversion from the touchline.

Moments later the away side were first reduced to fourteen men, then thirteen. Firstly, referee Whitehouse sent Pontypool winger Marcus Jones to the sin bin, then hooker Aneurin James was sent to spend ten minutes on the touchline.

The home side benefited from their numerical advantage. From a lineout inside the visitors twenty-two, the hosts set up a rolling maul. The move was finished by captain Joe Franchi diving over the line. Number ten Jones added the extras.

With Pooler restored to fifteen men and the first half coming to an end, Ebbw Vale struck again. From a lineout, the forwards, assisted by the backs got the maul going again and hooker Franchi once again scored. Fly half Jones once again sent the ball between the posts to extend Ebbw’s lead to eighteen points.

Half Time: Ebbw Vale RFC 21 Pontypool RFC 3

The second half started in the same fashion as the first half finished. With the Steelmen on the front foot, centre Ethan Phillips stretched his legs to score a well taken team try. Jones continued his fine form from the tee by sending the ball through the sticks.

Within five minutes Pontypool struck. Good play by the forwards led to fly half Ford crossing the line. However, the young number ten struck the uprights with the conversion.

Ebbw coach Jason Strange started to ring the changes. Firstly scrum half Gruff Tough came on for Rory Harries, then minutes later the front row of Morgan Bosanko, Joe Franchi and Luke Garrett left the field to be replaced by Adam Williams, Ieuan Morris and Morgan Williams.

The hosts centre Phillips added his second try of the game, with Jones successful from the tee with the conversion.

Good play by the visitors saw replacement centre Pat Lewis score his sides second try of the game. Number ten Ford added the extras.

The Ebbw Vale bench was then emptied with Morgan Richards coming on for Dafydd Thomas, Lewis Young replacing Ryan Jenkins and Dom Franchi leaving field for Cameron Davies.

The final try of the game was scored by the Steelmen. After the forwards went through the phases, the ball was passed out wide to flyhalf Dorian Jones who went over in the corner. Jones was unsuccessful with the conversion.

Ebbw finished the game with fourteen men when second row Dylan Bartlett was shown a yellow card in the final moments.

Full Time: Ebbw Vale RFC 40 Pontypool RFC 15

Try scorers: Dafydd Thomas (1), Joe Franchi (2), Ethan Phillps (2), Dorian Jones (1)

Conversions: Dorian Jones (5)

Pictures courtesy of Richard Whitcombe

Ebbw Vale’s next game is the returned fixture at Pontypool Park on Saturday 27^th December 2025, with kick off at 2:30pm.

All the management, players and staff at Ebbw Vale RFC would like to thank everyone for their support so far this season and wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Full Squad for Pontypool was as follows

Written by Alex Kinsella-Evans