Match Report – Grand Final

Ebbw Vale suffer heartbreak in the final

The Steelmen played their second play off final in two years at the Ciner Glass Community Stadium against Llandovery RFC in front of the S4C cameras.

Within the first few minutes, Llandovery took a quick lineout inside the hosts half. A quick one-two saw the ball be passed to flyhalf Ioan Hughes who went over the line chased by Ebbw flanker Sion Parry. However, after reviewing the try on the screen, referee Carwyn Sion concluded Hughes had crossed the dead ball line and overturned his decision of a try.

Moments later there was a long pause in play. On the 14^th minute, the first substitution of the game was made by the Steelmen after number eight Owen Conquer had to leave the field with concussion after what looked like a nasty injury. Conquer was replaced by Lewis Young.  The TMO intervened and referee Sion decided to show the away side`s second row Joe Powell a yellow card for a shoulder to the head challenge. Evan Lloyd slotted the penalty to put Ebbw three points in front.

With the Drovers on the front foot. The away side were awarded a penalty when Luke Garrett committed a crock roll. The away sides number ten Hughes drew the scores level from the tee.

With a period of play being played on the away sides try line, a penalty awarded by referee Sion saw Lloyd kick to the corner.  From the resulting lineout the host`s forwards accompanied by the backs set up a driving maul and resulted in hooker Corey Lewis driving over the tryline to score the game`s first try. Lloyd kicked the conversion to put Ebbw seven points ahead.

Around the half an hour mark, some off the ball scuffling between Ebbw’s second row Curtis Gregory and Llandovery’s flanker Tom Curry saw both players sent to the sin bin for 10 minutes.

The Steelmen were reduced to thirteen for the remainder of the half when the home side scrum half Jon Evans was shown a yellow card for ripping the ball illegally.

Having kicked to the hosts twenty-two. The Drovers got quick ball off the lineout and centre Rhodri Jones sliced through the defence and scored near the posts. Hughes kicked the conversion to make it 10 all.

Despite the best efforts of the visitors, good defence by Ebbw saw the scores remain level going into the break.

Halftime: Ebbw Vale RFC 10 Llandovery RFC 10

Ebbw Vales first substitution of the second half saw coach Jason Strange bring prop Morgan Bosanko onto the field to replace Adam Williams two minutes after the interval.

The away sides second try of the game came ten minutes into the second half. After a good break by centre Abraham, quick ball out to Harri Doel, saw the winger score in the corner. However, Hughes was unable to add the extras.

Straight from the restart, a missed tackle on the away sides Jac Davies, saw the 15 make yards, draw the covering defence and pass to winger Doel, who crossed over the line unopposed. Hughes sliced the conversion through the uprights.

A further change by the Steelmen saw prop Adam Court replace Luke Garrett.

After applying the pressure, the Drovers sealed their win with thirteen minutes to go. After some clever football by the retiring Lee Rees, the scrum half fended off a defender to dive on the ball and score Llandovery’s fourth try of the game to give his side a seventeen-point lead. Hughes sent the ball wide of the uprights.

The hosts coach Strange made various substitutions in the closing moments, with scrum half Gruff Tough replacing Jon Evans, flanker Dylan Burrows came on for Alfred Bateman – Lloyd, centre and captain Dom Franchi went off to be replaced by Cameron Davies, winger Ryan Gardner came on for Mitch Rankine and hooker James Talamai came on for Corey Lewis.

Ebbw were to see out the game with fourteen after referee Sion viewed the monitor and decided to show second row Dylan Bartlett a red card for head contact on an opposing player at the ruck. From the penalty, Hughes sent the ball wide of the posts to bring the game to a close.

Fulltime: Ebbw Vale RFC 10 Llandovery RFC 27

Try: Corry Lewis

Conversion: Evan Lloyd

Penalty: Evan Lloyd

S4C Man of the Match: Sion Parry

Everyone at Ebbw Vale RFC would like to thank their volunteers, sponsors and supporters for their support during season and look forward to seeing you again next season

Written by Alex Kinsella-Evans