THE words of ‘The Sloop John B’ poured out of a happy Ebbw Vale dressing room after the Steelmen gained a splendid Principality Premiership win at the Talbot Athletic Ground, writes Howard Evans.

The attitude of captain Damian Hudd typified the Ebbw effort as though forced off with injury after 68 minutes, he stood cheering his side on.

“I still have a leg strain,” said the muddied, but smiling Hudd. “I guess you have to put it down to old age!”

Ebbw Vale led 18-0 at the interval with the rain and high wind at their backs and then did splendidly to hold Aberavon to two tries as the Wizards stormed back.

Aberavon coach Jason Hyatt gave credit to Ebbw, saying: “We made too many mistakes and Ebbw were an efficient team who took full advantage.”

Ebbw’s head coach Nigel Davies commented: “We know how hard it is to come here and win, but we had done so at Pontypridd and this was another good performance by the players. We tried to play an expansive game and I was well satisfied with the win.

“In conditions like this the half backs have to play and our pair did so.”

Ebbw’s scrum was splendid and young No 8 Harri Keddie was outstanding with half backs Chris Thomas and David Langdon hardly making a mistake and centre Jordan Howells also had a fine match.

Ebbw Vale took the lead when Langdon kicked a penalty.and wing David Williams had a fine run but Thomas kept the attacks going by firing out a quick, long service and Aberavon took 25 minutes to come over the halfway line.

Aberavon had lock Sam Williams carded and the first try came seconds later as Thomas joined his pack and gained the final touch.

Keddie then scored as the pack went over and Langdon converted though they soon had Cameron Regan carded, but right on half time Langdon added a drop goal.

Aberavon pulled back a try when wing Stefan Andrews went over, but Langdon landed another penalty before Keddie was carded and after 78 minutes a penalty try was awarded and Ashley Sweet was carded.

Aberavon – J Phillips; J Baker, J Gage (D Evans 68), M Jenkins, S Andrews; J Garland, D Pritchard; R Jenkins (R Forse 76), G Harvey (I Davies 40), A Clatworthy (J Thomas 58), I Moore (capt) (B Jones 58, C Clement 76), S Williams, R Dudley-Jones (C Davies 44), Ben Davies (N Brown 68), J Tomalin-Reeves.

Tries: S Andrews, pen try.

Ebbw Vale – D Haymond; D Williams, N Preece, J Howells, J Rosser; D Langdon, C Thomas; I George, M Williams (J Franchi 68), G Robinson, D Hudd (capt) (J Bartlett 68), A Sweet, C Regan, H Keddie, R Kynes (R Clarke 60).

Tries: C Thomas, H Keddie. Con: D Langdon. Pens: D Langdon (2). Drop Goal: D Langdon

Referee – Rhys Thomas (Cardiff).

Men of Match – Harrison Keddie (Ebbw Vale).