EBBW Vale may have only taken a losing bonus point and lost the Premiership leadership, but their style of rugby was hugely appreciated by an engrossed crowd at the Talbot Athletic Ground, writes Howard Evans.

It was a thrill a minute with the lead changing hands; Aberavon having scrum half David Pritchard sent off for alleged stamping after only 37 minutes and yet no score came in the last half hour of play.

Ebbw Vale coach Jason Strange had rushed back from Scotland to see a similar result to his Wales under-20 side’s effort at Galashiels, in that both Wales and Ebbw Vale played well, yet both had lost.

He said: “Yes, in some ways there was a similarity, but give Aberavon credit for their win and I suppose we overplayed it at times but we learnt a lot from the game.

“We lost lock Ashley Sweet with a hamstring in the warm-up and back-rower Spencer Gibson had to leave early with injury, yet it was a very tight affair throughout. The Aberavon pack played very well in the second half”

Aberavon coach Jason Hyatt commented: “We played with great character and commitment but Ebbw Vale still looked a very good outfit.”

David Langdon put Ebbw ahead with a penalty that was cancelled out by Cameron Clement’s effort four minutes later, yet Langdon restored the lead with a similar shot after 16 minutes.

Then came the first try, scored by Aberavon hooker Gareth Harvey that Clement converted but Langdon’s third penalty closed the home lead to one point until wing Richard Careter went over with Clement converting.

Ebbw’s answer was immediate as centre Adam Jones ran splendidly to score and after Pritchard’s dismissal the half closed at 17-14 to Aberavon.

14-man Aberavon raised their game but gave away an interception to wing Owen Wiliams who raced in from 80 metres for Langdon to convert.

Now it was Aberavon striking back as prop Rowan Jenkins set up a try for full back Joe Gage that Clement convert and he soon added a penalty for a six-point lead.

Ebbw threw everything at the home defence with skipper Damian Hudd leading the charges but somehow no further score would come and it was the home pack who took the final honours in what was an enthralling game of rugby.

Aberavon: J Gage, R Carter, W Price, D Ryan (D Evans 48), S Andrews; C Clement (C Thomas 62), D Pritchard; R Jenkins (N White 77), G Harvey (I Davies 58), R Harford (A Clatworthy 40), I Moore (capt), S Williams, L Purnell (R Dudley-Jones 48), B Thomas, J Tomalin-Reeves (D Davies 40).

Scorers: Tries: G Harvey, R Carter, J Gage. Cons: C Clement 3. Pens: C Clement 2.

Ebbw Vale: D Haymond, O Williams (T Watkins 78), T Hiscock, A Jones, T James; D Langdon (I Smerdon 70), C Thomas (R Downes 50); R Jones (J Lavender 50), R Francis (J Franchi 60), R Sevenoaks (G Robinson 50), D Hudd (capt), J Jacas, R Clarke (G Rusby-Davies 67), S Gibson (L Young 18), C Regan.

Scorers: Tries: A Jones, O Williams. Con: D Langdon. Pens: D Langdon 3.

Referee: Leighton Hodges (Bridgend).