EBBW Vale boss Nigel Davies hailed the heart of his team after the Steelmen upset the odds to become Principality Premiership champions.

Ebbw thrashed Pontypridd 38-12 at Sardis Road to lift the title six years after they were relegated from the top flight of club rugby.

They rebuilt with two Division One East and two Swalec Championship titles and were runners-up in the grand final in 2015.

But this year they went one better in emphatic style at the infamous ‘House of Pain’ with tries by flanker Ronny Kynes (2), wing David Williams (2) and full-back Dan Haymond sealing a stunning triumph.

Ebbw won 11 of 12 games to qualify for the play-offs and after beating Llandovery in the semi-final saved their best until last to add to their regular season victories against Ponty.

“I am very proud of them, the team spirit here is second to none and is as good as anywhere I have been involved in,” said former Scarlets and Gloucester supremo Davies.

“That is what gets you across the line. They’ve worked extremely hard for each other, worked hard at the detail around the technical side of the game but above all else they have just shown heart and spirit.

“That was shown in bags in the first half when we just had to defend. They just kept on making their tackles and Ponty had nowhere to go.”

He continued: “The team spirit, the work rate and the ethic is phenomenal. That’s what has got them through.

“There’s a lot of experience in this team having been to one final and we used all of that momentum to get us over the line.

“To come here and win the game against a very good side who have won the last four titles, for us to come here and win in the manner that we did is fantastic.”

Davies also paid tribute to the ‘Ebbw Addicts’ who, as ever, came out in force to back their team loudly from the Sardis Road terrace.

“I am delighted for them because they are a great bunch,” said the former Wales coach. “We have a hardcore of supporters who come to training and to every game.

“This will mean everything to them and they deserve this… it’s going to be an interesting night in Ebbw!”