EBBW Vale have been thrown out of the Konica Minolta Cup competition for fielding an ineligible player in their third round 29-5 victory over Glamorgan Wanderers on December 18, writes Paul Tully.

Club forwards coach Chay Billen's flanker nephew Cory was a late call up into the squad from Brecon RFC and went on for the last ten minutes or so, by which time the game was won.

His services had apparently been sanctioned by the Brecon coaches but unfortunately the Brecon committee refused to ratify it and sign the relevant permit paperwork.

They reported the matter to the WRU who have thrown Ebbw Vale out of the competition, leaving beaten opponents Glamorgan Wanderers, who did not complain, to face Carmarthen Athletic in round four on January 22.

"We are bitterly disappointed to be out of the competiton and with the way Brecon RFC have conducted themselves over this matter," said Vale team manager Alan Harries.

"We have had permits from Newbridge and Pontypool to play players this season and it was done through their coaches, and we received a permit from Brynmawr without any problems.

"But it seems someone at Brecon has taken umbrage and feels his nose has been put out of joint and as a result we are out of the cup.

"But in the long run they will suffer because they may lose a couple of players over this."

Coach Chay Billen said: "We had only twenty fit players for the game and with Cory on a high after his selection for the British Colleges squad for New Zealand I thought it would be an opportunity to offer him a run out.

"He only went on for a short period when we put squad players on to give them a run-out but as a result we are out of the cup."

Better news for Vale, who also had three Welsh Premier Division points docked by the WERU earlier this season after they played uncontested scrums against Carmarthen is that for Steelman fullback Andrew McLaughlan is rejoining the club from Newport. "McLaughlan has been frustrated by the lack of opportunities at Rodney Parade and has completed the paperwork with an option for the club to retain his services for the 2005/06 season," said Harris.

"We are now waiting for the paperwork to be completed by Newport.

"We always rated him highly and were disappointed when he left us for Newport in the first place."

Meanwhile Vale's Australian tight head prop Ben Coutts is currently on a one month trial with Zurich Premiership side Sale Sharks, coached by former Vale captain Kingsley Jones The Manchester outfit require cover at prop for the next few months as they will lose Andrew Sheriden on international duty and will decide soon whether to sign Coutts on a short-term basis.

Vale still hold his registration and he will remain available to play for them.

"Ben has been a huge asset to the squad and if he has an opportunity to further his career the club will not stand in his way," said Billen.

Coutts told the Argus some weeks ago that he hopes to return home in the summer and obtain a place in the new Super 14 franchise in Perth.