Llanelli 46 Ebbw Vale 16

IT IS always wrong to read too much into an opening game of a new season.

Ebbw Vale coach Mike Ruddock knew before this first Celtic League/Welsh-Scottish League encounter at Stradey Park on Saturday night his side would be up against it again this campaign.

Last season was a disaster and since then Vale have lost the experienced nucleus of their side and filled the gap with young, if promising newcomers.

Seven, in fact, were on display in this game and it will inevitably take time for them to gel and get used to the requirements of Premier rugby.

The fact that they eventually lost so heavily to a Scarlets side devoid of some star names will have been a disappointment and will have reinforced the magnitude of the task ahead.

But nevertheless Ruddock rightly took several plusses from the game as Vale showed, in the first half in particular, that they have got a solid pattern and individual ability to build upon.

They trailed only 10-9 at the interval after a massive rearguard effort and had new outside half Scott Mitchell not failed with two penalties, one particularly difficult, would have led 12-10.

But within 13 minutes of the restart Vale indiscretions enabled Llanelli's Wales Sevens outside half Gareth Bowen to kick four penalties for a 22-10 lead.

And with their tails up and Vale losing their pattern, Llanelli opened up to add four tries to their two first half efforts.

Vale have much to do at the set piece. They were outgunned in the scrums, lost the lineout thread after a promising start and were dreadful at the restarts.

Added to that they were never at grips with their opponents at the rucks and the result was scraps of possession.

Against a team of Llanelli's calibre that is not good enough, yet Vale showed glimpses of ability behind to suggest better things with more ball.

Centre Rhys Shorney carved through to present flanker Paul Williams with a 62nd minute try and was through again with no support.

Mitchell, too, made a clean break but failed to see Shorney racing up on his outside and the chance was lost as he ducked inside.

In that first half Vale put in some huge hits. Ex-Swansea centre David Weatherley enjoyed plenty and one by former Newbridge full back Matt James left Ian Boobyer needing treatment.

James showed tremendous promise, his line kicking was first class, he was safe under the high ball and he looked to counter as always.

He was unlucky that one counter-attack produced a superb pick-up by Bowen and a scything run which led to a Llanelli penalty and three points.

And his one lapse, a dropped pass behind his own line, eventually led to Ian Boobyer's try. But overall the signs were good.

Williams and second rows Neil Edwards and skipper Chay Billen, both of whom faded after bright starts, also worked hard in the first half when Vale's defence remained committed.

They held up scrum half Guy Easterby, a lively Llanelli skipper against his former club, over the line, but though they twice held the rampaging Silesi Finau up on the line also in the second half, they became more and more stretched and ragged under pressure.

Gwent's Chris Wyatt had a big game for Llanelli both in the lineout and with his work about the field and if he can maintain consistency could force himself back into the Wales reckoning.

Both Llanelli and Vale will improve with Ruddock hoping his side do so sufficiently to ensure far fewer sleepless nights than he was forced to endure last season. * In the picture: Llanelli's Barry Davies is beaten by Ebbw Vale outside half Scott Mitchell.