JASON Strange believes ‘the Ebbw Vale way’ is key to the Steelmen being 160 minutes away from winning the Premiership.
The Steelmen face Gwent rivals Newport at Spytty Park in the semi-finals on Saturday (kick-off 5.15pm) with the winners either travelling to Llandovery or hosting Cardiff in the final.
Ebbw narrowly missed out on the play-offs last season but were comfortably in the top four in 2023/24.
They ended with a record of 18 wins from 24 games and enjoyed successes over all three of their rivals for the title when finishing third.
Ebbw brought back head coach Strange in December 2021 and the former fly-half, who laid the foundations for the club’s 2016 Premiership win, has helped them climb the table to become contenders.
“It’s something that we have been building towards as a club for a long time. As a collective, we have worked hard to put ourselves in this position,” said Strange.
“It’s a big opportunity and we want to be in games like this, it’s why you play the game.
“What pleases me more than anything is that we have done it the right way by being ourselves and we haven’t lost our identity as a club.
“We haven’t spent money that we don’t have and we haven’t lost our values. That will be a big advantage in the Elite Domestic Competition next season because a lot of teams will have to cut wages for the salary cap.
“We don’t have the biggest budget or resources but our biggest strength is that the players are best friends.
“That’s a great trait to have and a big strength for the team – they are really close and work hard for each other.
“We have developed a lot of depth in the squad and I can’t speak highly enough of the youngsters who have come in.”
Ebbw last played on April 18 when they edged out Pontypool at Eugene Cross Park.
They then had to wait to see who finished top of the pile and Llandovery pipped Newport to ensure it’s a trip to Spytty rather than Church Bank in the semis.
The Black and Ambers are on a 14-game winning streak – including a dramatic late win at Eugene Cross Park – but that doesn’t faze Strange.
“It will be a great atmosphere and a 50/50 game that will come down to one or two key moments,” he said.
“We have a good record against Newport in recent years – we have beaten them in three of the last four – so will go down there with confidence.
“As a team, our biggest strength is that we have learnt how to win. When you understand what works for you, that helps to win big games.
“That is important on the Newport pitch, because it is narrower than most rugby grounds and you have to play a certain way on it.
“I won’t give too much away but it forces you to do certain things and we will be clear about what we think will win the game.”
Ebbw won 28-20 when the sides met on a wet Newport afternoon in November thanks to a 23-point haul from former Dragons fly-half/full-back Evan Lloyd.
The Black and Ambers got revenge at Eugene Cross Park in March when Elliot Ferriman went over in the corner late on for a 31-25 triumph.
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