IT’S now four wins from five Super Rygbi Cymru matches for high-flying Ebbw Vale after they saw off RGC – but team manager Dan Haymond admits it’s that one defeat among those that still irks them, writes Carl Field.
The Steelmen showed their power as they came from 13-0 behind to eventually see off the Gogs 31-16 at Eugene Cross Park on Saturday.
Ebbw’s late show secured them all six points on offer while they also became the first side to successfully defend the SRC Challenge Shield, which they wrestled away from inaugural ‘holders’ Llandovery at Church Bank the week before.
They will next defend the Challenge Shield against Newport on November 23 in their next home match.
In terms of the league, the result against RGC backed up Ebbw’s home and away victories against Llandovery and leaves them sitting second and two points back on Cardiff, where they were beaten 29-12 last month.
“We’re happy with the start and probably would have snapped your arm off for this at the start of the season,” said Haymond.
“But again we were obviously really disappointed in the way we performed at Cardiff, because we didn’t show up really. It wasn’t that we were outplayed, we were just very poor that day.
“In hindsight now, it hurts a bit more looking at the other results we’ve had and how the league is panning out a bit.”
Against RGC, two huge penalty goals from inside his own from full-back Sam Earl-Jones and a Sam Stoddart try, converted by Billy McBryde, had put the visitors into the ascendancy.
Ebbw responded before the break through scrum-half Jon Evans, as he picked the ball up from the back of a scrum to grab a try, which Evan Lloyd improved, to cut their deficit to 13-7 at the pause.
McBryde and Lloyd then traded penalties, but RGC were then left to rue a spell where they created – and spurned – two clear try scoring opportunities.
Ebbw took full advantage and, after a spell of pressure and a succession of scrum penalties around the 70-minute mark, they were eventually awarded a penalty try to take a one-point lead in the game.
Further home tries followed from replacement Ieuan Evans and a second of the match for Jon Evans to seal the deal for the Steelmen with Lloyd improving both.
“It was a great win in the end, but they gave us a bit of fright and we had to battle for it,” added Haymond.
“Our set piece dominated in the second half, which really did the damage for us and got us over the line. To back up Llandovery was important and RGC have been going well this year.”
Meanwhile Tom Hancock’s first game since being appointed as the permanent head coach of Pontypool ended in defeat with his side on the wrong end of a 41-31 scoreline in an entertaining clash at Carmarthen Quins.
Hooker Lewis Morgan currently sits at the top of the league’s top scorers table and he took his tally so far to seven with two more here to inspire the Quins.
Rhodri Davies, Eilir George, Jac Howells and Rhys Fawcett were also on the scoresheet for the west Walians. Aled Thomas kicked four conversions and a penalty.
Scrum-half Morgan Lloyd was at the double for Pooler with wing Marcus Jones and Scott Matthews their other try scorers, as they did at least return home with a bonus point. Kieran Meek converted all four tries and also sent over a penalty.
“We had planned and prepped during the week and were confident we could go down there and get a win, so it was obviously a massive disappointment,” said Pooler try scorer Matthews.
“It’s a tough place to go but I think the major disappointing thing for us was conceding two driving maul tries, because that’s something we pride ourselves on.
“I’m sure that's also something we’ll hammer home in training this week.”
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