OUTSIDE-HALF Sam Mills was the point-scoring star as Ebbw Vale’s bid for first-time promotion back to the Welsh Premiership started with a home win at Eugene Cross Park.

Vale toppled visiting Llanharan, last season’s SWALEC League Division One East runners-up, 23-13, Blackwood were 29-18 winners at Treorchy – but there was a disappointing 26-21 home defeat for Newbridge at the hands of newly promoted Gilfach Goch.

In Division Two East, Tredegar, like Ebbw Vale seeking promotion at the first attempt, ran in eight tries in a 59-8 home demolition of Caerphilly, promoted Fleur-de-Lys began with a 38-24 win at Ynysybwl – but Brynmawr went down 31-18 at Llantrisant.

Mills kicked six penalties which supplemented a try from right- winger Wes Cunliffe – the points getting Vale off the mark at the first time of asking.

Director of rugby Neil Edwards expressed his delight at the outcome, but pointed out that the unavailability of the venue for pre-season friendlies due to cricket so nearly worked against his team.

“I know when I first played the ground I was a bit nervy, and to be honest one or two of our players choked a bit,” revealed Edwards.

“We had three away friendlies as build-up, but there’s nothing like playing in your own ground as part of those preparations.

“So because of that, we took time to settle – although in the end we had some 80 per cent possession.

“The game was mostly played 40 metres from their line, but we never created too much, in fairness.

“Llanharan, to their credit, defended very well and you can see that they are a well-drilled outfit.

“We still need to do a lot of hard work on the training-ground to move forward, but we have willing squad members.”

Blackwood finished 2009-2010 in third position, and their tries in that win at Treorchy came via wingers Anthony John (2) and Kristian Perry, plus second row Marc Williams – outside-half Danny Ellis slotting over three conversions and a penalty.

“We are delighted to begin with an away win, and also pleased that we stick to our task against very dogged opponents,” said joint Blackwood coach Jeremy Lloyd, who shares the duties with Jason Rogers.

“There’s plenty for us to work on and this is a potential banana skin of a game out of the way.”

Newbridge were two places lower in fifth, and their disappointment in losing their opener was evident in the words of team manager Darryl Williams.

“After all the behind-the-scene changes a home defeat to begin the campaign was something not planned for.

“I suppose only having four of last season’s squad in our starting line-up was too much, but we will take a few positives out of the match.”

Newbridge’s points came from tries by prop Dan Evans and blindside flanker Dean Gibbs, plus three penalties and a conversion by outside- half Richard Powell.

Fleur-de-Lys ran in four touchdowns – from centre Ieuan Morris, lock Dale Llewellyn, flanker Gareth McCarthy and a penalty try – while Matthew Lewis dropped a goal and outside-half Paul Emanuelli kicked a trio of conversions and as many penalties.

Tredegar crossed for no fewer than eight tries in that home thrashing of Caerphilly – centres Tom McPhearson and Craig Lloyd plus scrum- half Rhys Hallett all scoring twice, and right- winger Matthew Jolly and flanker Ron Kynes once each – with stand-off Dan Hayman successful with eight conversions and a penalty.

In Division Three East, Abergavenny, who narrowly missed out on promotion last season, won 27-3 at Rhymney, while Risca, up as champions, lost 30-13 at Pill Harriers.

Division Four East newcomers Blaenavon were 29-7 losers at Nelson, while the team they come up with, Oakdale, were 30-20 home winners over Machen.

Blackwood Stars started life in Division Five East with a 36-30 defeat at Monmouth, Beaufort were Division Six East’s biggest winners in beating visiting Cefn Fforest 47-0, while in Division Six South East, Whiteheads were the top scorers in seeing off St Julian’s with a 33-15 home success.