Match Report – Swansea RFC 20 Ebbw Vale RFC 40
Ebbw Take a Gripping Victory at St Helens
Ebbw Vale come away from a gusty St Helens with six points in a game where the forwards laid the platform for a dominant performance.
From the kick-off Ebbw Vale had a scrum from a Swansea knock on. From the set piece the referee awarded Ebbw Vale a penalty. After multiple lineouts in the Swansea half, Ebbw Vale scored their first try of the afternoon when hooker Ieuan Morris crashed over the line from the all too familiar rolling maul. Evan Lloyd was unsuccessful with the conversion.
After having some play in the Ebbw Vale half, Flyhalf Josh Philips scored his sides first points of the game from a penalty.
Ebbw Vale hooker Morris scored his second try of the afternoon, again from the rolling maul. Flyhalf Lloyd successfully added the two points.
The All Whites were reduced to fourteen men when number eight Dan Gemine was shown a yellow card for ill-discipline.
With the visitor’s forwards being dominant in the scrum, scrum half Rory Harries touched down from the back of the scrum to score the away side`s third try of the game. Outside half Lloyd was successful with the conversion.
After spending some time with the ball in the Ebbw Vale half, from a lineout inside the Steelmen`s twenty-two saw home hooker Jamie Cox finish off the move to score his side`s first try. Philips added the extras.
Further ill-discipline by the home sides second row Ben Roberts saw him get yellow carded and his side again reduced to fourteen men.
With the forwards having the grit between their teeth, a huge push by the Ebbw pack saw number eight Ryan Jenkins touch the ball down at the base of the scrum for Ebbw Vale`s bonus point try. Lloyd kicked the conversion to extend his team’s lead going into half time.
Halftime: Swansea RFC 10 Ebbw Vale RFC 26
During halftime, Ebbw coach Jason Strange replaced double try scorer Ieuan Morris with Captain Joe Franchi. Further changes moments later by coach Strange, saw props Luke Garrett, Adam Court and Flanker Cameron Regan be replaced by Adam Williams, Morgan Davies and Curtis Gregory.
A third yellow card to the home side saw flanker Geraint Powell spend ten minutes in the sin bin.
Despite the changes, the Ebbw Vale pack remained dominant and after going through the phases in the home sides twenty-two, from the final pick and go Jack Pope crossed the line to score the Steelmen`s fifth try. Lloyd added the extras.
Ebbw Vale`s number eight Ryan Jenkins was then replaced by Lewis Young on approximately the hour mark. Moments later scrumhalf Rory Harries was replaced by Dan Buffrey.
Mid-way through the second half both teams were reduced to fourteen men when Ebbw Vale`s second row Dylan Bartlett and the All-Whites number eighteen Ellis Fackrell were both shown the yellow card for an altercation off the ball.
After spending some time in the Swansea half, the away side`s centre Cameron Davies showed his speed to chop through the defence and score Ebbw’s sixth try of the afternoon. Lloyd kicked the conversion successfully.
Ebbw`s final changes saw Morgan Richards come on to replace number ten Evan Lloyd and Ieaun Evans came on for try scorer Cameron Davies.
With the game becoming disjointed after so many substitutes, Swansea spent time in the Ebbw vale half. From a lineout in the Ebbw twenty-two Swansea scored their second try, when replacement Tom Edwards went over unopposed. Philips was unsuccessful with his conversion attempt.
Playing with confidence the hosts applied pressure to the Steelmen`s line only to be stopped by illegal play. The away side`s Jack Pope spent the remainder of the game in the sin bin.
Credit to Swansea for never giving up. With the final play of the game, the All Whites stretched the visitors defence and scored their third try out wide. Philips`s attempt drifted wide of the posts with the final kick of the game.
Full time: Swansea RFC 20 Ebbw Vale RFC 40
Tries: Ieuan Morris (2), Rory Harries (1), Cameron Davies (1), Ryan Jenkins (1), Jack Pope (1)
Conversions: Evan Lloyd (5)
After the game we spoke to second row Jack Pope. Jack thought it was a very entertaining game and was happy to come away with the win, after travelling down to St Helens. Jack said the team knew they had to challenge Swansea up front, in the lineouts and scrums, which is what they did.
Picture Courtesy of Ebbw Players
Ebbw Vale`s next game is away to Aberavon RFC at The Talbot Athletic Ground on Saturday 7th December 2024. with kick off at 2:30pm
Written by Alex Kinsella-Evans