Monday, April 11, 2016

Ebbw Vale 8 Llandovery 16, SWALEC Cup 1/4 final, 09/04/16

It was afternoon of disappointment for Ebbw Vale supporters as their side were dumped out of the Swalec Cup at the quarter final stage by a well drilled Llandovery whom, in fairness, deserved their place in the semi finals.

The WRU's principal cup competition is something of a poisoned chalice for long standing Ebbw Vale fans, as the club have never won it in its 45 year current format, and, in not doing so, are probably the most senior club side in Wales to fail to lift this silverware.

Hopes were high this season that the Steelmen's juggernaut pack and solid defence would lay the foundations for a run to the final.

It was not to be however, as the pack's famed rolling maul off the lineout failed to get going. To be honest, it was superbly defended by the Drovers who had clearly done their homework, and used every method possible (not all of them legal) to stop Ebbw driving towards the line.

Overall though, Ebbw weren't at their best and maybe the 3rd game in 8 days had taken its toll at this stage of the season. Llandovery were worthy winners and looked far more clinical with ball in hand.



Ebbw Vale have one more game left in the regular season and will need to beat Aberavon at home to be in with a chance of the play offs. Despite currently being top of the league, the chasing pack have winnable games in hand and results will need to go Ebbw's way to extend the season into May.










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