Ebbw Vale 19 Cross Keys 19 (Keys win 2-1 on tries), Swalec Cup Semi Final, 14/04/12

As ever with Ebbw Vale it was a case of so near yet so far, as a last minute penalty denied them a famous victory and broke the hearts of the Steelmen faithful.

It seems to be part of the dna of the club to fail just at the moment that victory is imminent. Long standing supporters will quote dates and games of many such glorious defeats.

That does not though take away from a massive effort by all concerned in what has been a great cup run in a fine 2011/12 season.

From the Ebbw website:

Despite yet another magnificent performance by the Steelmen, it was Cross Keys who progressed to the SWALEC Cup final by virtue of scoring two tries to the one that Ashley Sweet got for Ebbw. Although it ended 19-19, the touchdowns by Gareth David and Tom Lampard were enough to set up a final date with Pontypridd who sneaked past Newbridge, 28-24, in the other game in Cardiff.

The immediate after match scene was truly bizarre, as the Ebbw players and coaches saluted the thousand or so red, green and white supporters in the Hazell stand and terrace, with the chants of "Ebbw, Ebbw" filling the ground and prompting one Newport steward to comment, "We don't get that much noise when the Dragons are here!" Cross Keys, the victors, huddled together in the dead ball area. A casual observer would not have guessed which team had just been knocked out and which was heading for the final.

There's another write up here: South Wales Argus report.