Ebbw Vale ground out a home win largely through dominant forward power on an afternoon where autumn kicked in for the first time.
The first half was particularly tight, and unusually in modern rugby the sides went in at the break drawing 3-3, a throwback to an era of Welsh rugby dogfights.
The game was somewhat spoiled by weak officiating, namely a referee who failed to stamp his authority on the game and unhelpful assistants on the line.
Fortunately for fans of the Steelmen, a strong scrummage, ample lineout ball and the superb rolling maul got them through. The only try of the game was via a 15 yard rolling maul completed by Ronnie Kynes.
It's been a great start for Ebbw Vale on their return to the Premiership, as they sit top of the table with only one defeat (against Newport), but have difficult games coming up including next Friday away at Carmarthen Quins and the following Friday against the powerful Pontypridd.
