Ebbw Vale 10 Pontypridd 22, SWALEC Cup, 21/01/15

On an afternoon of extreme weather conditions ranging from sunshine to snow showers, a large crowd saw the visitors from Pontypridd run out worthy winners by 22-10 in this SWALEC Cup encounter, and they will be the draw all others will want to avoid in the next round.

Ebbw Vale started well and gave a good account of themselves despite missing stalwarts Ashley Sweet, Ronny Kynes, Spencer Gibson and with Harrison Keedie resting from Wales U20 duty.

Ebbw's powerful scrum wrecked panic in Ponty's defence leading to a kick rush corner try for Owen Williams. With the try converted, a further penalty put the Steelmen 10-0 up, but a Ponty reply before half time meant that facing the second half wind/gale/blizzard (or 'bit of a breeze' in Trefil) with only a 10-7 advantage was going to prove onerous.

So it proved to be. A well drilled Ponty defence, and some squandered chances by Ebbw meant that a further two Ponty tries were sufficient to end the Steelmen's cup hopes for another year (44 seasons and counting).

Most sensible home fans had few complaints, but could take heart from a better display than those seen versus Cross Keys and at Aberavon in recent weeks. Furthermore, a pulsating Welsh cup tie on a winter's afternoon really exemplifies all that is good about Welsh club rugby: 2 proud clubs, with passionate support, played hard but fair.

Nonetheless, the two remaining home games against Bridgend and Bedwas are must win encounters if the Eugene Cross Park side are serious contenders for the Premiership Play-offs.

1st half pics

Ebbw enjoyed the better of the opening exchanges going into a 10-0 lead

Packing them in on the bank

Blinding sun!

2nd half pics

Ponty attack in a blizzard

Hard Rock Hell 8, Pwllelli, 14-15 November 2014

Another great weekend in North Wales up at the Hard Rock Hell. Loads of great bands. Some pics are here.


Y&T

Blue Pills

Thundermother

Blackwolf 

and the magnificent Girlschool

 

Ebbw Vale 36 Neath 17, Welsh Premiership, 24/01/15

On a January afternoon at the Heads of the Valleys which was perfect for open rugby, Ebbw Vale turned in their most comprehensive display of the season to record an excellent bonus point victory made up of 6 tries.

Forward power and incisive running behind ensured the home side scored tries through Dan Haymond, Ronny Kynes, Owen Williams, Rob Sevenoaks and two from Wes Cunliffe.

Ebbw Vale 19, Carmarthen Quins 14, Welsh Premiership, 10/01/15

In a high quality encounter at the top of the Welsh Premiership, Ebbw Vale emerged victorious over a very good Quins side, who could have nicked a win with the last move of the game.

As it was, 3 Ebbw tries from Rhys Downes, Ronny Kynes and a penalty try, were enough to give the Steelmen the four points in a display largely built upon Gwent forward power.

Ebbw Vale 36 Cardiff 18, Welsh Premiership, 03/01/15

Ebbw Vale recorded an excellent home victory over Cardiff, with a victory which was much more comprehensive than the scoreline suggests.

The Steelmen ran in 6 tries from Gethin Robinson, Dan Haymond, John Lavender, Damian Hudd, Ronny Kynes and Wes Cunliffe, thus yielding another 5 points in the title race.