Ebbw Vale 20 Carmarthen Quins 26, 24/10/15

It was a second, consecutive home defeat for Ebbw Vale as a late interception try by the Quins stole the points just as the Steelmen were pressing for a fourth try and a winning bonus point.

In truth it was another underwhelming home side display, lacking the spark and 'dog' of recent seasons. The Quins had only won once this campaign prior to this away day success.

The visitors deservedly led 14-16 at half time, with Ebbw tries coming from Ian Smerdon and Chris Thomas. The home faithful thought that the win has been secured with a late David Williams corner crossing, but the late steal by the men from the west put paid to that.

The fact that no points came from the normally dominant Ebbw pack speaks volumes, as not even the trusted rolling maul functioned to full effect.

The club hierarchy have some thinking to do ahead of next Saturday's visit to Pontypridd.

First half pics

Second half pics

Ebbw Vale 24 Cross Keys 26, 12/10/2015

Ebbw Vale's unbeaten home league record for the season disappeared, as they came unstuck against a battle hardened and streetwise Cross Keys who deservedly won this Gwent derby.

The Steelmen were not at the races in the first half and were 2nd best at the breakdown and lineout. In fact they were lucky to go in for the halftime cuppa trailing only by 8 points to 10, thanks to a try against the run of play via some fine handling, finished off by Ryan Gardner.

The game was seemingly over when Keys dominance turned into second half points, which yielded a 26-8 lead. At this point, it all looked over for Ebbw, but substitutions gave the lackluster home side some much needed fire, which resulted in another try for Ryan Gardner and one for Chris Leversley.

This gave Ebbw late hope of a victory from the jaws of defeat, but it was not to be. Ebbw will need to improve their lineouts when Ashley Sweet is absent and regain their abrasiveness at the breakdown, starting with a visit to Llanelli next Saturday.

Triaxis + Forever Vendetta + Etherian + Cadacus, The Scene, Swansea, 08/10/2015

Out on a school night? Whatever next! Well it is Triaxis I suppose and, after an unforgivable 18 month gap since seeing them last, it really was about time.

The band sound and look better than ever. Fresh off the back of an impressive 3rd album, Zero Hour, they gave us an hour of hard hitting metal, which extensively featured the new product.

A few old favourites have gone from the set, but "Black Trinity", "Sand And Silver" and "Under Blood Red Skies" deservedly survive from the 'Rage And Retribution' album.

They encored with a superb version of the Rainbow classic "Stargazer", one of Ritchie Blackmore and Ronnie James Dio's finest hours (not to mention Cozy Powell).

At another new venue for this blog we also saw Forever Vendetta, Etherian and Cadacus.

Krissie and 'new' bassist Becky Baldwin

Glyn on lead guitar

CJ on guitar, Giles on drums and Krissie

Ebbw Vale 34 Cardiff 22, 03/10/2015

In a classic case of the cliched 'game of two halves', the Steelmen ran out bonus point winners over Cardiff thanks to an outstanding and unanswered 32 first half points.

For the first 30 minutes or so, the home side were superb and seemingly had the points in the bag due to 2 tries from Ronny Kynes, one from Ethan Doyle and a penalty try.

Ebbw Vale seemed determined to put last week's embarrassing show at Llandovery well and truly behind them.

It was a different story second half, as the combination of a wounded Blue and Blacks outfit, 2 sin binned props for Ebbw Vale and some lightweight tackling by the hoops, led to a resurgence from the capital city club.

It's a good Ebbw Vale side, but they're not quite yet putting in a complete 80 minute display, which they'll need to do against tougher opposition, starting with Cross Keys on Saturday.

There's some great footage on you tube here.

Ebbw Vale 22 Neath 0, 19/09/2015

Ebbw Vale recorded a comfortable win over a limited Neath side to record a third consecutive league win to start the season, but will be disappointed not to gain a bonus point.

2 Steffan Jones tries plus one for Joe Franchi were sufficient to see off the visitors, but in a game where Ebbw's pack were totally dominant, more tries should have been scored with the possession won.

 

Ebbw Vale 30 Newport 6, 12/09/2015

It's always good to win a Gwent derby against your biggest rivals, but Ebbw Vale gave out a rugby lesson to Newport at the first home league game of the season, and ran in a bonus point victory.

A Catch'n Kynes, a penalty try, a David Williams interception and, for the bonus point, a try for Rhys Buckley secured the win, based upon a totally dominant pack.

The match ball sponsor was Eye For Finance.