Ebbw Vale 26 RGC 10, Indigo Premiership, 30/09/2023

Ebbw Vale left it late to secure a winning bonus point via an injury time, fourth try from replacement scrum half Rory Harries, in a match where victory was rarely in doubt despite some unconvincing spells.

In quite a contrast to the heatwave of three weeks previously, conditions were more 'normal' for North Gwent at the end of September with grey cloud dominating the landscape.

RGC started well securing an early 3 points penalty. The home forwards soon got a grip and applied pressure. A neat move saw winger Harry Rees Weldon cross in the corner. This was followed by a classic lineout catch'n'drive with the backs joining in. Rhys Francis emerged as the try scorer. Evan Lloyd added the extras for a 12-3 half time scoreline.

The second half started as the first had finished. Ebbw forward pressure was applied in another driving maul as Francis crossed the whitewash once again. Lloyd converted.

A bonus point fourth try would appear to be a formality but it wasn't quite so straightforward as RGC mustered some stern resistance at 19-3 down, eventually resulting a converted try of their own.

As the clock ticked down, it appeared as though Ebbw has little chance of the elusive fourth try, but a broken down backs' move from the North Wales outfit, led to an Ebbw breakaway with great handling, culminating a last gasp try from Harries.

Ebbw Vale 38 Pontypridd 21, Indigo Welsh Premiership, 09/09/2023

It's a rare day when you have to wear sunscreen to a rugby match in Ebbw Vale, but a September heatwave meant that some 'bank' regulars took refuge from the striking sunlight by sitting in the grandstand.

On the field, Ebbw were looking to bounce back from an away defeat at Merthyr on the opening weekend, but once again a slow start threatened to undo all the good work put in during the week. Ponty raced to a 15-0 lead, with only two Evan Lloyd penalties able to shorten the deficit initially.

However, the Ebbw pack started to get a grip and a lineout and driving maul led to a Lewis Young touchdown converted by Lloyd to make it 13-15. A further Ponty penalty meant that the half time score was Ebbw 13 Ponty 18.

The second half was a different story as Ebbw imposed themselves on a mistake-ridden visitors outfit.

Flying winger Ryan Davies scored in the corner, converted by the outstanding Lloyd, who supplemented this with another 3 points penalty plus a drop goal.

Ponty got a foot in the half with a penalty of their own, but in reality it was all Ebbw. A disrupted lineout close to Ponty's line yielded a Ryan Jenkins try, and the game concluded with Man of the Match Lloyd powering over from close range and adding the extras, to make it a superb bonus point win for the Steelmen.

Match ball sponsors Eye For Finance

TUI Falesia Blue, Olhos d'Agua, Portugal, August - September 2023

 Some pics from summer holiday 2023...