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.

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