Llandovery 43 Ebbw Vale 7, Indigo Premiership Cup Semi-final, 02/03/24

Ebbw Vale's visit to the Talbot Athletic Ground for its 10th WRU Cup semi-final ended in massive disappointment for the club's vocal and loyal supporters, as Llandovery demonstrated superiority in all aspects of the game.

The eagerly-anticipated contest followed two tight games in the league earlier in the season where honours were even between the sides. This, however, was no contest at all as a rare bad day from the Steelmen was compounded by a quick, well-drilled Llandovery outfit. Not even Ebbw's big pack could get any foothold as even the set pieces yielded little joy.

Right from the off, the Drovers were sharper and more clinical as they raced to a half time 29-0 lead, through tries from Jac Davies, Ioan Hughes, Adam Warren and Jamie Hughes, supplemented by 3 conversions and a penalty from Hughes.

Any hopes of an Ebbw revival after the break were quickly dissipated with a further try from Davies (although there seemed to be a blatant knock-on as he gathered the kick through). There was a late Ebbw consolation score from Reece Dunn converted by Kieran Meek, but Ebbw's pain was not over as Llandovery Number 8 Joe Powell completed the rout. Both tries were converted.

Whilst Ebbw supporters have some gripes about infringements leading to two of the Drovers tries, let's be clear that the best team won, and Ebbw's 53-year wait for a Cup Final on Welsh soil goes on. On a personal note, I've now seen Ebbw in seven semi-finals and have yet to see a victory.