CF Lanzarote 4 UD Villa Santa Brigada 0, Tias, 27/04/2025

It's always great catch up with some Spanish Tercera Divison football when on Lanzarote.

On a bright beautiful Sunday morning, the home side ran out comfortable winners at their temporary home in the village of Tias.

A first half goal from Ivan Hujo was followed up after the break with strikes from Ale Fuentes, Matías Sosa and Adrían Machín to seal a dominant victory for the Rojillos.

Attendance: 400 approx.

The full match report is here.

Ebbw Vale 21 Swansea 17, Super Rygbi Cymru, 19/04/2025

Ebbw Vale closed out the regular season with a scrappy home win versus the All Whites, thereby securing second place in the process.

The Steelmen were coming off the back of a difficult week, playing their third match in 6 days having lost at both Newport and Aberavon, and a patched-up side just about got the job done against resilient visitors.

Ebbw opened the scoring in familiar fashion with a Joe Franchi rolling maul converted by winger Ewan Bowden. The Whites struck back through lively full back Harri Houston converted by Tai Rees.

Another Ebbw maul saw Franchi break away and crash over. Bowden converted.

Ieuan Cornelius finished off a fine move for the visitors to leave the half time score at 14-12.

After weathering good Swansea pressure, Ebbw extended the lead with replacement hooker Ieuan Morris finishing off a rolling maul, Bowden once again added the extras.

In all honesty, many substitutions did not help the flow of the game and Swansea definitely finished the game on top against a jaded home side. Houston scored again following a cross-field kick.

Ebbw Vale could now look forward to a home, play-off, quarter final versus Carmarthen Quins followed by a potential home semi-final.

Ebbw Vale 40 Carmarthen Quins 20, Super Rygbi Cymru, 05/04/25

Ebbw Vale eventually overcame a sluggish start against a determined Quins outfit to run out winners with 6 points in the bag to keep up the pressure at the top of the table.

The visitors were much the better side in the first half and opened the scoring with an early penalty. Ebbw hit back with a classic catch'n'drive with Ieuan Morris going over, converted by Evan Lloyd. Quins pressure was telling though with a further penalty followed by a try from the visiting hooker Lewis Morgan, converted by Elis Price (as were the penalties)

Half time Ebbw 7 Quins 13.

Ebbw came out with a point to prove and, with the whole front row replaced, set up the rolling maul for Joe Franchi to crash over converted by Lloyd. Quins hit back from broken play with a converted try of their own to make it 14-20.

From then on, the Steelmen pack took over. Franchi added another 2 trademark tries, one of which was converted by Lloyd. More forward pressure saw Curtis Gregory power over, with Lloyd adding the extras. With the game opening up in the final phases, centre Cameron Davies used his pace to pierce the tiring, visitors' defence. Lloyd converted.

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Glamorgan v Leicestershire, Day 1, County Championship Division 2, Cardiff, 04/04/25

The opening day of the county cricket season was marked by pleasant, warm, spring sunshine, as Glamorgan entertained Leicestershire in Division 2 of the championship.

The visitors won the toss and elected to bowl, proceeding to take advantage of any early morning moisture in the surface.

Glamorgan never really got going and in a lacklustre batting display only 41 from Eddie Byrom and 55 from Chris Cooke offered any resistance against an accurate Foxes attack.

In reply, Leicestershire looked less troubled and moved to 65 for the loss of only 1 wicket at the close of play.

 The full cricinfo Day 1 report is here

Ebbw Vale 44 Newport 21, Super Rygbi Cymru Cup Pool B, 01/03/2025

A glorious sunny day greeted spectators for this St David's Day encounter in Pool B of the Super Rygbi Cymru, and it was the home side who dominated throughout.

Despite an early Newport penalty, it was Ebbw's pack which took control of the game yielding first half tries for Adam Court from a rolling maul, Ryan Gardner following a Gruff Tough break (converted by Evan Lloyd), a penalty try when Newport were reduced to thirteen, and another catch and drive try from Joe Franchi.

Newport scored a try through David Richards.

Half time Ebbw 24 Newport 8

In fairness, Newport started the second half well with a converted try and the respective 10s swapping penalties, before another Newport penalty reduced the deficit to 6 points (27-21).

Following a raft of substitutions, Ebbw's pack took control again, with forward strength helping Sion Parry over the line. Lloyd added the extras and a penalty (37-21).

Ebbw's sixth and final try of the afternoon came when Lewis Young powered over, with Lloyd once again converting.