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The National Eisteddfod is coming to Ebbw Vale in 2010. For more information, visit the Eisteddfod homepage.

Pontypool 14 Ebbw Vale 9

This match was always going to be a close Gwent local derby, especially as it had been dubbed a “must win” game for the two sides isolated at the foot of the Premier Division.  

The horrible weather conditions that set in just prior to kick off made certain that there would be very little open play, the game centred around the packs and some aerial ping-pong. The irony was that the winning score came from a well-executed threequarter move instigated by Dragons outside half Shaun Connor, appearing for Pontypool . He supplied great ball to his centres, then did a “wrap around” to appear on the outside at speed to take a pass one handed and cross the whitewash wide out.

Pooler had outflanked Ebbw twice in the first half, only for the unmarked Pooler right wing to drop both passes. Ebbw Vale did contribute to some excitement in mid-field as they also made two clean line breaks, only to be called back on both occasions for crossing.  

The rest of the match consisted of the packs slugging it in the mud and rain for control. The battle was fierce but fair, with each eight in the ascendancy in turn. Most possession was kicked away by both sides in an attempt to gain ground, and Pontypool easily won this facet of the game.Mills and O’Driscoll forced the Steelmen to turn and pick up the ball, whilst Ebbw’s kicks dropped in front of the Pooler defenders, making it easy for them to clear their line time after time.

Gareth Bowen opened the scoring for Vale with a penalty after four minutes, but two minutes later O’Driscoll levelled matters for Pooler. It took half-an-hour for the next score to arrive, and it was O’Driscoll with his second successful penalty that pushed Pontypool into a three point lead at the half-time whistle.

Seven minutes into the second half, O’Driscoll struck for the third time, putting over another penalty. Bowen then replied with his second for Ebbw Vale a few minutes later, to put the game in the balance. But in the sixty-fourth minute came that bit of Connor magic to conjure up an unconverted try. Ten minutes on and Vale saw Bowen put over his third penalty to bring Ebbw Vale within striking distance of a win.  

Time nor fate were on the side of the Steelmen as they were unable to create a platform in the last five minutes, and had to be content with a losing bonus point for their efforts, as Pooler just about deserved to take the spoils, if only as the only try scorers.

Full time: Pontypool 14 Ebbw Vale 9.

PRO

Sponsor your favourite player

For the first time Ebbw Vale RFC are offering the opportunity to sponsor your favourite player. Your name or Company name will appear in the Match Day Programme on Squad Page and on Match Team sheet if your player is selected. In addition there will be a PA announcement for team selection and if the player scores. Costs are from £100 per player. Please contact the club with your choice or for further details. You can check out which players are available on the squad page.