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

Ebbw lose final Premiership game (April 20th)
After the brightest possible start that saw number 8 Andrew Llewellyn crash over and Gareth Bowen convert to give Ebbw a 7-0 lead, the first half was pretty much all Neath as they secured the bonus point with four converted tries and two penalties to go in 34-7 up at half time. Ebbw supporters feared a second half demolition, particularly with the introduction of Ospreys flyer Kristian Phillips but it was the Steelmen who exerted most of the pressure in the third quarter. Andrew Jenkins scored a try from a tap penalty, then, with Neath down to 14 after skipper Steve Tandy was sin-binned, the home pack won a penalty try as Neath repeatedly infringed at the scrum. Bowen converted both and it looked as if another Ebbw comeback was on the cards. Neath, though, are not champions for nothing and turned up the pace. Kristian Phillips and Jonathan Spratt scored tries and the season ended with another defeat for the Steelmen.

Ebbw team: Andrew Williams, Shaun Powell, Lloyd Phillips, Mathew Lewis, Andrew Bevan; Gareth Bowen, Andrew Jenkins (c); Aaron Coundley, Ben Parry, Nigel Hall; Nick Eaves, Jonathan Griffiths; Rhys Jenkins, Trystan Mabbutt, James Thomas. Subs: Mathew Jeffreys, Mathew Williams, Chris Jenkins, Andrew Llewellyn, Gareth James, Adam Davies, Neil Wilcox.

Ebbw outplay Pontypool to record vital win (April 10th)
Ebbw produced their best 80 minutes of the season to silence the Pontypool supporters who had turned up in party mood, ready to celebrate guaranteed Premiership survival. A tense and close first half saw Ebbw take a lead they were never to relinquish as Gareth Bowen scored a penalty, equalised by Geraint O' Driscoll, and Mathew Williams crossed for a try wide out on the right after patient approach work by the Steelmen. The conversion failed - although supporters of both sides were convinced it went between the posts. It was 8-6 at half time, as Pontypool's frequent threatening attacks were repelled by brave, organised defending and some slipshod handling. Bowen extended the lead with two penalties, O' Driscoll pulled one back but the best move of the game saw Andrew Williams put Andrew Bevan through for a try on the left wing to make it 19-9. As the game drew to a close, Poola were desperate for the penalty that would give them a vital bonus point and, when referee Tim Hayes obliged, the impressive O' Driscoll made no mistake. However, Eastern Valley celebrations were a little early as Mr. Hayes duly penalised Pontypool in their own half and Bowen struck another three to send Pontypool home empty-handed.
So, it's still not decided. Ebbw supporters will be hoping that Pontypool fail to gain anything from their remaining fixtures against Newport and Aberavon, and that Ebbw can somehow beat Glamorgan Wanderers and Neath and secure at least one winning bonus. That's all!

Andrew Williams, Shaun Powell, Lloyd Phillips, Mathew Lewis, Andrew Bevan; Gareth Bowen, Andrew Jenkins (c); Aaron Coundley, Mathew WIlliams, Marc Jones; Nick Eaves, Jonathan Griffiths; James Thomas, Rhys Jenkins, Rhys Williams.  Bench: Andrew Howells, Ben Parry, Trystan Mabbutt, Andrew Llewellyn, Gareth James, Adam Davies, Neil Wilcox.

Second half Ponty too strong for Ebbw (April 2010)
Gareth Bowen's second penalty meant that Ebbw went into the interval trailing 6-10. However, not for the first time this season, instead of the gap being closed by a determined second half show, it was opened up as the home side scored another three tries, the second when Rhys WIlliams was in the sin bin following an offence at a ruck. For Ponty, the five points lifted them into fourth place, but, for Ebbw, it meant that they still lie two points adrift of Pontypool who now have a game in hand.
The talk at Eugene Cross Park continues to be about the vital match with Pooler on April 10th, but that may depend on results between now and then.

Another bonus point for Ebbw (March 2010)
It was another case of "close, but not close enough" as Ebbw went down 16-13 to Newport at a wet and muddy Eugene Cross Park. Ebbw's defence, so much improved at Cross Keys on Sunday, was again excellent and, although Newport gained the lion's share of possession from the set pieces, their backs were unable to conjure up ways through the home lines. Ben Parry scored an excellent first half try for the Steelmen, which Gareth James converted superbly from wide out but Vale had to live off scraps as Newport regularly stole the lines out and pressurised the scrums. James scored the rest of his side's points with two penalties. The bonus point gives Ebbw a two point lead over Pontypool who have a game in hand. 
Ebbw's team was:- 

1 Aaron Coundley, 2 Ben Parry, 3 James Reeves, 4 Jon Griffiths, 5 Will Jones, 6 James Thomas, 7 Rhys Jenkins, 8 Rhys Williams, 9 Andrew Jenkins, 10 Gareth James, 11 Shaun Powell, 12 Matt Lewis, 13 Nick Wakely, 14 Adam Jones, 15 Andrew Williams.  

Bench: Mathew Richards, Gareth Bowen, Andrew Howells, Jonny Vaughan, Nick Eaves, Simon Pengelly, Tristan Mabbutt

Very close, but not close enough (March 2010)
One of Ebbw's best performances of the season was not quite good enough to take the points at Pandy Park on Sunday afternoon. The Steelmen's pack was excellent. Ben Parry hit his jumpers consistently in the lines out, allowing Will Jones and Jonathan Griffiths to supply quality ball to scrum half Andrew Jenkins. The scrum was also a revelation, with Aaron Coundley giving Key's Dragon, Nigel Hall, a torrid afternoon and tight head Jamie Reeves impressing on debut. Rhys Williams was his usual all-action self, ably assisted by Rhys Jenkins and Trystan Mabbutt and, later, the returning Simon Pengelly. 
Ebbw drew first blood when Gareth James punished a Cross Keys indiscretion with a sweetly struck penalty. Gareth David replied for Keys but James pushed Ebbw further ahead before hooker Parry ended an excellent move, in which Will Jones and Rhys Jenkins featured prominently. James converted and it was 13-6 at half time.
Keys took the upper hand, playing downhill towards the club house in the second half and David's boot pegged back the difference. It was 13-12 to Ebbw with the home side pressing when Ebbw broke out and won a penalty that James converted. Unfortunately, with just three minutes to go, the Keys pressure told and Ebbw's splendid defence finally cracked to concede a try.
But, at 16-17 in injury time, there was one final twist: at a ruck on their own 22, Keys' forwards and scrum half were shouting at the referee, asking if time was up. They took their eye off the ball, Ebbw's Jonathan Griffiths drove through and picked up to send Shaun Powell haring towards the posts in what soccer pundits would call an open goal. The referee decided, very late, that Griffiths had acted illegally and blew for a Keys' penalty which they kicked to touch, ending the game.

Ebbw rue missed kicks and indiscipline

In an exciting game of low quality, Carmarthen Quins emerged victors because they took their chances while Ebbw didn't. Had regular kicker Gareth Bowen not been subsitituted, perhaps the conversion and penalty in the last quarter might have gone over to seal a draw but it was not to be. Ebbw's makeshift pack - tighthead prop Alex Murphy played at number 8, with Mathew WIlliams, Rhys WIlliams, Simon Pengelly, James Thomas and Matthew Griffin injured - competed bravely in the loose but struggled occasionally at scrums.  Matthew Lewis scored a great individual try, showing skill and strength to cross near the posts, but that was a rare bit of three-quarter skill in a game dominated by defence with too much speculative kicking from both sides. For Carmarthen, try scorer Jason Harries and number 8 Sione Timani were the pick of the crop while Gareth Cull was as dependable as ever with the boot. Ebbw seemed to incur the wrath of referee Hugh Watkins who saw fit to send Tristan Mabbutt and Shaun Powell to the in for technical offences, but at least that was one card less than the previous week! The losing bonus gave a sense of some comfort, at least until the news from Pontypool filtered through.

Before the match, there was a minute's silence as a mark of respect to Michael Foot who died, aged 96, on Wednesday. Mr. Foot was Member of Parliament for Ebbw Vale and, later, Blaenau Gwent, from 1960 to 1992 and led the Labour Party in the early 1980s. He was a former Vice President of Ebbw Vale RFC.

Llandovery 36 Ebbw Vale 0

Although Llandovery were undoubedly the better side by some distance and well worth the win, the final scoreline was a little unfair on the Steelmen who tackled and defended really bravely. However, as is always the case, brave defence takes its toll and, as the Steelmen tired - and with the scrum in retreat following Marc Jones's second yellow card - the Drovers' backs took advantage and ran in three late tries.
Though stoic in defence, with Rhys Jenkins in the unaccustomed number 8 role absolutely outstanding, Ebbw rarely created chances. Their best attacking effort came in the final quarter, when Mathew Jeffreys was hauled down just short of the line, unable to get the scoring pass away to Nathan Jones.
In a game that was occasionally niggly, there were red cards for Marc Jones and Llandovery's replacement scrum half Gareth James and a yellow for Ebbw captain Andrew Jenkins. 

Major news (1): statement from Club President, Mark Powell
"I know there has been considerable disquiet amongst the supporters about the lack of information that has been coming out of the Club in the last couple of months.  That disquiet is rivalled almost by the disquiet that we who have been running the Club have felt... (more)

Major news (2): coaching, playing and injury updates
Firstly it is with great pleasure that we can officially welcome Rowland Phillips as Head Coach of Ebbw Vale RFC... (more)

Ebbw record vital win
The Steelmen came up with a well earned and very important win over Bedwas at Eugene Cross Park on Sunday afternoon. A try from the outstanding Rhys Williams and four Gareth James penalties gave the home side a 17-0 half time lead and two more James penalties took Ebbw to a 23-6 final score, earning just their third league win of the season.

Cardiff programme available
Collectors might be interested to know that the match programme from the recently postponed Principality Premiership game between Cardiff and Ebbw Vale is available to buy online via the Cardiff RFC website. Thanks to Ian Tabor at Cardiff RFC for getting in touch.

Ebbw Vale 14 Swansea 7

After some disappointing first few months of the season, the Steelmen produced a solid performance that will put some heart back into the club.

In the swirling wind and rain, Ebbw Vale settled down to outplay the visitors in the tackle area and the lines-out to give them the possession required to make inroads into the Swansea defence. As a result, the All Whites could not put together more than a couple of phases of play.

On the back of Ebbw Vale solid defence, led by centres Lewis and Powell, Swansea were either going backwards or were very static. Scrum half Andrew Jenkins had his best game for the club to date, harrying his opposite number Rhodri Wells into numerous errors, resulting in turnover ball.

The Steelmen used the possession well, fly-half Andrew Williams kicking with authority to control the game and putting Vale into the Swansea half. Jon Griffiths and James Thomas controlled the lines-out, taking six against the throw to deny Swansea decent possession.

Ebbw Vale took a six point lead in the first quarter, fullback Nick Wakley converting the two penalty efforts that came his way. However, in the 37^th minute, Swansea No8 Steffan Jones picked up a bouncing ball and raced down the touchline to score, the try magnificently converted by James Dixon, although it was a close call as one linesman gave it, and the other kept his flag down.

Ebbw had some luck on the stroke of halftime as James Dixon missed a penalty from a good position and Swansea went in one point to the good at the break.

Half Time: Ebbw Vale 6 Swansea 7

Ebbw Vale put down a marker straight from the off in the second half. It took only three minutes for the Vale to work wing Olli Halford into space for an unconverted try, and six minutes later Nick Wakley put over his third penalty to complete the scoring.

From there-on in, Vale kept Swansea pinned in their own half, only managing to escape on three occasions. Ebbw had a chance to increase the lead, but Wakley’s penalty attempt was deemed to have slid over the top of the right hand upright.

Swansea ’s scrum became stronger as the game wore on but they still could not break Ebbw Vale’s overall dominance. Some great individual performances from the Ebbw team: Wakley at full back was at his best, second row Jon Griffiths outstanding with the help of Mathew Williams, whilst the contribution of Pengelly, Llewellyn, Thomas and Jenkins in the back row was critical. But this was a team effort to be proud of.

Full time: Ebbw Vale 14 Swansea 7 points 

PRO

So close and yet...

That second victory just won't come for Ebbw Vale, but this was a much better performance and the Steelmen could have pinched the win over Llandovery who came into the match on a glorious run, having scored 17 tries and over 120 points in their previous wins over Pontypool and Aberavon. It was easy to see the threat they posed behind with wings Ifan Evans and Lee Rees real threats and centre Joe Ajuwa looking a class above this league. However, backs can't play without good ball and Ebbw faced up to the Drovers pack, out-scrummaging them frequently and hitting rucks and mauls with serious intent. 
Ebbw led 16 - 10 at half time through a Shaun Powell try converted by Gareth Bowen who added three beautifully struck penalties. Ajuwa crossed for Llandovery after a powerful 60 metre run. The second half was tight, but the Drovers scored two more tries, while Bowen kept Ebbw's score ticking over with a couple more penalties. 
The final score was 24-22 to the visitors, Ebbw earning a losing bonus that was well deserved after a gritty effort.

Ebbw Vale 12 Cross Keys 36

Ebbw Vale are making a habit of letting things slip away from them this season during the last quarter of the game. This was, sadly, the same story again against an average team. Vale leaked 24 points in the last twenty minutes, and to the supporters’ dismay, fourteen of those came after Keys open side flanker Rhys Peebles had been yellow carded in the 71^st minute.

Up until the hour mark, the protagonists had traded penalties through the boots of Gareth Bowen and Gareth David, ironically both Bridgend players last season. Vale had a six point early lead courtesy of Bowen, slotting two penalties in the seventh and 32^nd minutes. But Gareth David struck back for the visitors as Ebbw Vale gave away two silly penalties in the five minutes before half time.

Ebbw Vale generally controlled the first half, and should have converted a couple of try opportunities to give themselves a reasonable lead as Matthew Lewis caused the Keys defence some headaches with help from Simon Pengelly.

Gary Wilkes came within five metres of the try line but was hauled down by the defence, and Vale also gave away some penalties to help cross Keys relieve the pressure on their defence.

Half Time: Ebbw Vale 6 Cross Keys 6.

The first twenty minutes after the restart was a repeat of the fist half, with Bowen and David trading penalties. David struck first to give Keys a slender lead, but then Bowen gave Ebbw Vale a three point lead with two well struck penalties. David equalled the scores with a penalty as Vale’s Matthew Lewis was harshly yellow carded by referee Colin Kirkhouse. During the ten minutes enforced absence, Keys rattled up thirteen unanswered points to take the game away from the Steelmen.

On the hour, David restored the lead for the visitors with his fifth penalty, an advantage they were not to lose for the rest of the game. Three minutes later, Nathan Trowbridge struck gold as he raced over for a converted try, prop Cornock giving him the offload.  

As Keys flanker Rob Nash cooled his heels in the sin bin for the last ten minutes of the match, Vale might have thought there was a way back into the frame. But Cross Keys were now in full-flight with Ben Watkins leading the charge. Marcus Johnstone broke Ebbw hearts as raced fully 75 metres after the Keys had been allowed some poetic licence at a ruck deep in their own territory following a great run by Vale fullback Ed Lewis Pratt, and finally Ben Watkins broke away from mid-field to give the supporting Jevon Groves the scoring pass. Both tries were converted, the first by David and the second by Leon Andrews.

Full Time: Ebbw Vale 12 Cross Keys 36.

Aberavon 46 Ebbw Vale 7

Another poor away day for the Steelmen as they plummeted to defeat at the Talbot Athletic Ground. Beset by a glut of serious injuries, Ebbw Vale had been forced to look elsewhere for quality players to complete the squad, as the game these days require 22 fit players of equal calibre. Games are often won or lost on the quality of the bench. Ed Lewis Pratt and James Lewis have been signed on short-term deals from London Welsh and Coventry respectively to plug the gaps in the squad, but neither could stem the Aberavon flood on Saturday afternoon.

Ebbw Vale started in bright fashion as excellent defence in the opening five minutes forced Aberavon to rush passes, and James Lewis benefited by intercepting a mid-field pass and race sixty metres to the try-line, Gareth Bowen converting.  

The frailties in the Ebbw camp came to light immediately on the restart as the visitors failed to gather the ball, Aberavon making full use of their luck to set Jonny Vaughton free down the right to score wide out, Matthew Jarvis converting to level the scores within a minute.

Jarvis kicked his second penalty on twelve minutes to give Aberavon the lead. In the second quarter of the game, the home side increased their lead through tries by Rory Saunders and Ashley Beck, the first converted by Jarvis.

Ebbw Vale did not help themselves with some poor lineout work and a creaking scrum, thus gifting Aberavon free ball to charge at the Vale defenders and thus sap their energy.

Half Time: Aberavon 22 Ebbw Vale 7

Matthew Jarvis took only ten minutes to add to his first half tally when he put over his second successful penalty as Ebbw Vale began to give away a glut of penalties.

Although well beaten by the hour mark, Ebbw again allowed the score to skew away from them by leaking three converted tries in the last ten minutes. The next score came in the 71st minute, Rory Gallagher crossing and Jarvis converting. Aberavon were now looking for their bonus point try, and it came in the 74th minute as Ian Poley went over, Jarvis again successful with the conversion.  

Vale’s role was now purely defensive, but tackle as they might, they could not keep the Wizards out, as referee Wayne Davies awarded them a penalty try right at the death, Jarvis converting with the last kick of the match.  

Full Time: Aberavon 46 Ebbw Vale 7

Ebbw Vale 25 v Llanelli 19  

A huge cheer greeted this long awaited win at Eugene Cross Park for Ebbw Vale. The match was decided in the final minute, both sets of supporters having been kept on the edge of their seats as a full-on kicking duel developed between Ebbw’s Gareth Bowen and Llanelli’s Luke Richards. Richards has been a thorn in the Ebbw Vale side for many a year for the various teams with which he has appeared, often kicking Vale to despair with his accuracy and game control, but this time he was outdone by the home team’s kicker par excellence, Gareth Bowen.

The lead changed hands nine times, mainly due to the whistle of match referee Gwyn Morris, who awarded twenty-seven full penalties mostly for offences in the contact and ruck area. Ebbw Vale, and Gareth Bowen, benefited as they were awarded eighteen of those penalties.  

Stop-start though the game turned out to be, the crowd was entertained by the goal-kicking battle. Bowen got the Steelmen off to a cracking start, slotting over penalties in the 3rd and 8th minutes to give Vale a steady start. Richards pulled one back for the visitors after sixteen minutes, but Bowen got in the act again in the 32nd minute, putting over his third penalty to keep Vale’s six point advantage.  

The kicking battle was disturbed on the half-hour as Llanelli No 8 Ben Morgan crashed over for Llanelli’s only try, Richards converting to give the visitors a one point lead. But three minutes later Bowen put over his fourth penalty to put Ebbw back in front by two points. 

Half Time: Ebbw Vale 12 Llanelli 10  

The penalty count and the kicking duel continued in the second half, the lead changing hands five times as Bowen and Richards kept slotting their penalty chances at regular intervals.  

Llanelli’s tighthead prop Aled Hopkins was yellow-carded in the 62nd minute, Bowen slotted the penalty to give the lead back to Ebbw. But with a man off the paddock, Llanelli upped the pace, and the Steelmen had to defend vigorously to keep the visitors out, but conceded another penalty and the lead to Richards’s accurate boot.

Ebbw Vale repelled the ten minutes of pressure and worked their way upfield, gaining a foothold in the Llanelli half. Some hard graft by the forwards and neat handling by the threequarters allowed Bowen to move left, creating space for full-back Andrew Williams to take an inside pass at pace, side step the one defender in his way and score under the posts, Bowen converting this last gasp try to give Vale a well-deserved victory.

Bowen contributed 20 points to the Vale cause and controlled possession well. But the platform to do this was created by the forwards, especially Simon Pengelly, Rhys Williams and Rhys Jenkins who were tremendous in the contact area. Centres Matthew Lewis and Shaun Powell also contributed hugely both in carrying the ball and in defence.  

Final Score: Ebbw Vale 25 Llanelli 19

Neath 41 Ebbw Vale 7

Ebbw Vale were on the receiving end of two scoring flourishes from the Welsh All Blacks, leaking three tries in the second quarter of the match and a further three in the final quarter.

Vale did rally somewhat immediately after half time, and this coincided with the appearance of the still not yet fully fit Simon Pengelly. He put Ebbw on the front foot for the third quarter with his all-action display. Unfortunately, the Steelmen could not keep up this pressure, and folded under the Neath onslaught in the final twenty minutes.

It took Neath fifteen minutes to register their first score, a penalty by outside half Gareth McCarthy after they had squandered two gilt-edged try scoring chances. They then registered three tries in the 20^th, 25^th and 34^th minute through flanker Craig Price, centre Gareth King and hooker Andrew Littlehales, the first two  converted by Gareth McCarthy.

Ebbw did little to help themselves at this stage, with some woeful tackling, inept kicking out of defence, and a handful of schoolboy handling errors. The visitors even  spurned the chance of a couple of kicks at goal that may well have pegged back the score somewhat.

Half Time: Neath 22 Ebbw Vale 0

Ebbw Vale did tighten things up in the third quarter, having made a raft of changes during the interval. Pengelly entered the fray, along with Matthew Amos, Andrew Jenkins and Craig Ackland. Nathan Jones found himself at full back, and gave a good account of himself in this unfamiliar role, showing how to counter-attack and tackle correctly.

Wing Andrew Bevan showed his experience by taking a quick penalty, catching the Neath defence asleep, pulling a try back for Ebbw in the 43^rd. minute. Try as they might, Ebbw Vale found the Neath defence too good for them for the next fifteen minutes, and failed to add to their total.

Then came the decisive last quarter, Neath’s Kristian Phillips crossing for two tries and Kevin James scoring one. Gareth McCarthy converted two to take the final score to Neath 41 Ebbw Vale 7.

For the visitors, a few rays of sunshine were the performances of Nick Eaves and replacement Simon Pengelly, whilst Nathan Jones and Andrew Bevan were full of commitment behind. But it was not enough to even ruffle the feathers of a well organised Neath outfit.

Ebbw Vale 3 Pontypridd 28

Pontypridd finished this match with a flourish, scoring three tries in the final quarter. This allowed them to collect a bonus point on top of the winning league points.

The match was in stalemate at the interval, both teams recording a penalty apiece. Pontypridd went ahead after ten minutes with an Aaron Bramwell effort, to which Gareth Bowen replied for Vale two minutes later. The first quarter had belonged to Ebbw Vale, but Pontypridd showed their potential in the second quarter as Aaron Bramwell found some space, but was held up over the line.

Ebbw Vale absorbed all the pressure exerted by Pontypridd who came away from the Ebbw line with nothing and almost paid the price as the home side came close in the minutes immediately before half-time.

Half Time: Ebbw Vale 3 Pontypridd 3.

Pontypridd took control for all the second half, Ebbw Vale forced to continue their defensive duties. The turning point for Vale may well have been the departure after fifty minutes, of Vale openside flanker Simon Pengelly, who had been having an outstanding game.

Referee David Williams saw fit to send two players to the sin bin within five minutes of each other, both for handling in the ruck. Ponty’s Rhys Lloyd departed on 44 minutes, followed by Vale’s Andrew Jenkins on the 49 minute mark.

Pontypridd profited from Jenkins’s absence to the tune of eight unanswered points. Bramwell pushed the visitors three points ahead with a penalty in the forty-ninth minute. Then Pontypridd winger Lewis Williams found himself in acres of space in the 52^tnd minute to run in an unconverted score from fifty metres, increasing the lead to 3 – 11.

As soon as the game entered the final quarter, so the floodgates opened. Pontypridd asserted constant pressure, and ran in the three further tries needed for the bonus point.

Dafydd Lockyer (64m), Rhys Downes (69m) and finally Kristian Dacey(80m) ran in the tries, Bramwell succeeding with one conversion.

Pontypridd were full value for their win as the Vale succumbed after the hour mark. Andrew Bevan, Nick Wakley and Mattew Edwards showed flashes for Ebbw Vale but the coaches and players will be bitterly disappointed with that capitulation. However, credit must go to Pontypridd for the sustained pressure during the second half.

Roy Lewis becomes Life Member
The most popular proposal at Friday's AGM was to invite Roy "REL" Lewis to join the small, illustrious band of Life Members. In making the invitation, Club President Mark Powell QC paid tribute to Roy's years of sterling service, notably his contributions to match programmes as "club scribe" since 1977 but also as fixtures secretary, committee member and a very active Vice President.
"He is urbane and witty and his programme writing is of a standard that can only be dreamed of  by other clubs - and regions," Mark said. 
Roy's work has, of late, reached a much wider audience as he has become a regular contributor to this website. Website manager Rob Smith said, "Roy has has surely written more about the club than anyone else and now, in his 80s, he has adopted information technology and is producing weekly articles for the website that are more intelligent, insightful and humorous than anything else being written about Welsh rugby. Roy's page is the most popular on the website."
Typically modest and wickedly amusing, Roy accepted the honour after first checking that he didn't have to buy everyone at the AGM a drink. "I can think of a great many others who, in my opinion, deserve this more than I do," he said. Perhaps, in that alone, he found himself in a minority of one.

In other AGM news, Andrew Phillips and Paul Morgan were unanimously elected as Members' Association Directors to serve on the Board of Ebbw Vale RFC. They were welcomed by fellow directors Alan Evans and Ruth Pratten, who said that the injection of new blood was always very welcome and that they looked forward to being able to "share the load" with the new directors. Ruth also paid tribute to the fantastic work done, completely voluntarily, by Jonathan Jones and Steve Young in securing local sponsorship at an unprecedented level. She said, "There are now 50 advertising boards around the ground and they are all local businesses showing support for their local rugby club."

Newport 22 Ebbw Vale 13

The Steelmen will be aggrieved at coming away from this fixture with nothing. After a hard-fought 79 minutes, the match was closed down by Newport with the final kick of the match, as Shaun Connor took the game out of Ebbw’s reach with a penalty.

Earlier in the game, both sides had their chances to put the game away, but opportunities were missed and we had to go to the final seconds for the decisive score.  

The Ebbw coaching staff had cause to be upset in the week leading up to this fixture, as the Academy had granted Rhys Jenkins, Ebbw Vale’s only fit openside flanker, a week’s holiday; whilst on Friday afternoon, the Dragons took another Vale backrow player, James Thomas, to Ireland as the 23rd man. However, the Steelmen must blame themselves for the defeat as indiscipline, punished by two yellow cards, and wayward lineout work saw them lose very favourable field positions.  

The visitors found themselves 6 – 3 up at half-time. Connor had given Newport a 3 – 0 lead with a successful penalty after 16 minutes. Vale then suffered their first yellow card, but pulled back three points from a Nick Wakley penalty. Ebbw Vale had Newport on the back foot with a series of drives and forceful threequarter play. Both Shaun Powell and Rhys Williams were only inches short, but the effort yielded nothing.

Ebbw doubled their score in the fortieth minute as outside half Andrew Williams struck a well judged 45 metre drop goal to give them a deserved lead at half time.

Half time: Newport 3 Ebbw Vale 6  

At the restart, a penalty attempt by Wakley sailed wide, but Connor brought Newport level with his second penalty. Within six minutes he struck again, converting a further penalty to take Newport in front. Ebbw Vale replied strongly, Nick Wakley finally breaking through a stubborn defence to score an individual try, which he duly converted to give Vale a 9 – 13 lead.  

On the hour, a series of drives by Newport resulted in prop Luke Hunter scoring an unconverted try as the lead went back to Newport .Then came the crucial moment as Steelmen scrum half Andrew Jenkins was sin-binned for punching. It took Newport only three minutes to register a score as Alex Jones finished off a counter attack from deep by full back Alan Awcock, giving the Black & Ambers a six point lead.  

But Ebbw still had hold of a losing bonus point, only to see it slip from their grasp at the death by Connor’s last gasp penalty.

Final Score: Newport 22 Ebbw Vale 13.

Ebbw Vale 3 Cardiff 30

Cardiff blasted out of the blocks at the start of this game, notching up thirteen un-answered points in the opening quarter. Vale came second best in the contact area and the loose, conceding vital ball to their opponents.The Steelmen gave away two kickable penalties during the first five minutes, which Cardiff outside-half Gareth Davies converted with ease. Match official Leighton Hodges penalised Ebbw Vale heavily throughout the game, tighthead prop Marc Jones coming in for some special treatment.  

Cardiff managed three tries before half time, and a caning looked on the cards. Ebbw Vale fudged three lineout throws during this second quarter. Twice that resulted in such good turn-over ball for the visitors that both Cardiff wingers, Ryan Howells (19 mins) and Matthew John (37mins) scored a try apiece, Gareth Davies converting both. The only Ebbw Vale reply after the first try was a solitary penalty kicked by half-back Gareth Bowen. Five minutes later Ryan Howells roared back to score both his, and Cardiff ’s, second try of the afternoon. Gareth Davies yet again converting.

The Steelmen then replied with their only vigorous ten minutes of the match. Some powerful forward play took Cardiff by surprise and it took excellent defensive work to keep Ebbw Vale out. Only a knock on in the act of scoring saved Cardiff at this stage.  

Half Time: Ebbw Vale 3 Cardiff 27

The second half turned into a damage limitation exercise for the home team, as Cardiff looked for a try bonus point. Fortunately, Vale had regrouped, and the introduction of substitutes Mathew Williams, Dan Way and Nick Eaves shored up the home effort.Bowen had a chance to score an opening Ebbw try. After a blistering break from his own half, Bowen was hunted down by the covering defence almost on the try line, Vale failing to get sufficient numbers to the breakdown to win good enough ball to finish off the move.

The only score of a hard fought second half was again from the sure boot of Cardiff ’s Gareth Davies, converting one of the many penalties awarded against the home team. Cardiff did have two clear cut chances to gain a bonus point, but the Ebbw Vale defence tracked down the pacey visitor’s wingers. The game ended with passive scrums as Vale props Marc Jones and Mathew Jeffries were forced to leave the field with injuries.

Further woe for Ebbw came as fullback Gareth James sustained a nasty leg injury and was taken to Nevill Hall Hospital , Vale finishing the game from this point on with fourteen men as all the replacements had been used.

Final Score: Ebbw Vale 3 Cardiff 30

Ebbw Vale RFC Announce Support for 2010 Eisteddfod

Ebbw Vale Rugby Club has given practical assistance to the promotion of the 2010 Eisteddfod in the town by carrying the logo on the back of the team’s shirt for the 2009/10 season. Club Director Alan Evans commented “It is a privilege for our town to welcome the Eisteddfod and as a community ethos is a key element of Ebbw Vale RFC, we delighted to assist in promoting the event which will bring economic benefit and positive publicity.   This is an example of two great cornerstones of Welsh Culture working together in Rugby and The Eisteddfod”

Elfed Roberts, National Eisteddfod Chief Executive, is delighted with the support of Ebbw Vale Rugby Club, and said:

“We are grateful to Ebbw Vale Rugby Club for including our logo on their shirts for the next season.  It’s a great way to remind people that the Eisteddfod will be held in the town next year.  Sports and culture are intertwined here in Wales , and the inclusion of the Eisteddfod logo on the shirts is a perfect example of how important both aspects of our lives are in the Blaenau Gwent area.

“We are very much looking forward to next year’s event in Ebbw Vale, and are confident that the support of the local community will make it an Eisteddfod to remember.  We will also be following the success of Ebbw Vale Rugby Club avidly over the coming months and wish the team – and their shirts – all the best throughout the season!” he added.

The National Eisteddfod attracts around 160,000 visitors every year, and is a travelling festival which alternates between north and south Wales .  Entry to all Eisteddfod activities is free of charge for the price of a daily Maes ticket.   

The Eisteddfod receives a grant from the Welsh Assembly Government through the Welsh Language Board, and also receives funding from unitary authorities in Wales through its partnership with the Welsh Local Government Association.  The Blaenau Gwent and Heads of the Valleys Eisteddfod is held at The Works, Ebbw Vale, from 31 July until 7 August 2010.

Ebbw squander big lead at Ely

The Ebbw Vale coaches must be wondering how their team became derailed after such a positive first half. Ebbw stormed into a 17 point lead without reply within the opening eleven minutes.

Gareth Bowen was successful with a straightforward penalty after five minutes. This was followed by the Steelmen using the width of the park to free full back Gareth James who chipped over the defender to score a try converted by Gareth Bowen. Bowen was controlling the game superbly, his forwards giving him and his half-back partner Andrew Jenkins plenty of clean, quick ball.  

Bowen showed his class as a runner when he beat his man and sped away to outflank the cover defence to score to the left of the posts, and converted his own try. Ebbw Vale continued to outplay the Wanderers upfront, with Rhys Williams proving a thorn in the side of the home team, supported by the returning Rhys Jenkins. But it took the Steelmen fifteen minutes before they could add to the score. Again it was the reliable boot of outside half Bowen that provided the points through two excellent penalties.  

Vale missed a glorious opportunity to add to their try tally when Bowen again split the defence, but there was no-one on his shoulder to take the final pass.

Half Time: Glam Wands 0 Ebbw Vale 23.

It was Ebbw Vale’s turn to face the strong wind, and defended strongly for the opening fifteen minutes, keeping the Wanderers at bay. But after 57 minutes, Wanderers’ Ryan Healey kicked ahead and won the race for the touchdown, Scott Sneddon adding the extras.Yet the Steelmen advantage still looked good enough until Wanderers produced their secret weapon in the form of super-sub Dan Fish. This nineteen year old had gas to burn, and twice left the Vale defence standing whilst running out of defensive positions.The first run ended in him scoring a try, the second saw him give a scoring pass to Nathan Trowbridge. Both tries were converted by Scott Sneddon, leaving Vale with a one point lead with nine minutes left on the clock.

In an exciting final quarter, the visitors had three opportunities to stretch the lead. An attacking lineout for the Steelmen five metres out was safely gathered and the drive was on, but the Wanderers somehow managed to pinch the ball, this resulting in that length of the field try for Fish.Rhys Jenkins and Will Jones were also unlucky as with a powerful burst down the left was thwarted by Wanderers minoring the ball. Young prop Mathew Jeffries was also thwarted as he was brought down a metre or two short after hard driving by his co-forwards.  

With five minutes left, the game was played out on the halfway line, but the final nails in the Steelmen coffin came when Scott Sneddon, using the strong wind, converted two magnificent fifty metre penalties to give the home team the spoils.  

Full Time: Glamorgan Wanderers 27 Ebbw Vale 23 points.

Bonymaen 3 Ebbw Vale 10

After a scoreless second half that they totally dominated, Ebbw emerged as 10 - 3 winners at Parc Mawr on Saturday afternoon.

Bonymaen scored first, converting one of many penalties conceded by the visitors at the tackle and ruck and the home pack gave the Ebbw forwards a serious workout, getting the upper hand in the scrum. However, Ebbw dominated possession and territory and it was amazing that only two tries - through Matthew Edwards and Andrew Williams - ensued. A combination of a slippery ball, dodgy handling, wrong options and dogged - sometimes illegal - defending by the Swansea side, conspired to prevent further scoring. 

Ebbw lost prop Marc Jones, wing Matthew Edwards and outside half Gareth Bowen with a variety of leg inuries.

Next Saturday's match at Worcester will offer a much more searching test of the Steelmen's credentials.