Ebbw Vale to host Newport in Super Rygbi Cymru final
The Steelmen produced a simply stunning second half comeback against Llandovery, overturning a 16-point half time deficit to run out eventual 29-28 victors.
Their reward is a home final against the Black and Ambers – who also came from behind in their semi at the Arms Park where they triumphed 35-20 over Cardiff.
Ebbw head coach Jason Strange said: 'It's going to be a real tough challenge but one that everyone is really excited about.
'It's at home and we'll have a massive crowd and it'll be a great occasion.'
Having lost out in Premiership league and cup semi-finals last year, including one at the hands of Llandovery, Ebbw were staring down the barrel of another as they trailed the Drovers 21-5 at the break.
SENSATIONAL: Ethan Phillips chips over the top on his way to a superb try to put Ebbw Vale into a lead they didn't let slip (Image: Ian WIlliams/Huw Evans Agency)
Already up against it, Ebbw also played for half of the first period with 14 men with right wing Ieuan Evans and then back-rower Jack Pope both spending 10 minutes in the sin bin.
Llandovery were 14-0 up after 12 minutes with centre Rhodri Jones and skipper Lee Rees scoring and converted by Ioan Hughes. Full-back Jac Davies brilliantly set up Rees' try and then scored one himself before the break as the visitors asserted their dominance.
But, in what was the proverbial game of two halves, the second half was all Ebbw.
Full-back Morgan Richards and centre Ethan Phillips both scored, adding to left wing Ryan Gardner's first half try, and were converted by Evan Lloyd, who also kicked a penalty, as Ebbw hit the front.
Phillips try' was the standout and came from a bit of individual brilliance. He kicked ahead, then got there before two Llandovery players, chipped the ball beyond them and took the ball on the bounce to go over.
Replacement hooker Ieuan Morris' try on 73 minutes, again converted by Lloyd, sealed the deal despite a yellow card for Gardner and a late Harri Doel try for Llandovery.
DELIGHT: Jason Strange's Ebbw Vale beat Llandovery in a cracker (Image: Ian WIlliams/Huw Evans Agency)
'It was a great day for everyone involved with the club,' said head coach Strange.
'To be 21-5 down at half time, with the circumstances we conceded, three yellow cards and to still beat a very good Llandovery team – we're delighted.
'At half time, we just spoke around all the problems which we conceded tries off were fixable. They were through our own errors, individual errors really, so we just had to go back to defending well and build a bit of pressure through our set piece and field position.
'What was pleasing from our point of view was even when we didn't have momentum, we didn't go away from our plan and we still tried to be disciplined and stick to what's worked for us all season – and it paid off in the end.'
This was Ebbw's 13th win from as many home games this season and their third win over Llandovery of the campaign, although the Drovers had won comfortably 39-7 when the sides had last met in the SRC Cup final at Church Bank in March.
Having overseen a transformation at Ebbw, both on and off the field, since returning to his hometown club in December 2021, Strange says it will be mission complete if they take the final step and win the Super Rygbi Cymru crown.
Under Strange's guidance, Ebbw have gone from strength to strength over the past three seasons; two semi-finals, a first cup final appearance since 1998 in this season's SRC Cup and are now just 80 minutes away from a first title triumph since their Premiership win nine years ago.
But standing in their way are Newport who, also celebrating their 150th anniversary season, will bid to mark it by going one better than last season when they suffered Premiership final heartache at Llandovery.
They had trailed Cardiff 17-11 at half time yesterday but roared back with three second half tries, including two within the space of three minutes just after the hour mark.
It was Newport's second win over their rivals in their own backyard of the season and their third win on the bounce at the Arms Park.
First half tries from Ethan Lloyd and Elijah Evans, along with two conversions and a penalty from Lloyd Lucas, gave the hosts a six-point advantage at the break.
Wing Iestyn Galton scored for Newport in the first half, with Jac Lloyd sending over two penalties.
Flanker Kyle Taylor scored again for Newport five minutes after the re-start, with Lloyd converting, to put Newport in front for the first time.
Lucas then kicked Cardiff ahead again briefly but by now it was Newport looking the more likely and pressure on the home defence was rewarded on 62 minutes when prop Tom Devine powered his way over. Lloyd converted.
Then two minutes later and after a Cardiff mix up from a line out, Newport stole back possession and, after the ball went through the hands, it was sent out to centre Jon Morris to score and all but secure Newport's spot in the final. Lloyd converted.
Cardiff were unable to find an answer in the closing stages and Lloyd sent over another penalty three minutes from time to put the cap on another memorable day in the capital.
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