Latest news with #Ebbw
South Wales Argus
18-05-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Newport win Super Rygbi Cymru after beating Ebbw Vale 27-18
The Black and Ambers became the first team to beat the Steelmen at Eugene Cross Park in 2024/25 to win the title for the first time since 2004. Tries by scrum-half Dafydd Buckland, impressive fly-half Jac Lloyd and full-back Carwyn Penny earned the spoils, and they were good value for it against a resilient, proud and determined Ebbw who kept fighting until the final whistle. It was a fitting end to their anniversary year with the added sentiment of paying tribute to Brian Jones, 'Mr Newport', who died last month. Added to the script, Black and Ambers hall of famers Elliot Frewen and Rhys Jenkins pulled on the famous jersey for the last time in this final. It was Newport's day after they suffered Premiership final anguish 12 months earlier and Ebbw Vale will hope to follow their lead in 2026. The Steelmen will be hurting after coming up short in a terrific campaign that featured 13 wins on home soil. Newport's title triumph was a long time in the making and featured two near misses, so Jason Strange will urge Ebbw to just keep on building. PACKED: The crowd at Eugene Cross Park (Image: Gareth Everett) Both sides made a nervy start with Ebbw keen to make the most of the wind at their backs – at least it was initially on a sunny but blustery afternoon – as they attacked the clubhouse end. The Steelmen were carrying hard and got reward for their early pressure when Evan Lloyd knocked over a penalty in the ninth minute. The hosts tried to extend their lead through their trusty lineout drive but Newport held firm and forced an error from the resulting carries. They got the reward for that when Jac Lloyd levelled from the tee in the 20th minute and the visitors then built up a head of steam. Newport had lost flanker Kyle Tayler to an early injury and then Ebbw saw captain and hooker Joe Franchi limp off, a blow that was swiftly followed by the opening try in the 29th minute. The Black and Ambers did a quick 'one-two' at the front of a lineout in the 22, hammered away and then scrum-half Dafydd Buckland spotted a gap and dotted down. Lloyd converted but then, after a rapid attack from a quick tap, failed to judge the wind with a penalty and it remained 10-3 as half-time approached. CHARGE: Ethan Phillips carries hard for Ebbw Vale against Newport (Image: Gareth Everett) Ebbw's Lloyd got a long but central effort spot-on to make it 10-6 but Newport got a huge score with the final play of the half. They worked space down the left and David Richards, with two strong carries, got them within inches. Arguably they made hard work of it – and Ebbw must've been close to winning a penalty after trying to get over the ball – but eventually the fleet-footed Lloyd danced over and converted himself for a 17-6 lead. Ebbw had turned around a 21-5 deficit against Llandovery in the semis and a huge line break by Ryan Jenkins got them hunting a response five minutes after the restart only for the attack to be ended by a knock on in the 22. No bother, an almighty scrum earned them another crack and scrum-half Gruff Tough's cross-kick was gathered by Ewan Bowden for a try down the left that made it 17-11, with Evan Lloyd failing with the touchline conversion. However, the Newport response was immediate with full-back Carwyn Penny gathering a boomed clearance, chipping over the top and then benefiting from a nasty bounce and hesitation to gather, just about stay up and dive over down the right. Jac Lloyd's conversion was a peach and the visitors had stretched their lead to 24-11 with half an hour to go. Yet back came Ebbw courtesy of a nightmare moment for wing Iestyn Galton, who tried to force an offload after being too casual in his 22. The loose ball was snaffled by the hosts and lock Curtis Gregory went over from close range, Evan Lloyd making it a seven-pointer. It was manic stuff and Newport were able to stretch a score clear on the hour through the boot of Jac Lloyd, 27-18 their lead. The Black and Ambers thought they had their clincher when a hack ahead led to Jac Lloyd flicking the ball to Galton, who went under the sticks. However, TMO footage – in play for the final – showed it had gone forward. That was followed by shanked, ambitious long penalty effort by the Newport fly-half as it remained nip and tuck. The clock was not Ebbw's friend and the Black and Ambers knew the importance of good discipline to keep the home side out of their 22 as the game entered the final 10 minutes. However, a scrum penalty and then an offside led to the Steelmen having a shot at a five-metre lineout with 73 gone. That led to influential lock Josh Skinner seeing yellow after the first attempt was illegally stopped, then ref Ben Breakspear gave another penalty that was sent to the corner. Newport held up Ebbw over the line and dissent led to a penalty rather than a drop out. The Steelmen kept coming but this, finally, was to be a black and amber afternoon. Ebbw scorers: tries – Bowden, Gregory; conversion – E Lloyd; penalties – E Lloyd (2). Newport scorers: tries – Buckland, J Lloyd, Penny; conversions – J Lloyd (3); penalties – J Lloyd (2). Referee: Ben Breakspear (WRU).
South Wales Argus
17-05-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Franchi and Roach eye SRC final glory with Ebbw and Newport
Ebbw Vale and Newport battle for the title at Eugene Cross Park tomorrow (kick-off 2.30pm) and it's fair to assume the skippers will have a big say in which Gwent club will be celebrating long into the night. Hooker Franchi has already won the big prize once after being a member of the 2016 Premiership-winning squad and has been a major figure in the Steelmen's successful campaign. The front rower will finish as the league's top try scorer after crossing 20 times in the league (plus five more times in the SRC Cup). The 31-year-old made his first Ebbw outing as an 18-year-old and hit 200 appearances for the club in March. His experience was important when the Steelmen went 21-5 down on the stroke of half-time in their home semi-final against Llandovery. KEEPING COOL: Ebbw's Joe Franchi during the win against Llandovery (Image: Ian WIlliams/Huw Evans Agency) 'We were behind the posts and I said to the boys that we were comfy in phase play,' said Franchi, a key figure along with his twin, centre Dom. 'We weren't concerned because it wasn't like we were leaking badly. We knew that we could stick in there, get our set piece going and cause them problems, which happened.' Ebbw, who ran out 29-28 winners, have built that confidence thanks to a perfect season so far on home soil. That 13-game record helped them to finish second in the league with the prospect of a home final if top seeds Cardiff were beaten by Newport. A few of the Ebbw squad went to the Arms Park to watch and provide updates for their teammates, ultimately delivering the news that they would be playing for the title at Eugene Cross Park. 'The big games come down to small margins,' said Franchi. 'Playing at home can make a massive difference because the one per centers add up. 'We really pushed to finish in the top two from the start of the season and we achieved that, which has earned us this chance. 'The excitement has been building as the week has progressed but we can't afford to play the occasion. 'We want to stick to our regular game plan and keep to the same processes, because that has worked all season with us being unbeaten at home. 'We know that this will be an 80-minute game because Newport are a good side who can play tight, 10-man rugby or spin it wide. I am sure they will have some trick plays and we need to be ready for anything.' One thing is for certain, Roach will be in the thick of it for the Black and Ambers after a second season on the spin as an ever-present. The number eight has played in 25 games – all starts apart from one outing off the bench at Swansea in the SRC Cup – and also featured in friendly fixtures to celebrate the club's 150th anniversary season. The Wales Sevens international is crucial to Newport's adaptability, able to mix it physically but also thrive out wide, and hopes to avoid a repeat of last year's narrow defeat at Llandovery when the last Premiership title was on the line. WINNER: Ben Roach after Newport's semi-final win against Ebbw Vale last season (Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency) 'To get to back-to-back finals is quite special but obviously we want to go one step further and win it,' said Roach. 'The experience from big games helps with the pressure but Ebbw Vale also been there with the cup final this season. 'We've prepped well and are on the back of a few good weeks, so we head there with momentum for one last big game. 'This is what you play the game for, you want to be fighting at the top and now we want to get over the line. 'It's the 150th anniversary and it would be nice to top that off with another bit of history by winning the first SRC while we also had the loss of 'BJ' [the legendary 'Mr Newport' Brian Jones], so there is a lot of emotion.' Whichever inspirational captain gets to lift the trophy will deserve the honour.
South Wales Argus
15-05-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
SRC: Newport hitting top form for Ebbw Vale final
The Steelmen will start as slight favourites for Sunday's showdown (kick-off 2.30pm) courtesy of home advantage, but there was little to choose between the sides that finished in the top four of the table. Ebbw edged out Llandovery in the first semi-final and then the Black and Ambers stunned top seeds Cardiff at the Arms Park. READ MORE: Strange hunting first major title with Ebbw It means that Morris & Co have a shot at going one better than last year when edged out by the Drovers in a top-quality Premiership final at Church Bank. Arguably Newport haven't hit the heights of 2023/24 this season… but they have challenged that assessment with performances in the run-in. They have won seven games since defeat at Ebbw in the SRC Cup and are averaging 36 points per game. A winning streak was brought to a crashing end by Llandovery a year ago but Newport hope that they have built towards one last huge effort. BOSS: Newport head coach Ty Morris (Image: Kian Abdullah/Huw Evans Agency) 'The whole season is planned so that we are performing at our best at the right time,' said head coach Morris, who is determined to add a league title to the Premiership Cup won at Principality Stadium in 2022. 'We want to be firing on all cylinders and I think we have that right this year because we are seven games undefeated, we are scoring some great tries and playing some excellent rugby. 'There are a number of players who are playing their best rugby of the season and that is down to the planning. 'We have made sure the squad is rotated, everybody has had a chance to compete for a start and eventually the cream rises to the top for this final.' Ebbw's excellent campaign means they head into Sunday's derby with a perfect Eugene Cross Park record of played 13, won 13. Two of those successes were against Newport but Morris, like opposite number Jason Strange, doesn't read too much into past games. DOUBLE: Ebbw Vale beat Newport at Eugene Cross Park in the SRC Cup and the regular season (Image: Kian Abdullah/Huw Evans Agency) 'We won comfortably at home in dry conditions but lost at Ebbw Vale in the wet and the dry,' he said. 'You can look back at those games to try and find a couple of themes but this is a cup final. Ebbw Vale will bring something new and so will we for what will be a hell of an arm wrestle. 'They are undefeated at home and that will give them another five per cent to their game but it takes a big effort to beat them whatever the ground. 'The dry conditions suit us but there's more to their game than just a set piece. We have to deliver what we can, and control what we can control. 'We finished runners-up last year so really wanted to achieve a final again, so fingers crossed we can be more than the bridesmaid this year. 'It'll be a noisy day and a great atmosphere, Ebbw Vale have a big following and I am sure our supporters will turn up in their numbers.' Newport have also profited from the experience of last year's final, plus the build-up to three Principality Stadium cup clashes since 2018. 'The players are controlling this now,' said Morris. 'It would be quite easy to do an extra session or really go hard at them but they know everything about policies, our attack, our defence. 'There is a bit more detail around Ebbw Vale this week but not around intensity, it's making sure there is a clear understanding of things. 'We had an easy session and walk through on Tuesday, then got to Tiny Rebel for some food and a sparkling water. The hard work has been done all year and the guys are raring to go for Sunday.'
South Wales Argus
11-05-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
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.
Wales Online
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Ebbw Vale RFC reach final of Super Rygbi Cymru with stunning comeback
Ebbw Vale RFC reach final of Super Rygbi Cymru with stunning comeback Ebbw Vale were 21-5 down at half-time before a remarkable fightback in the secod period Joe Franchi of Ebbw Vale at the final whistle (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency ) It proved to be lucky 13 for Ebbw Vale as they produced a stunning second half comeback against Llandovery to reach the Super Rygbi Cymru final with a 29-28 win. In what was the proverbial game of two halves at Eugene Cross Park, Llandovery led this semi-final 21-5 at half time thanks to three first half tries, with Ebbw's own indiscipline costing them. But the second half belonged to Ebbw as they overturned that 16-point deficit with three tries of their own after the break to stun the Drovers. It was the Steelmen's 13th victory from as many games on home soil this season and their third win over Llandovery of the campaign, while also avenging their SRC Cup final loss at Church Bank in March. The reward for Jason Strange's men is a clash with the winner of tomorrow's other semi. Ebbw will either head to Cardiff or host Newport next weekend. Meanwhile there won't be another final appearance for last season's Premiership league and cup double winners Llandovery, who had started so well here – racing into a 14-0 lead after 12 minutes. Article continues below Straight on the front foot, they scored the opening try six minutes in; second row Morgan Jones rose to take the lineout, outside half Ioan Hughes played a delightful dink over the top with inside centre Rhodri Jones seized on it to score. Hughes converted. Having made a fast start, the Drovers were over again six minutes later. It was scored by skipper Lee Rees but created by full-back Jac Davies, as he took Adam Warren's pass and jinked through before sending scrum-half Rees over, Hughes again took care of the extras. Already up against it, Ebbw played for half of the first period with 14 men. Right wing Ieuan Evans was sent to the sin-bin for 10 minutes for a deliberate knock on and no sooner had he returned, back-rower Jack Pope was then shown a yellow card for an illegal use of the boot. Despite that and crucially, they still managed to get themselves back into it with a breakaway try on 32 minutes; Evan Lloyd intercepted inside his own half before sending left wing Ryan Gardner in with a perfectly weighted pass – and he found the acceleration to race through to the line. Lloyd pulled a difficult conversion wide of the sticks. But Llandovery pressed home their advantage with try number three right on half time and it came through another bit of individual brilliance from Davies as this time provider turned scorer. Davies collected the ball on halfway and darted through to score with five Llandovery players unable to get near him. Hughes converted. Ebbw, who recovered from 10 points down to win their quarter-final against Carmarthen Quins, would have to do so again – and they came back out full of intent. The hosts piled the pressure on Llandovery early in the second half and, after giving away a succession of penalties and having received a warning from referee Ben Whitehouse, skipper Rees was sent to the sin-bin after 46 minutes. Four minutes later, Ebbw capitalised as their forward pressure finally told with full-back Morgan Richards finishing off after good work from scrum-half Gruff Tough and Lloyd converting. Rees returned but Lloyd kicked Ebbw back to within one score on the hour. Now 21-15 ahead, Hughes then chose not to kick for goal when presented with a penalty and they might have been left to rue that decision as on 68 minutes Ebbw snatched the lead for the first time. It came from a bit of brilliance outside centre Ethan Phillips who kicked ahead, then got there before two Llandovery players, chipped the ball beyond them and took the ball on the bounce to go over. Lloyd's conversion made it 22-21 to complete the turnaround. Llandovery were stunned and the decisive moment came on 73 minutes when Ebbw scored again when replacement hooker Ieuan Morris drove over after a dominant rolling maul. Lloyd's conversion was good. To add to the drama, Ebbw would finish the game with 14 men when Gardner was shown a yellow but the Steelmen, who lost in two semi-finals last season including one at the hands of the Drovers, were in no mood to surrender. Harri Doel scored again for Llandovery with the final play but it was ultimately scant consolation. Article continues below Scorers: Ebbw Vale: Tries: R Gardner, M Richards, E Phillips, I Morris; Cons: E Lloyd (3); Pen: E Lloyd Llandovery: Tries: R Jones, L Rees, J Davies, H Doel; Cons: I Hughes (3), J Maynard
