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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.
South Wales Argus
03-05-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Ebbw Vale and Newport through to Super Rygbi Cymru semis
Pooler suffered a 39-20 loss at Church Bank to Llandovery, who are hunting a third title on the spin. With the SRC not following the normal brackets for play-off competitions for some reason, the fourth seeds will now travel to face second seeds Ebbw Vale next weekend. The Steelmen were given a scare by Carmarthen Quins but retained their unbeaten record at Eugene Cross Park thanks to a 45-35 victory. Jason Strange's men trailed 24-14 at half-time but turned things around to earn another shot at the Drovers, who they lost to in the final of the SRC Cup at Church Bank. Third seeds Newport enjoyed a 40-25 win against Aberavon at Spytty Park and will now face famous rivals Cardiff at the Arms Park. It was tight at the break with the Black and Ambers trailing 13-12 after tries by wing Lloyd Lewis and scrum-half Dafydd Buckland. However, Jac Lloyd, Iestyn Galton and David Richards (2) to earn the victory and they will now travel to table-toppers Cardiff, who beat Bridgend 31-19. Full details and reaction to come.
South Wales Argus
02-05-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Ebbw Vale hope home advantage is key in Super Rygbi Cymru
The Steelmen host Carmarthen Quins in the quarter-finals of the play-offs on Saturday night (kick-off 7.30pm). Ebbw Vale Cricket Club's second XI encounter with Usk thirds means that it's a late start, but Jason Strange's men will aim to deal with any Quins doosras. They will head into next season with the SRC Challenger Shield that they won at Llandovery and defended on home soil. That stretched their Eugene Cross Park unbeaten run back to the last-gasp March, 2024 loss to Newport. Ebbw finished second behind Cardiff to ensure that they are guaranteed a home semi-final if they avoid an upset this weekend. Then they would either head to Cardiff Arms Park or host another rival in the final. TIGHT: The Ebbw Vale squad (Image: Kian Abdullah/Huw Evans Agency) 'Our goals for the season were to get to the cup final and finish in the top two for a home quarter-final and possible semi, so it's been a fantastic season so far,' said Strange. 'I've learnt from my rugby league experience [with St Helens and Warrington in Super League] that home advantage is so important. 'That's particularly the case for us because we haven't lost at Eugene Cross Park in 14 months so that gives us a great chance to reach the final, but we still need to be good on the day. 'We've put ourselves in this position through hard work by a lot of people, especially the players. The club is connected again, on and off the field. 'We are in a strong position because we are well supported, there is a lot going on in terms of ground development and our team is really strong.' Ebbw have steadily grown since the return of Strange, who laid the foundations for the 2016 Premiership title triumph along with Neil Edwards. Last season they were beaten by Llandovery in the Premiership Cup semi-final and heavily by Newport in the last four of the play-offs. Ebbw made it through to the final of the SRC Cup in March but were overpowered by the Drovers in the second half at Church Bank. 'You have to lose one or two to win one or two,' said Strange. 'Every experience is a good one, whether you win or lose, as long as you take the learnings.' Form suggests that this weekend is a case of avoiding a banana skin before tougher tests but the Quins showed their resilience with a win up north against RGC in the wildcard round. 'We've had tough games against them, even though we won all three,' said Strange. 'They have a strong set piece and a good kicking 9. 'They definitely have something about them and we respect them, but it's down to us doing what we do well.' Avoid a shock and Ebbw will be able to get on with planning a semi-final, which will lead to more negotiations with the cricket club. The second XI are pencilled in for a clash with Ponthir on Saturday, May 10. 'Hopefully they can be understanding because it would be really big for the area,' said Strange. 'It's a big rugby town and the economic benefits are massive, but first we need to focus on Saturday.' Influential fly-half Evan Lloyd is back to pull the strings for Ebbw after missing the narrow win against Swansea to end the regular season. That means that Ethan Phillips can return to midfield while Ryan Gardner is back on the wing in place of Harry Rees-Weldon. The Wales Under-20s wing will be travelling to South Africa with the Dragons after a try-scoring debut against the Ospreys last weekend. Ebbw Vale: Matt Jones; Ewan Bowden, Ethan Phillips, Cameron Davies, Ryan Gardner; Evan Lloyd, Gruff Tough; Luke Garrett, Joe Franchi (captain), Adam Williams, Dylan Bartlett, Curtis Gregory, Jack Pope, Sion Parry, Ryan Jenkins. Replacements: TBC.
