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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.'
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
South Wales Argus
09-05-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Joe Franchi: Ebbw Vale need best game to beat Llandovery
The Steelmen host Premiership champions Llandovery in the semi-finals on Saturday afternoon (kick-off 12.15pm, S4C) with the prize of either facing Cardiff at the Arms Park or hosting Newport a week on Sunday. Ebbw, SRC Challenger Shield holders, crucially earned home advantage for the play-offs by finishing second in the regular season behind the Blue and Blacks. Jason Strange's men were given a tough time by Carmarthen Quins in the quarters last weekend but got the job done 45-35. Courtesy of a draw bracket that strangely puts first against third and second versus fourth, they now face a Drovers side who are hunting a third title on the spin and who beat them 39-7 in March's SRC Cup final. Crucially, this time it's on Ebbw soil and that gives Franchi & Co a real shot avoiding the same fate as last season, when overpowered by Newport at Spytty Park in the last four. THROW: Ebbw Vale captain Joe Franchi at the lineout (Image: NCR Photography) 'We had a good regular season when finishing second and want to go a bit better than last year by getting into the final, and then hopefully get some silverware,' said hooker Franchi, a Premiership title winner with the Steelmen in 2016. 'We have kicked on and are in a better place than last year after some good additions to give us an extra edge. 'We've played Llandovery three times already this season and are 2-1 up but we are under no illusions about what it will take. 'They are probably the best attacking side in the league so we will have to be on our mettle defensively. 'We back ourselves at home and our unbeaten run gives us confidence but I'd say it will take our best performance of the season to get the victory and move on to the final.' It's fair to assume that Franchi will be at the heart of the effort against the Drovers after a remarkable try-scoring season. The hooker has so far chalked up 25 scores – perhaps the 'Catch 'n' Kynes' that helped Ebbw to the title nine years ago will be renamed. ANOTHER: Joe Franchi went over for a hat-trick for Ebbw against Carmarthen Quins (Image: NCR Photography) 'There's only one Ronnie Kynes! I'm driving the bus this year and we work so hard on our maul,' said Franchi. 'It's not just a case of sticking our heads in and seeing what happens, there is a lot in the process and the work has shown with the tries scored by me and Ieuan [Morris, his fellow hooker who is on 10]. 'It's a great weapon and one that we will try to use on Saturday but you can't be one-dimensional at this stage of the season. We have other tricks up our sleeve but always have the lineout drive to go back to.' Franchi's twin Dom returns to the XV at inside centre while full-back Morgan Richards and wing Ieuan Evans also start, with no changes up front. Ebbw Vale: Morgan Richards; Ieuan Evans, Ethan Phillips, Dom Franchi, Ryan Gardner; Evan Lloyd, Gruff Tough; Luke Garrett, Joe Franchi (captain), Adam Williams, Dylan Bartlett, Curtis Gregory, Jack Pope, Sion Parry, Ryan Jenkins. Replacements: Ieuan Morris, Morgan Williams, Adam Court, Cam Regan, Lewis Young, Rory Harries, Cameron Davies, Ewan Bowden. Llandovery: To come
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.
