Match Report Swansea RFC 17 Ebbw Vale RFC 24
Ebbw claim five points on the road
The Steelmen came away from St Helens with a bonus point victory after an entertaining game was played in weather conditions that changed during the afternoon.
The visitors surged into an early lead, after good play by the forwards in the hosts twenty-two, saw scrum half Jon Evans send the ball out wide for winger Ewan Bowden to go over out wide for the games first try. Full back for the day Evan Lloyd was unsuccessful with the conversion.
The away side soon doubled their try tally. From first phase ball off the top of the lineout just outside the All Whites twenty-two, the Ebbw Vale forwards took the game to the home side. With each forward surge making inroads inside the hosts twenty-two, second row Dylan Barlett collected a pass and barged over the try line to score. Full back Lloyd added the extras.
With the Swansea backs starting to get some ball, an excellent break by full back Harri Houston from inside his own half, saw the number fifteen glide through the Ebbw defence. With one man to beat, the fullback drew his man and passed to supporting winger Llien Morgan to go over unopposed for a well taken try. Outside half Luke Scully successfully kicked the conversion.
However, the Steelmen were to respond immediately. With an improved lineout going well, the ball made its way out to outside centre Ethan Phillips. With a lot still to do, the centre showed his gas to go over the try line untouched from around the halfway line to score an excellent individual try. On this occasion Lloyd was unable to add the two points.
The final score of the half was to come from the boot of the All Whites fly half Luke Scully to bring his side within seven points of the away side. With the hosts looking likely to score a try in the visitors twenty-two, referee Ben Connor awarded the hosts a penalty and showed Ebbw Vale scrum half Jon Evans a yellow card for ill-discipline.
Half Time: Swansea RFC 10 Ebbw Vale RFC 17
The second half started with both sides taking it to each other. Referee Connor awarding penalties to both sides. However, neither side were able to take advantage and add to the scoreline.
The Steelmen’s coach Jason Strange decided to replace Co-captain Rhys Francis and prop Morgan Davies with fellow co-captain Joe Franchi and Luke Garrett.
With Swansea seeing more and more of the ball and territory, Ebbw coach Strange made further changes with prop Owen Hatherill replacing Adam Court and flankers Ewan McIntyre and Lewis Young coming on for Ben Main and Cameron Regan.
The All Whites soon brought the game level. Patient play by the home side saw centre Tom Florence score the first try of the afternoon. Fly half Scully levelled the score.
The Ebbw Vale replacements were starting to make their mark, especially in the scrum. After a good team move in the hosts twenty-two, referee Connor awarded Swansea centre Florence a yellow card for stopping what looked like a certain try illegally.
With the visitors getting the upper hand in the scrum and the referee awarding the away side penalty after penalty, the Steelmen were to score the decisive try. With a dominant pack pushing the scrum, quick ball out to the backs by scrum half Evans saw outside half Kieran Meek put in a lovely chip kick into space out wide for returning winger Ryan Gardner to catch the ball and score Ebbw’s bonus point try. Lloyd successfully kicked the conversion from a difficult angle.
With Swansea camping themselves in the Ebbw Vale twenty-two and pushing to try and bring the game level, the away side’s coach Strange made his side’s final change of the afternoon by replacing scrum half Jon Evans with Rory Harries.
Despite late sustained pressure by the All whites, the home side were unable to take advantage and referee Connor brought the game to a close.
Full Time: Swansea RFC 17 Ebbw Vale RFC 24
After the match we spoke with Ebbw Vale winger and try scorer Ryan Gardner. Ryan acknowledged it was a tough contest. He thought the team started well and built up a lead, but credit to Swansea as they managed to claw themselves back into the game. However, the winger was happy the team were able to hold Swansea out at the end.
Finally, Ryan was happy to have scored a try. He stated it had been a long road to recovery over the past 15 months after injury. However, he said it was good to be back with the boys and get over the line in the game.
Tries: Ewan Bowden (1), Dylan Bartlett (1), Ethan Phillips (1), Ryan Gardner (1)
Conversions: Evan Lloyd (2)
Ebbw Vale`s next game is at home against Aberavon RFC at the Ciner Glass Community Stadium in the Indigo Premiership on Saturday April 6th 2024 with kick off at 14:30pm.
Written by Alex Kinsella-Evans