Cardiff RFC’s winning streak ended as Ebbw Vale fought back from 17-0 down to win.
After losing 29-12 in their last meeting at the Arms Park earlier in the season, the Steelmen got revenge as they recorded a 32-20 victory over the Blue and Blacks. This result means Jason Strange’s men now replace Cardiff at the top of Super Rygbi Cymru table.
Tries from Cameron Davies, Evan Lloyd and a brace from Ryan Jenkins saw the Steelmen record their seventh consecutive win. However, they were made to work for it as tries from debutant Edmund Anya and Alun Rees with both being converted by Fraser Jones who made his first start of the season. It proved not to be enough at the Ciner Glass Community Stadium as the Steelmen successfully defended their SRC Challenger Shield.
The Steelmen found themselves almost straightaway on the front foot inside the visitors 22 after the Blue and Blacks were penalised. From the resulting lineout there was some heroic defending and Cardiff turned over the ball to relieve the early pressure. Kenya Sevens International, Anya was then penalised for a challenge in the air and outside-half Evan Lloyd kicked into the corner.
After the lineout, the hosts were looking for a way through the brick wall defence of the Blue and Blacks and after switching direction of attack, Anya read the attack extremely well and showcased his speed as he ran in the first try of the afternoon from inside his own 22 after intercepting. Fraser Jones added the extras as the Blue and Blacks went into an early 7-0 lead on 12 minutes.
Straight from the restart, the Blue and Blacks won a scrum after the hosts were offside. Then, after a reset, referee Ben Connor awarded the visitors a penalty and Fraser Jones kicked into the 22. The hosts were then penalised again and Cardiff found themselves five metres from the line after a brilliant kick into the corner from Jones. From the catch and drive a powerful driving maul followed and Alun Rees crossed over to score his fourth of the season. Jones added the extras to double the visitors lead to 14.
The hosts were then penalised again after Luke Pollock who started on the wing went into contact as they played the ball on the floor. Fraser Jones then slotted the three to add to the already substantial lead just after the half an hour mark.
The Steelmen then responded accordingly after winning a penalty straight from the restart and Evan Lloyd from a tight angle kicked into the visitors 22. The ball was then spread through the hands and Lloyd offloaded to Cameron Davies who crossed over in the corner to score his sides first of the afternoon. Lloyd added the extras to reduce the deficit to just 10 at the break.
HT: Ebbw Vale 7-17 Cardiff
The Steelmen reduced the deficit even further on 53 minutes after a break from outside centre Cameron Davies, who offloaded to Rory Harries as he put his side on the front foot. With the Blue and Blacks closing in on the scrum-half, Harries then offloaded to Ryan Jenkins who crossed over for the Steelmen’s second of the encounter. Lloyd added the extras as Cardiff’s lead shortened to three points. Prior to the hour mark, Ebbw Vale found themselves in front for the first time in the game. This came from a powerful scrum which resulted in Ryan Jenkins crossing for his second but Lloyd did not add the extras which meant Jason Strange’s men went into a two point lead.
Jones reduced the deficit after he slotted three points as referee Ben Connor penalised the Steelmen. The hosts responded well as on 73 minutes Lloyd extended their lead back to five points after adding the three points.
With the clock in the red and after numerous penalties inside the Blue and Blacks 22 the hosts scored their bonus point. After continuing to pressure the visitors defence, Evan Lloyd crossed the whitewash for the bonus point for his side. Lloyd added the extras to secure the Steelmen five points which puts them top of the Super Rygbi Cymru table on 43 points
FT: Ebbw Vale 32-20 Cardiff
Cardiff will look to bounce back from just their second defeat of the season as they welcome Newport to the Cardiff Arms Park on Sunday (KO: 16:45).