Pooler found it tough going at Ebbw Vale

It was top versus bottom in this festive Gwent derby on Saturday as Ebbw Vale welcomed traditional rivals Pontypool to the Ciner Glass Community Stadium for their clash in the Super Rygbi Cymru, writes Ray Ruddick. It is no surprise to see that Ebbw Vale are leading the way as they are the most consistent side in Wales, with only one defeat so far this season. They are well coached, well drilled and very efficient who do the simple things effectively.

Pontypool, playing in their changed strip of predominantly black, kicked off attacking the cricket end of the ground on a chilly and damp afternoon. There wasn’t much to choose between the two teams in the first 15 minutes or so as both sides were looking for that important first score to settle their nerves. In the 17^th minute Ebbw were penalised for not rolling away at a ruck just inside their 22 in front of the posts and visiting outside half Harri Ford made no mistake with his shot at goal (0-3). Five minutes later the Steelmen were on the attack inside the visitors’ 22 and the ball reached wing Dafydd Thomas who squeezed over in the left corner for a try which outside half Dorian Jones converted with a fine kick (7-3).

In the 25^th minute Pooler’s left wing Marcus Jones was yellow-carded for taking out a player in the air and Pontypool’s hooker Anuerin James also saw yellow for some indiscipline in the same phase of play, so the visitors were down to 13 players for 10 minutes. A couple of minutes later, Ebbw took advantage of their numerical advantage when their powerful driving maul resulted in a try 10 metres in from the right corner by hooker and captain Joe Franchi. Dorian Jones converted (14-3). Pooler then had to make an enforced change for front row cover when Evan Wood came on as a temporary replacement for number eight Ieuan Jones. Just before the interval, another impressive driving maul from a lineout, Ebbw’s forte, and the same result – Joe Franchi’s second try of the half – with Dorian Jones adding the extras. Half time score – Ebbw Vale 21 Pontypool 3.

Eleven minutes into the second period saw Pooler change the whole front row when Kyan Best, making his 50^th appearance for the club, replaced Jake Wisniewski at loose head prop, Evan Wood took over from Aneurin James and tight head Owain James made way for Kelvyn Williams. A minute later the Steelmen scored their bonus-point try when centre Ethan Phillips touched down near the posts from close range. Dorian Jones slotted the conversion (28-3). Just before the hour mark, Pontypool took a tap penalty near the posts, play went right and Harri Ford found a gap in the home defence and crossed for a try, 10 metres in from the corner. His conversion attempt struck the right upright and bounced infield (28-8).

In the 63^rd minute visiting centre Joel Mahoney took a knock and was replaced by Pat Lewis then, two minutes later Pooler made another change when Ellis Davies took over from right wing Ioan Duggan. A minute later a lovely, well-worked move by Ebbw saw Ethan Phillips score his brace when he crossed for a try to the left of the posts. Dorian Jones added a further two points from the tee (35-8). In the 67^th minute Pooler made two replacements in the back row – Callum Davies replaced flanker Evan Minto and Lloyd Riley took over from Ieuan Jones then, shortly after, Logan Franklin replaced visiting scrum half Morgan Lloyd. With about 10 minutes remaining a great break by Pat Lewis cut through the Ebbw defence and he sprinted 50 metres, side-stepped the last line of defence to score a wonderful individual try near the posts. Harri Ford converted (35-15). In the second minute of injury time Dorian Jones managed to get over for a try in the right corner but his difficult conversion attempt failed (40-15). Four minutes later play was inside Ebbw’s 22 with Pooler in possession and home second row Dylan Bartlett was yellow carded. The final whistle sounded soon after with the score at the end of an absorbing contest, Ebbw Vale 40 Pontypool 15.

Congratulations to Ebbw Vale on their thoroughly deserved victory. For Pontypool, it wasn’t a bad performance as the players never gave up, fought to the end and scored a couple of good tries, but they were up against an in-form and particularly strong Ebbw side. Both clubs meet again next Saturday in the return match over the Christmas period at Pontypool Park, kick-off will be at the usual 2.30pm.

Ebbw Vale: Evan Lloyd, Dafydd Thomas (replaced by Morgan Richards), Ethan Phillips, Dom Franchi (replaced by Cameron Davies), Ewan Bowden, Dorian Jones, Rory Harries (replaced by Gruff Tough), Luke Garrett (replaced by Morgan Williams), Joe Franchi (captain, replaced by Ieuan Morris), Morgan Bosanko (replaced by Adam Williams), Dylan Bartlett, Curtis Gregory, Jack Pope (replaced by Alfred Bateman-Lloyd), Sion Parry and Ryan Jenkins (replaced by Lewis Young).

Pontypool: Carrick McDonough, Ioan Duggan (replaced by Ellis Davies), Ioan Evans, Joel Mahoney (replaced by Pat Lewis), Marcus Jones, Harri Ford, Morgan Lloyd (replaced by Logan Franklin), Jake Wisniewski (replaced by Kyan Best), Aneurin James (replaced by Evan Wood), Owain James (replaced by Kelvyn Williams), Joe Davies, Liam Antrobus, Scott Matthews (captain), Evan Minto (replaced by Callum Davies) and Ieuan Jones (replaced by Lloyd Riley).