IT'S no coincidence that Ebbw Vale's recent winning streak has coincided with the arrival of kicking ace Jason Williams at Eugene Cross Park.

Their record with him in the team is impeccable. Played two, won two and long may it continue.

Wales' record points-scorer controlled this game with such ease that it is a wonder that Vale hadn't swooped for him earlier in the season.

If they had, they surely would have been well clear of the relegation battle where they have found themselves this early into the season.

But it would be unfair to attribute Saturday's comfortable victory against Gwent neighbours Newbridge solely to Williams.

No, this game was won up front. Williams merely finished off the hard graft of the Vale pack, who completely dominated this game from the first whistle.

The scrum looked solid and the lineout worked efficiently, with hooker Matthew Williams and flankers Matthew Griffin and Mike Scudamore epitomising the hard graft of Vale's performance.

Number eight Manu Tuipulotu is another forward who caused problems for the Newbridge defence, joining the backs at every given opportunity and smashing through the gain line in typical fashion.

And with Mr Reliable at number 10, Vale now look like a side that can climb up the Welsh Premier Division table - if they steer clear of injuries.

Certainly Williams is pleased with how life has gone so far at Ebbw Vale, and after scoring 19 of his side's 24 points against one of his old teams, he wore a grin as wide as the Severn Crossing.

"I missed an easy kick at the start and I thought to myself, oh no, it is going to be one of those days," said Williams.

"But I just carried on from mid-week after that and started hitting the ball nice and stuck to my game plan, and it worked.

"I've been brought up a winner and I don't take part to lose, so playing against my old side didn't really come into it. I give 100 per cent every game."

Vale started the stronger in this game, but for all their early endeavour they just couldn't break through a stubborn Newbridge defence.

That was until inspirational 'Bridge skipper Michael Peard was sent to the sin bin, eventually giving Vale and in particular Jason Williams the chance to get some points on the board.

The next 12 minutes saw Vale further capitalise by sending over another penalty before Williams scored the game's first try.

Impressive scrum-half Scott Headington created it, breaking through the 'Bridge defence with a darting run before off-loading to Williams to dive over in the corner.

Vale's number 10 added the extras for a decent 13-0 lead.

Newbridge's cause was not helped by the erratic kicking of full back Jonathan Williams.

Williams missed two first-half penalties, and coming from a man who has already racked up over 100 points this season, they should have been sent over with consummate ease.

And for a side that failed to create very little in a poor first-half display it was a real kick in the teeth for his side.

But the finger of blame shouldn't be pointed at one man. Newbridge were poor for 50 minutes of this game. The forwards didn't perform and the backs looked short of any cutting edge.

After the break James Rowles added Vale's second try of the afternoon, with lock forward Gareth Jones bursting through into the Newbridge 22, before Tuipulotu sent a long pass across the pitch where Vale's full back exposed the overlap, diving over in the corner.

At that point Newbridge seemed to wake up, and minutes later they had their first points of the game. The visitors were awarded a penalty try after wing Arnold had been illegally held back in the corner, preventing him from collecting a pass which would have led to a try.

And eight minutes later skipper Peard atoned for his first-half indiscretion when he bundled over following a powerful driving maul set up after Newbridge had kicked a penalty into the corner for a well worked lineout.

It reduced the deficit to 21-14, but any hopes of a dramatic come-back were soon dashed after Jason Williams (who else?) sent over a drop goal with ten minutes remaining. It was fitting that Williams should have the last word, and it summed up 'Bridge's afternoon.

Ebbw Vale: J Rowles, S Horner, K Owen (c), J Hawker, A Bevan, J Williams, S Headington (R Jones 70), L Davies, M Williams, B Coutts, G Jones, R Bowen (K Faletau 34), M Griffin, M Scudamore, M Tuipulotu). Scorers: Tries: J Williams, J Rowles. Cons: J Williams. Pens: J Williams 3. Drop goals: 1.

Newbridge: J Williams, C Arnold, G Bowen, P Jones, M Addis, R Watts, M Taylor, D Alexander (R Davies 52), D Williams (C Davies 70), C Fitzpatrick (R Davies 57), M Peard (c), P Watkins (W Simms 73), G Gladwyn (J Powell), M Ackerman, S Evans. Yellow card: M Peard 24. Referee: Richard Hughes (WRU). Attendance: 375.