TALK about a game of two halves - first it was Ebbw Vale who scored 16 unanswered points, then Cardiff dominated after the break scoring 26 points with no reply.

A lacklustre Cardiff had been put to the sword in the first half as an Aaron Takarangi try and three penalties from Gareth Cull were scored on the back of a fierce first half wind. The wind dropped after the break and so did Vale's guard as the home side upped the pace and stole the game with three late tries from Anthony Sullivan, as well as Rhys and Martin Williams.

Ebbw made the best possible start to the game as they secured a 10-0 advantage after twenty minutes.

Despite giving away several needless penalties, Vale started to exert some authority, despite Iestyn Harris nearly stealing an early try.

The rugby league convert showed why he is one of the best in the business by dancing through the Vale defence, only a desperate tackle stopped him crossing for a try. But it was Ebbw who controlled the first-half scoreboard as first Cull landed a penalty before New Zealander Aaron Takarangi grabbed a try out wide.

From a scrum, Vale number eight Will Thomas broke, picked up and went down the blindside, Wales Under-21 flanker Rhys Williams took his pass and popped the ball to the winger who went over for a try converted by Cull.

The versatile winger landed another penalty to make it 13-0 to the Gwent side just beforehalf-time.

Take your eye off Harris for a second and he'll punish you, the former Leeds Rhino ran on a wide arch and got the ball back inside to Rhys Williams who powered through Vale's ranks.

The Cardiff centre emerged from the ensuing ruck with a bloodied face and moments later he was singled out by referee Phil Fear for some foul play which allowed Cull an unsuccessful penalty attempt.

However with his next effort Cull gave his side a 16-0 lead , Cardiff rallied late on in the half but couldn't break the Ebbw defence.

Vale benefited from the change in weather as the fierce first half wind dropped to a strong breeze, but there was much more urgency from the home side as Harris put them on the scoreboard with a penalty early in the first half.

Cardiff scored a crucial try when Iestyn Harris ran the ball out of defence and passed to Hudson who sent Rhys Williams clear for a superb try converted by Harris.

Vale coach Mike Ruddock bolstered his forwards by sending on Kati Tuipulotu and Chay Billen, but Cardiff did not let up and drew level with a third Harris penalty to tie things up at 16-all.

Ebbw lock Neil Edwards limped off to be replaced by hooker Jon Evans with Will Thomas moving into second row as things slipped away for Vale.

British Lion Martin Williams was put over for a try as Cardiff finally made their pressure tell for an unconverted try to make it 21-16, before Sullivan finished things off. Cardiff: C Morgan, C Hudson (rep P Muller 59 mins), R Williams, M Allen, A Sullivan, I Harris, R Powell (rep R Howley 65 mins), G Powell (rep P Rogers 66 mins), A Lewis (rep. J Humphries 40 mins), S John, J Tait (c) ( rep J L Tait 76 mins), A Jones, R Sowden-Taylor (rep J Malpas 78 mins), M Williams, F Mournier.

Scorers: tries Rhys Williams, Martin Williams, A Sullivan; conversion; Harris; penalties Harris (3)

Ebbw Vale: G Cull, A Takarangi, R Shorney, P Matthews, A Wagstaff (rep N McKim 62 mins), M James, L Lane, I Thomas ( rep D Penisini 65 mins), L Phillips (c), M Jones, N Edwards (rep J Evans 68 mins), O Booyse (rep C Billen 60 mins), Rhys Williams ( rep K Tuipulotu 60 mins), Paul Williams, W Thomas. Scorers: tries Takarangi, conversion; Cull; penalties Cull (3) referee; Phil Fear

*PICTURED: Despite another excellent performance Ebbw Vale's number eight Will Thomas was powerless to prevent his side's 26-16 defeat to Cardiff.