Ebbw Vale 62

Tondu 7

Seventeen years ago, in the first season of league rugby in Wales, the Waterwheelers provided a huge shock to the collective Vale system by dumping them out of the cup.

Tondu's winning margin back in February 1991 was 12-6 and they went on to provide a further scare at St Helen's before ultimately going out to Swansea.

There was never a moment on Saturday when a repeat looked likely because from the kick-off Vale posted their intent. With limitless good ball coming their way, half-backs Bryan Shelbourne and Chris Anderson provided the platform for Greg Roberts and James Lewis to put on a classy display at centre and John Williams and Andrew Bevan to shine on the wings, with Simon Hunt - and later Aaron Bramwell - coming in to the line from full-back to put more and more of a squeeze on the battered Tondu opposition.

The result was a steady flow of tries. John Williams was most frequently over the try line with a deserved hat trick and there was particular applause for two tries within four minutes by 18-year-old prop Aaron Coundley.

Skipper Will Thomas added his name to the list of scorers before going off, replaced by Ian George. Coach Patrick Horgan was able to bring on replacements safe in the knowledge that fresh legs meant the scoreboard kept ticking over.

This was just as well because it was a bitterly cold afternoon at Eugene Cross Park.

Although hopelessly outclassed, Tondu never gave up trying and there was a big cheer when their scrum-half and captain Sam Rees was able to register a late try under the posts.

Ebbw Vale - Tries: J Williams (3), A Coundley (2), G Roberts (2), S Hunt, A Bevan, W Thomas; cons: C Anderson (6) Tondu - Try: S Rees; con: D Thomas.

Ebbw Vale: S Hunt (A Bramwell, 45); J Williams, J Lewis, G Roberts, A Bevan (K Owen, 64); C Anderson, B Shelbourne; A Coundley, R Wilkes (R Lewis, 72), A Lott (M Jones, 61), M Griffin, N Edwards, R Bowen, J McPhail (M Williams, 65), W Thomas (capt) I George, 63.

Tondu: D Thomas, L Warner, M Richards, S Brown, C Fox; W Butler, S Rees (capt); J Goss, L Davies, G Eagle, P Yates, C Rowles, R McGraw, M Morgans, J Purnell.

Referee: David Williams (WRU).

Man of the Match: Aaron Coundley.