EBBW Vale are the new holders of the Super Rygbi Cymru Challenge Shield after they backed up their home win over last season’s double-winning Llandovery side with a mighty 31-28 win at Church Bank, writes Rob Cole.

The Drovers had been given the Shield on the back of their superb 2023/24 season and boasted an 18-match unbeaten home record ahead of their first outing on their new 3G pitch.

But Jason Strange’s side proved to be no respecters of history, nor did they stand on any ceremony after the unveiling of the new artificial surface, as they once again defied to odds to complete the double.

Now Ebbw Vale will put their hard-earned trophy on the line when they host RGC at Eugene Cross Park this weekend.

DOUBLE: Ebbw Vale beat Llandovery at Church BankDOUBLE: Ebbw Vale beat Llandovery at Church Bank (Image: NCR Photography)

“The big challenge for us was trying to back up last week’s performance and we managed to do that. It was a significant victory for us,” said Ebbw Vale team manager Dan Haymond.

“The youngsters stood tall and we hung on in the end. That late penalty from Evan Lloyd was crucial and we got what we came for.”

Lloyd kicked four penalties and converted two of his side’s three tries. Wales U20 wing Harry Rees-Weldon got one of them and Joel Franchi got the other two.

Llandovery got back to 28-28 before the Steelmen won a final penalty which Lloyd goaled to spark great celebrations.

Newport are now the only undefeated team in the SRC after their 29-19 home win over Aberavon.

This bonus-point triumph wasn’t enough to stop Cardiff returning to the top of the table after their big home revenge win over Carmarthen Quins, but the Black & Ambers still have a game in hand after seeing their away game against Aberavon postponed at half-time in the previous round.

The Wizards took an early grip on the match through tries by Ashton Evans and Carwyn Lewis before ex-Dragons prop Nathan Evans rumbled over to get the home side back into the game.

Newport skipper Ben Roach saw yellow and then scored a try in the first half to retake the lead. Home hooker Henry Palmer and Aberavon wing Frankie Jones then exchanged tries as a tight contest remained a one score game.

But Newport sealed the match and the bonus point when replacement back rower Kyle Taylor scored.

An indication of the hard-fought forward battle was that Newport's loosehead prop Tom Workman was the man-of-the-match.

While Roach’s men bagged five points from their victory, Cardiff went one better to claim six from their 50-0 home win against the Quins to move to the top of the table, one point ahead of Newport. Ebbw Vale and Bridgend are third and fourth respectively.

Pontypool enjoyed a dominant first half performance against RGC, leading the North Wales side 29-13 at half time thanks to tries from Ieuan Jones, Dan Hills, Connor Chapman and Joel Mahoney.

RGC had taken the lead with an Ethan Fackrell try and also had a 65 metre penalty from Sam Earl-Jones.

The North Wales side fought their way back through centre Danny Cross, but Pooler kept their noses in front with a Kieran Meek penalty, which proved to be the last score of the match as it ended 32-20 to the home side at Pontypool Park.