Ebbw Vale put SRC Challenge Shield on line against RGC

The Welsh Rugby Union introduced the new piece of silverware, or gimmick depending on your point of view, for the revamped 10-team top flight.

The Shield will be defended by sides throughout the campaign when they are on home soil and Premiership champions Llandovery started with it.

However, the Drovers were beaten on their new plastic pitch by the Steelmen last weekend thanks to Evan Lloyd’s late penalty in a 31-28 victory.

WINNERS: Ebbw Vale stunned Llandovery at Church Bank (Image: NCR Photography)

More importantly, that kick secured back-to-back wins over Llandovery for Ebbw to continue their strong start to the season.

Jason Strange’s men started with a win against Aberavon and responded well to a defeat at Cardiff when they failed to take their chances in the 22.

Now they will attempt to keep on a winning streak against an RGC side who make a swift return to Gwent after losing 32-20 to Pontypool last weekend.

Pooler go on their travels this weekend when facing a Carmarthen side who lost heavily to 14-man Cardiff the week after stunning the Blue and Blacks in the west.

The other Saturday games pit Aberavon against Bridgend at the Talbot Athletic Ground while Swansea host Cardiff.

Some familiar names are top of the early charts for stats in the SRC.

Morgan Allen has made a strong start to life back at Pontypool after returning from Cardiff.

The strong-running lock/number eight leads the way with 64 carries (45 per cent collision dominance) with teammate Dan Hill on 62 (39 per cent), with both forwards having five line breaks.

Pooler back rower Scott Matthews is top for turnovers with nine while Ebbw Vale centre Dom Franchi is hitting hard with four dominant tackles, joint second in the league behind Bridgend's Ryan Wilkins.

Ebbw fly-half Lloyd is joint-top points scorer on 45 along with RGC's Billy McBryde while Cardiff winger Dewi Cross is beating players for fun, with his tally of 31 way ahead of second-placed McCauley Rowley's 17.