Ebbw Vale 22 Llandovery 24

THE Steelmen came close to causing a major surprise against the in-form Drovers but in the end had to settle for a losing bonus point.

The point takes them three clear of bottom side Pontypool, but more importantly this valiant effort will give the Steelemen a lot of encouragement in the future battles to keep in the Premiership.

The home pack produced its best performances of the season to put the Llandovery forwards on the back foot for most of the game, but sadly the backs did not have the cunning or the pace to claim victory.

Coaches Matthew McCarthy and Christian Loader, along with new club consultant Rowland Phillips, were both pleased and disappointed at the same time.

“We gave them a real test up front,” said McCarthy.

“It was only the class of their backs that saved them.”

Phillips, who is being talked about as the new director of rugby, was realistic enough to accept that despite the huge effort from the pack, the Drovers had the class and speed to turn the game.

“The Drovers are the in- form team and to run them so close means there is potential here to climb,” he said.

The front row of Matthew Jeffreys, Matthew Williams and Kristian Gay posed a lot of scrum problems for the Drovers, and both the line- outs and loose exchanges went the home way.

The back row of James Thomas,Rhys Williams and Rhys Jenkins won the contact area, where the Drovers conceded a lot of penalties.

And with fly-half Gareth Bowen in terrific goal-kicking form the 16-10 interval lead was well deserved.

Bowen kicked three fine penalties and converted an opportunist try by centre Shaun Powell, but the highlight of the first half was a brilliant try from Llandovery centre Joe Ajuwa.

The big Nigerian weaved past defenders and scorched away on a 60-metre run.

Fly-half Cerith Rees chipped in with a conversion and penalty, but when Bowen kicked his fourth penalty after 50 minutes an upset was still on the cards.

Rees then sent wing Ifan Evans in cleverly for a converted try before Ajuwa made another scintillating break to send Evans in for another seven-pointer.

Bowen’s fifth penalty made more than sure of a valuable bonus point for brave Vale.

Ebbw Vale: A Williams; E Lewis-Pratt, N Wakley (N Wilcox 65), S Powell, A Bevan (O Halford h/t); G Bowen, A Jenkins (capt); M Jeffreys, M Williams, K Gay (A Murphy 63), N Eaves (A Llewellyn 77), J Griffiths, J Thomas, R Williams, R Jenkins (T Mabbutt 77).

Try: S Powell; con: G Bowen; pens: G Bowen (5).

Referee: Phil Fear (Fleur de Lys).

Attendance: 750.

Argus star man: Rhys Williams.