EBBW Vale must make take on champions Neath at Eugene Cross Park this evening without their top try scorer – loosehead prop Aaron Coundley.

The 20-year-old emphasised one of the reasons for the Steelmen’s Premiership relegation by racing to the head of the scoring chart on Saturday afternoon.

Coundley had not crossed the whitewash all season but his hat-trick in the 36-30 win over Glamorgan Wanderers put him in the lead.

Before the weekend Ebbw had scored just 15 league tries, a chronic scoring problem that played a massive part in their journey to Division One East.

Coundley, from Blackwood, will not be involved tonight as he will be playing for a Dragons Development XV against RGC 1404 in north Wales at the weekend.

And the Dragons Academy prospect said that the win over the Wanderers was tough given that he will be playing his rugby elsewhere next season.

“It was emotional,” he admitted. “I have been here since I was 17 and it was nice to go out with a bang.

“But I think the three tries that I scored were down to the pack – I was just the man that finished them off.”

Coundley was not involved with Vale at the start of the campaign because the Dragons, with the aim of increasing his weight and developing more strength, put him on an intense conditioning programme.

It appears to have paid off given the way that the loosehead has finished the season. He has been scrummaging well and managing tackle counts that Gethin Jenkins would be proud of.

“It took me a while to get back on my feet and I had to catch up in terms of match fitness but I am delighted with the way I am playing at the moment,” he said.

“Your bread and butter is scrum time as a prop but I also love getting around the park. I love the loose play and getting my hands on the ball and making tackles.”

Ebbw’s success against the Wanderers ensured back-to-back wins for the first time this season and Coundley admitted to the frustration of it being too little, too late.

He said: “We didn’t do ourselves any favours at the start of the season and our injury problems have been immense.

“But I think we have shown great commitment as a team to battle until the end.

“That is what the club is all about – Ebbw Vale will keep fighting and I am sure they will be back. Every member of staff at the club has been unbelievable and I have learnt a lot from (coaches) Rowland Phillips, Christian Loader and Matthew McCarthy. They have helped me develop.”

The Steelmen will have something of a makeshift squad for tonight’s game, their last of the season, as they will be without flankers James Thomas and Rhys Jenkins as well as Coundley.

Neath wrapped up the title on Saturday with an astonishing 109-21 win over Bedwas.