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Steelmen back on track with victory over Newport
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| STRENGTH: John Bowd on the charge for Ebbw Vale against Newport |
Ebbw Vale 16
Newport 12
EBBW Vale again showed that home is where the heart is when they secured a morale-boosting derby victory over Newport last night.
It wasn't pretty but Vale got their noses in front and stayed there with some gutsy defence and powerful drives.
Their victory was far from convincing but it was crucial to get back on track after Saturday's woeful display at struggling Llandovery and they can now head into the league clash with Cardiff and the crucial cup quarter-final at Aberavon with a spring in their step.
Newport may have tasted defeat but there were some encouraging signs ahead of their league-cup double-header with Glamorgan Wanderers, not least the displays of several players from the fringes of their squad.
Both teams started the clash with unfamiliar line-ups, Vale due to a raft of injuries and suspensions and Newport because of the hard task of three games in seven days (a fate shared by their hosts) as well as the bumps and bruises picked up in Saturday's derby win at Cross Keys.
It was strange to watch a clash between the sides without the prospect of warhorse locks Neil Edwards and Matthew Veater squaring up.
Unsurprisingly, it was one of the players who would be inked in on the teamsheet no matter what who set the early tone - the Steelmen's skipper John Bowd. The hard carrying of the back rower put Vale on the front foot and they got their reward when prop Ian George crossed the whitewash after a drive from a line-out five yards out.
Neither side was able to stamp their authority on the game, with wasteful kicking and turnovers costing both teams, but Newport inched themselves in front with a drop goal and penalty from the assured right boot of Dan Griffiths before the half hour.
That stung the hosts into action but, while Bowd was held up over the line after a forceful drive, they were frustrated by excellent Newport defence and had to settle for a penalty by Bryan Shelbourne with five mintes remaining of the first half.
But their cushion was stretched to seven when Richard Wilkes stretched over from short range after another drive from a line-out.
The second half started in terrfific fashion when livewire scrum half Andrew Quick, who looks to have a bright future in black and amber, went on an arcing run from 30 yards out only to have a foot forced into touch when diving for the line.
But Newport got their chance to press while Vale flanker John McPhail was in the sin bin for killing the ball. Dan Griffiths punished a further infringement at the scrum with another drop goal and penalty double as the game entered the last quarter.
Vale should have strengthened their position with 15 left, only to be hit by a remarkable blunder by full-back Andrew McLaughlan.
Newport were cut open by a superb jinking break by centre Aaron Bramwell, who was only stopped by a tremendous covering tackle by lock Adam Frampton. The quick ball was spread out to McLaughlan only for him to cross the dead ball line needlessly attempting to get closer to the posts.
That gave the Ebbw fans a nervous finish, their nerves calmed slightly by another Shelbourne penalty.
Ebbw Vale: A McLaughlan, J Williams, K Owen, A Bramwell, A Bevan, B Shelbourne, G Williams, I George, R Wilkes (M Williams 74), A Lott, M Griffin, W Jones, N Aiono (R Dicks 71), J McPhail, J Bowd (captain). Scorers: tries - I George, R Wilkes; penalties - B Shelbourne (2)
Newport: N Wakley, M Burke (A Walker 71), N Williams, S Williams (captain), W Kershaw-Naylor, D Griffiths, A Quick, I Evans (D Pattison 68), M Leaman (A Brown 68), J Corsi, A Jones (A Sweet 71), A Frampton, T Organ, P Williams, R Field. Scorers: penalties - D Griffiths (2), drop goals - D Griffiths (2)
Referee: Jon Mason (WRU)
9:32pm Tuesday 25th March 2008
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CommentPosted by: Iain S, Monmouthshire on 9:21am Wed 26 Mar 08
May I just point out that Ebbw dont have anyone on suspension as quoted above. The depleted team was due to injuries and international call ups.
May I just point out that Ebbw dont have anyone on suspension as quoted above. The depleted team was due to injuries and international call ups.
Posted by: ebbwboy, Ebbw Vale on 9:28am Wed 26 Mar 08
Well pointed out, Iain, but don't expect accuracy from journos mun!
Well pointed out, Iain, but don't expect accuracy from journos mun!
Posted by: ksrdmn, newport on 9:58am Wed 26 Mar 08
best team on the night wat international call up
best team on the night wat international call up
Posted by: Iain S, Monmouthshire on 10:10am Wed 26 Mar 08
James and Rob Lewis are away playing for Wales 7's and Simon Hunt is Playing for England 7's in the same competition
James and Rob Lewis are away playing for Wales 7's and Simon Hunt is Playing for England 7's in the same competition
Posted by: adamc, Ebbw Vale on 10:28am Wed 26 Mar 08
The best team won on the night. It was hard for Ebbw seeing as they were playing against 15 players and the ref.
The best team won on the night. It was hard for Ebbw seeing as they were playing against 15 players and the ref.
Posted by: stevey, B.G. on 10:50am Wed 26 Mar 08
Better report here than in the Western Mail. Er, there isn't one in the Western Mail.
Better report here than in the Western Mail. Er, there isn't one in the Western Mail.
Posted by: ebbwboy, Ebbw Vale on 4:05pm Thu 27 Mar 08
[quote][bold]adamc[/bold] wrote:
The best team won on the night. It was hard for Ebbw seeing as they were playing against 15 players and the ref.[/quote] I love it when we complain about the ref even after we've won.
adamc wrote:
The best team won on the night. It was hard for Ebbw seeing as they were playing against 15 players and the ref.
I love it when we complain about the ref even after we've won.
Posted by: stevey, B.G. on 4:40pm Thu 27 Mar 08
[quote][bold]ebbwboy[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]adamc[/bold] wrote: The best team won on the night. It was hard for Ebbw seeing as they were playing against 15 players and the ref.[/quote] I love it when we complain about the ref even after we've won.[/quote] He gave us nowt mind, except an undeserved yellow.
ebbwboy wrote:
adamc wrote: The best team won on the night. It was hard for Ebbw seeing as they were playing against 15 players and the ref.
I love it when we complain about the ref even after we've won.
He gave us nowt mind, except an undeserved yellow.
Posted by: adamc, Ebbw Vale on 10:58am Fri 28 Mar 08
[quote][bold]stevey[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]ebbwboy[/bold] wrote: [quote][bold]adamc[/bold] wrote: The best team won on the night. It was hard for Ebbw seeing as they were playing against 15 players and the ref.[/quote] I love it when we complain about the ref even after we've won.[/quote] He gave us nowt mind, except an undeserved yellow.[/quote] Thats true and he didnt even say anything to them and they were offside every time we had the ball.
stevey wrote:
ebbwboy wrote: adamc wrote: The best team won on the night. It was hard for Ebbw seeing as they were playing against 15 players and the ref.
I love it when we complain about the ref even after we've won.
He gave us nowt mind, except an undeserved yellow.
Thats true and he didnt even say anything to them and they were offside every time we had the ball.
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