Match Report – Ebbw Vale RFC 38 Carmarthen Quins 6
Ebbw keep applying the pressure
Ebbw Vale remain top after victory over a very good Carmarthen Quins team in front of the S4C Clic cameras to continue their good start to the season.
Despite a strong start to the game by the home side, the first points came to the Quins after fly half Elis Price sent a penalty through the middle of the goal posts.
However, the Steelmen hit back within a few minutes. After good play by the forwards, a neat grubber kick through saw centre Ethan Phillips beat the covering defender to kick the ball on for winger Dafydd Thomas to drop on the ball over the line. Outside half Dorian Jones successfully added the two points.
The visitors reduced the deficit to one point when number ten Price again sent a penalty through the posts.
Despite the efforts of both sides, there was no further points added to the scoreboard until the 35th minute. With the hosts getting the upper hand against the head on a scrum in the Carmarthen twenty-two, outside half Jones sent the penalty to the touchline. From the lineout Ebbw set up the driving maul for the leagues top try scorer Ieuan Morris to cross for the games second try. Outside half Jones successfully kicked the conversion.
Half Time: Ebbw Vale RFC 14 Carmarthen Quins 6
The second half started the same as the first half finished. Within seven minutes of the restart, Ebbw number ten Jones extended his side`s lead by ten points after successfully slotting over the penalty.
Despite pressure from the Quins in the home sides twenty-two, the Steelmen’s defence kept the visitors out.
The hosts first changes of the game came when hooker Ieuan Morris was replaced by Joe Franchi, Joe Rees Weldon came on for Ben Main and prop Adam Williams replaced Morgan Bosanko. Moments later prop Luke Garrett was replaced by Morgan Williams.
With the game entering the last fifteen minutes, a penalty to the five-metre line by Evan Lloyd saw the Steelmen set up a driving maul. Having been stopped close to the line, the forwards set up drive after drive. With a penalty advantage second row Dylan Bartlett picked up the ball and used his strength to drive over the line. Outside half Dorian Jones again successfully kicked the conversion.
With Jones stretching his leg after kicking the conversion, Ebbw coach Jason Strange replaced number ten Jones with full back Morgan Richards. Evan Lloyd moving into his usual ten position.
Minutes later good inroads by the forwards into the Quins half, saw an excellent kick by Ebbw Vale’s Evan Lloyd into space out wide. Winger Ewan Bowden collected a bouncing ball, escape two tackles from the Quins defenders and cross the line for the home side`s fourth and bonus point try of the game. Lloyd sent a good kick from out wide through the uprights.
The Steelmen’s coach Jason Strange emptied the bench in the final ten minutes with scrum half Rory Harries making his 50th appearance for the club, number eight Lewis Young and centre Cameron Davies replacing Gruff Tough, Ryan Jenkins and Dom Franchi.
With the game entering the final moments, a scrum to Ebbw Vale under the posts saw the hosts try an attack. With the referee awarding a penalty to Ebbw, captain Joe Franchi opted for a scrum. The Steelmen’s eight put in a big push in the scrum to send the Carmarthen forwards back over the try line. The referee awarded a penalty try and showed the visitors flanker Shaun Evans, which saw the Quins finish the game with fourteen players on the field.
Full Time: Ebbw Vale RFC 38 Carmarthen Quins RFC 6
Tries: Dafydd Thomas, Ieuan Morris, Dylan Bartlett, Ewan Bowden, Penalty try
Conversions: Dorian Jones (3), Evan Lloyd (1)
Penalties: Dorian Jones (1)
Ebbw Addicts MOTM: Gruff Tough
Pictures courtesy of Richard Whitcombe
The match also saw a minutes silence for former player Sion Jones and former club photographer, Alan Davies.
Tributes read at the game
Sion Jones
Everyone at Ebbw Vale RFC were deeply saddened to hear of the sudden passing of former player Sion Jones. Sion was an extremely talented winger who played for Ebbw in 2013/14. Sion was very popular off the pitch as well with his laid-back approach to life and humble manner. He will be sorely missed, and our thoughts and prayers are with Sion’s family and loved ones at this difficult time.
Alan Davies
It is with great sadness that the club has been informed of the recent death of Alan Davies. Alan was the club photographer for many years where he could be seen walking around the touchline with his trusty camera hanging loosely around his neck and his trousers tucked in his socks, looking for the best action shots that were there to be taken. Alan took photographs of the great players that have worn the Ebbw Vale RFC badge – additionally the good and greats of Welsh club rugby.
All at Ebbw Vale RFC send our heartfelt condolences to Alan’s family and friends at this sad time.
The Steelmen Squad for the match against Carmarthen Quins was as follows:
Ebbw Vale’s next game is Thursday 4th December 2025 away to Aberavon RFC at the Talbot Athletic Ground in front of the S4C Clic cameras, with kick off at 7:30pm.
Written by Alex Kinsella-Evans