Match Report Bridgend Ravens 21 Ebbw Vale RFC 28
Ebbw set up final game shoot out
Ebbw Vale came away from the Electric Brewery Field, Bridgend with five points, to go six points behind group leaders Llandovery, who they play in their final group game next week. The game saw second row Harry Arundel start for the first time, winger Mitch Rankine came on for his debut and scrum half Jon Evans returned to the starting lineup for the first time after recovering from an injury.
With both teams testing each other, the first twenty minutes was scoreless. However, on the twenty first minute, the Ravens struck. After a good break and support play scrum half Harvey Nash finished off a good move under the posts. Fly half Lloyd Wilkins added the extra two points.
However, the momentum swung and the Steelmen scored their first try of the game. After pressure in the home side twenty-two by the visitor’s forwards, prop Adam Williams used his strength to cross the line. Ebbw young outside half Will Ford was successful with the conversion.
Deep into stoppage time the away side took the lead for the first time. From a lineout inside the hosts twenty-two, the Ebbw Vale forwards, aided by the backs got the formidable driving maul going and hooker Joe Franchi benefited by scoring. Fly half Ford added the extras.
Despite the best efforts of both sides, no further points were added to the scoreboard, with the Steelmen going into the half time interval seven points ahead.
Half Time: Bridgend Ravens 7 Ebbw Vale RFC 14
Ebbw Vale coach Jason Strange made a host of substitutions all at once. Props Luke Garrett and Morgan Bosanko replaced Morgan Williams and Adam Williams, second row Dylan Bartlett replaced Harry Arundel, flanker Sion Parry come on for Joe Rees-Weldon and scrum half Rory Harries replaced Jon Evans.
The visitors third try came in familiar fashion by hooker Joe Franchi. Number ten Ford kept up his good form from the boot by successfully kicking the conversion to extend Ebbw’s lead to fourteen points.
The away side made further changes when centre Dominic Franchi came on for Cameron Davies and winger Mitch Rankine replaced Ryan Gardner.
The hosts struck back with ten minutes to go. After good play by Bridgend, fly half Wilkins crossed in the corner. Wilkins sent the ball through the posts from the touchline.
With time running out, a good break by the Steelmen, saw replacement centre Dominic Franchi be on the shoulder of the runner to finish off a good move to score a bonus point try. Fly half Ford kept up his one hundred percent record from the tee.
There was still time for one more try in the game. Replacement Tommy Morgan was on the hand to go under the posts unopposed. Ben Burnell taking over the kicking duties, was successful with the conversion.
No further points were added to the game. The result sees Ebbw Vale requiring a maximum of six points and Llandovery collecting none from the final group game next week, for the Steelmen to have any chance of finishing top of the group.
Full Time: Bridgend Ravens 21 Ebbw Vale RFC 28
Tries: Adam Williams (1), Joe Franchi (2), Dominic Franchi (1)
Conversions: Will Ford (4)
After the game we spoke with returning scrum half Jon Evans. Jon acknowledged it was a scrappy game but was happy to come away with the victory. He said the squad tried out new combinations in the cup competition, and as a result there were lots of players learning the systems, which shows the strength in depth of the squad at the moment. Jon was glad to get back out onto the pitch with the team and was happy for players such as Harry Arundel, who was making his first start and Mitch Rankine, who came off the bench for the first time during the game.
Ebbw Vale RFC’s next game is their final group game of the SRC Cup, at home against Llandovery RFC at the Ciner Glass Community Stadium on Saturday 21st February 2026 with kick off at 2:00pm.
The Steelmen squad was as follows:
Written by Alex Kinsella-Evans