Match Report Ebbw Vale RFC 47 Bridgend Ravens 15

Ebbw Keep Up Their Good Form

A strong second half team performance, including a hat trick of tries by captain Joe Franchi saw the Steelmen clinch another six points at home against Bridgend Ravens, to enhance top position in the Super Rygbi Cymru. The game saw flanker Harry Beddall make his debut for Ebbw Vale.

The home side made a strong start. Outside half Evan Lloyd put in a delightful chip over the Ravens backline on the halfway line. Lloyd beat the away side players to the ball, threw a dummy on the final defender and dived over the line unopposed to score the games opening try. Lloyd successfully kicked the conversion.

The visitors soon hit back. A long kick through by Bridgend saw winger Cameron Ellis speed through to get to the ball before the covering defence to score. Inside centre Fraser Jones added the extras to draw the game level.

A yellow card to Ravens number eight Benji Williams gave the hosts a chance to apply the pressure. A penalty kick by fly half Lloyd into the away sides twenty-two saw the Steelmen with a lineout. From the throw in, the Ebbw forwards, assisted by the backs, set up a driving maul which was finished off by captain Joe Franchi. Lloyd was unsuccessful with the conversion.

Ebbw Vale nearly extended their lead further when winger Ewan Bowden showed his speed down the wing. With a defender to beat, winger Bowden chipped over the last line of defence. Looking likely to score, Bowden was about to get to the ball before a Bridgend player looked to have taken the winger out. Referee Lucas Yendle decided otherwise and Bridgend cleared their lines.

The visitors made it a two-point game when centre Jones sent a penalty through the middle of the posts.

Still with a numerical advantage, the home side extended their lead further. From a line out in the Bridgend twenty-two, the forwards put in a powerful driving maul for hooker Franchi to bag his second try of the afternoon. Number ten Lloyd added the two points with the last kick of the first half.

Half Time: Ebbw Vale RFC 19 Bridgend Ravens 10

The Steelmen came out for the second half looking to add to the scoreline. They eventually did when from a good back’s move, full back Morgan Richards used his strength and speed to cross the try line. Lloyd sent the ball through the middle of the posts.

Ebbw head coach Jason Strange decided to change props Morgan Williams and Adam Williams with Morgan Bosanko and Adam Court.

Minutes later Bridgend were again reduced to fourteen men when flanker Alfie Thomas was sent to spend ten minutes in the sin bin.

With the numerical advantage, the hosts extended their lead further. A penalty sent deep into the visitors twenty-two, saw the forwards set up the maul. However, instead of driving towards the line, the ball was passed to outside centre Ethan Phillips, who went sped over the line untouched. Lloyd again kicked the conversion.

Within minutes of each other Ebbw coach Strange made a string of substitutes. Firstly, Lewis Young and Owen Conquer replaced flanker Sion Parry and number eight Ryan Jenkins. Then centre Dom Franchi came on for Cam Davies, Dan Buffery replaced scrum half Rory Harries and outside half Dorian Jones came on for Morgan Richards. Starting fly half Lloyd moved to full back. Substitute Morgan Bosanko had to leave the pitch to be replaced by starting prop Morgan Williams.

Despite ringing the changes, Ebbw kept on the front foot. With the forwards having the grit between their teeth, hooker Franchi benefited from a third driving maul to score a hat trick of tries. Lloyd added the two points.

The final change for the Steelmen saw hooker Franchi leave the field to be replaced by Charlie Manship.

A nasty looking injury to the home side replacement Owen Conquer, saw the young number eight be helped off the field to leave the hosts see out the remaining fifteen minutes of the game with fourteen men.

Bridgend took advantage of being a man extra. From a lineout a strong maul by the away side saw replacement prop Corey Lewis score his sides second try of the game. Jones was unsuccessful with the conversion.

The final try of the game was scored by the hosts. Being camped in the Ravens twenty-two, the ball made its way out to Lloyd. A very well timed pass by Lloyd to winger Dafydd Thomas, saw the defence beaten and Thomas went over untouched. Lloyd again sent the ball through the posts.

Despite the best efforts of both sides, no further points were added to the scoreline.

Full Time: Ebbw Vale RFC 47 Bridgend Ravens 15

Tries: Evan Lloyd (1), Joe Franchi (3), Morgan Richards (1), Ethan Phillps (1), Dafydd Thomas (1)

Conversions: Evan Lloyd (6)

Ebbw Vale RFC man of the match: Evan Lloyd

 

After the game we spoke to flanker Harry Beddall. Discussing the game Harry thought the team had to stick in the game in the first half, especially after not scoring the points their efforts deserved. Harry believed the team wore Bridgend down in the second half, with the team playing to their strengths, especially with the driving maul.

Harry said it was special to make his debut for the club. He praised the squad for welcoming him in, helping him learn his role and was happy to be on the field playing.

  

Pictures courtesy of Richard Whitcombe

Ebbw Vale’s next game is the first of a double header against Pontypool RFC at home at the Ciner Glass Community Stadium on Saturday 20th December 2025, with kick off at 2:30pm.

Tickets can be purchased for the game at the following link: Ebbw Vale RFC v Pontypool RFC

The Ebbw Vale Squad for the fixture against Bridgend Ravens:

 

 

Written by Alex Kinsella-Evans