Sunday saw the latest instalment in the fairytale that is Ebbw Vale RFC, from relegation, to four consecutive titles to Principality Premiership Champions – all in six years.
SUNDAY 15TH MAY 2016
This date will remain synonymous amongst Ebbw fans everywhere as the day captain Damien Hudd and his army of ‘Steelmen’ lifted the Principality Premiership trophy to be crowned 2015/16 champions.
It all started from the final game in the 2009/10 season against Neath in a game the ‘Steelmen’ lost 48-21 at Eugene Cross Park, and despite Ebbw Vale RFC already being relegated by a fixture they took no part in midweek before, it was an unsavoury moment for all involved in the club. They was going down!
Just a fortnight prior to their first season in the second tier , the then Division one east, there were four players on the books and no coaches, luckily they pulled together and with the help and backing of CEO Jonathan Jones and many many more the season began. It was a tough season with worthy opponents such as Newbridge causing the men from Gwent plenty of trouble in their bid to be crowned champions. It was in Ebbw’s hands going into the final game against Bedlinog, this was going to be far from an easy task being on the foxes ground. However with experienced players such as hooker Mathew ”Chunky” Williams at the helm Ebbw Vale RFC were crowned champions thanks to a late bonus point via a penalty try.
It is relevant to say that there is a three year ring fence project in place at this time and so Ebbw could not progress any further at this point, sadly.
Season two and their last in Division one east prior to the implementation saw only three losses, again Newbridge were a thorn in Ebbw’s side completing the double over them. The season came down to yet another away game with hundreds of ”Ebbw addicts” heading over to Tredegars recreation ground, where they saw their side thrash the home team 52-0.
(photo taken post-game,2010/11 season)
The 2012/13 season saw the introduction of the National Championship. Only an away game against Whitland that ended 30-29 that prevented a perfect season and many fans from other clubs as well started screaming for them to be allowed into the Premiership which was still ring fenced for another season.
At this point Ebbw Vale RFC had amassed over 1000 points in the season and were looking worryingly dominating for their opposition of whom was often laid to the sword by half time at the latest.
In 2013/14 the Premiership was up for grabs and every team in the Championship was ready to fight for all they had. Ebbw kicked off the season away to newcomers RGC1404, coming away with a 31-16 victory. It was another fabulous season, only losing on the final day of the season, away to Narbeth. A TV curse which seemed to hang over The Gwent side ever since they lost to Glamorgan Wanderers in the Premiership prior to relegation struck again. A game that was televised.
The title and promotion was claimed at home in a tie against Beddau. Eugene Cross erupted as the final whistle blew and top class rugby was in the northern Gwent valley once again. 50-7 the score , yet at the end a Beddau player, still happy said jokingly whilst holding a can of beer taken from the Ebbw winners crate, as he faced his mates, ”I’ve signed for Ebbw now lads.”
Ebbw Vale RFC were now the fourth Gwent counterpart in the premiership joining Newport RFC, Bedwas RFC and Cross Keys RFC. The season kicked off at home against Llandovery RFC who Ebbw surprisingly beat 30-29. It was a great season and one for all to remember. Memorable victories include 34-20 away to Cross keys, 51-0 away to Llanelli and the semi-final of the play-offs which Ebbw won 27-17 at home in front of a large vocal crowd in the all Gwent derby against Cross Keys.
The play-off final was down at Sardis Road, the ”house of pain” as its known as. 4500 approx. filled the ground for what an entertaining game and one which had its ups for the Ebbw fans who sadly saw their side fall 28-14 to the reigning three time champions Pontypridd. Deservedly so it must be said. This would see head coach Jason Strange coach his final game before moving on the Welsh U20s in which he took a grand slam in his first yr in charge.
Ebbw Vale RFC were not disappointed in the season as a whole however in which they defied all odds to finish runner-up in their first campaign back in the big league.
The 2015/16 season kicked off away to Bridgend, a match which saw them win 20-8 under the new six point try laws. (first six point try was scored by Pontypridd’s Alex Webber if interested). After a good run of wins, the Steelmen were well and truly beaten by Llandovery, 50-0 up at Church Bank and many neutral onlookers did not believe this was going to Ebbw of last season.
Llandovery again knocked Ebbw out of the cup and so it was down to the league to save their season. They needed a win over Aberavon in the last game of the season to guarantee their play-off spot for a second consecutive year after an immense run of 10 games unbeaten mid-season had saved their hopes. Ebbw vale came away from the Aberavon game 32-30 victors and would travel to Llandovery once again to have another chance of reaching Sardis Road and the play-off final.
The Steelmen were in good form and their supporters, loyal as ever in good voice. They outplayed the ”Drovers” in most departments and partially thanks to stunning hands via Dan Haymond to set up Jared Rosser for a try, they were marching on to Ponty as 20-16 winners.
The sun was out in force as were the supporters. The scene was set and Ponty got the first upper hand. Ebbw’s defence held out superbly and eventually the visitors got a grip on the game and after huge dominance saw themselves fight to a 38-12 victory. A well deserved trip and as the Ebbw army swamped the pitch celebrations began and continued long into the night back up at Eugene Cross.
To go from relegated to champions of the Premiership in just six years is some feat, and one that will be remembered in the folklore of Welsh rugby forever.
Main Photo
