Ebbw Vale will return to the Super Rygbi Cymru Trophy final to take another shot at winning the title after a dramatic, last-gasp 18-14 revenge win over arch-rivals Newport.
They left it late, did it the hard way, but still had enough to emerge triumphant to set up a second successive home final. Last year Newport took the spoils, while this time it will be Llandovery who will be their opponents after they turned the tables on Cardiff at the Arms Park.
Having come into the game as reigning champions, as well as SRC Cup and Challenger Shield holders, all the momentum was with the Black & Ambers. They had beaten Ebbw Vale in the final at Eugene Cross Park in last year’s final and turned them over twice in this season’s league.
Jason Strange’s side had been hit by a stream of injuries and came into the play-offs with four defeats in their last five games. They even had to request to draft in Bridgend hooker Corey Lewis due to an injury to skipper Joe Franchi and the unavailability of leading try scorer Ieuan Morris.
Everything started well for Newport with lock Josh Skinner converting a driving line-out moments after Ebbw had been reduced to 14 men through a yellow card for their Canadian international flanker Sion Parry. Parry went on to be crowned the player of the match.
Jac Lloyd added the conversion, and it was first blood to the visitors in another rip-roaring Gwent derby. Slowly, but surely, the power of the Ebbw pack began to exert its influence, and it looked as though Lewis had hit back with a close range try just before the half-hour mark.
The try was awarded, but the TMO pointed out a knock on by scrum half Jon Evans at the base of the ruck on the Newport line and it was ruled out. Newport lost Harri Ackerman to a yellow card at the same time and moments later his opposite number in the centre Ethan Phillips dropped the ball with the line at his mercy.
That meant Newport reached the break with a 7-0 lead – and an extra player after Alf Bateman-Lloyd was sent to the sin-bin for lifting the leg of a player at a ruck in the final play of the half.
Unperturbed by the loss of a player, Ebbw struck eight minutes into the second half after Newport conceded back-to-back penalties. Evan Lloyd kicked into the corner and after hitting his line out target, this time Lewis was able to bag the try.
That cut the gap to two points and just before the hour Lloyd kicked a penalty to edge his side into the lead. Newport then lost Skinner to a yellow as they fell further behind to a second Evan Lloyd penalty and then Lewis followed him for Ebbw.
That gave Newport the chance to regain the lead in the 74th minute. Harrison James made the break in midfield that breached the Ebbw defence before passing to Fin Baker for a try that Jac Llo9yd converted off the touchline.
That made it 14-11 to Newport and left them with five minutes to see out to reach another final. The dram went right to the death as Ebbw shunned a penalty that could have tied the scores and sent the game into extra-time in favour of a kick into the corner.
Still down to 14 men and without a hooker on the field, head coach Strange took off a wing and threw Wales U20 international James Talamai into the cauldron to take the vital throw-in with the clock showing 78 minutes.
He hit his man, regathered the tap down and so helped to set-up the drive for the line. Newport held the Ebbw forwards on their line before the ball was spun to outside half Evan Lloyd who kicked right to left across the field.
Full back Dylan Edwards caught the ball on the full, rode the tackle and crossed the line for the try that put Ebbw back in front. Evan Lloyd’s superb touchline conversion made it 18-14 with just enough time for the re-start.
Jac Lloyd’s kick-off failed to go the full 10 metres and that was the4 last act of an extraordinary contest. The champions were beaten – on Sunday, 10 May at Eugene Cross Park (4.20pm) we’ll discover who follows them.
Scorers: Ebbw Vale: Try: Corey Lewis, Dylan Edwards; Con: Evan Lloyd; Pens: Evan Lloyd 2. Newport: Tries: Josh Skinner, Fin Baker; Cons: Jac Lloyd 2