Ebbw Vale 17 – 8 Bargoed
Friday November 25 2016, Ebbw Vale
Bargoed remain one point off the bottom of the Principality Premiership table after falling at the last hurdle in defeat to reigning champions Ebbw Vale.
In a re-run of last week’s 17-5 loss to Bedwas, Bargoed were in the game until the dying minutes, as a late penalty try in the 80th minute put the gloss on a scoreline which the Steelmen were happy to take.
In freezing conditions at Eugene Cross Park, Ebbw Vale started in ominous fashion by piling on early pressure. It looked like Bargoed could get blown away, but stout defending and cool heads allowed them to weather the storm.
The home side maintained their intensity and capitalised on loose Bargoed play to take the lead 15 minutes in.
A long, floated pass in midfield had the Bargoed supporters shaking their heads, and a repeat play moments later was intercepted 60 metres out, leaving winger Chris Levesy free to cross for the opening score. Dai Langdon added the conversion with ease.
The match was briefly stopped after Bargoed second-row Gavin McDonnell put in a big hit on former Scarlets No8, Rory Pitman. Both players stayed down and were eventually forced from the field with their injuries.
As the clock reached the half hour mark, Bargoed fly-half Greg Callow put a penalty to within 15 metres of the Steelmen’s try-line. Ebbw Vale nicked the resulting lineout, but a poor clearance gave the Bulls a second bite. After driving infield, the ball was released to hooker Leigh Meades, who slipped a pass to Dai Evans.
The winger still had much to do, but he cleverly spun in the tackle, and finished in the corner for an unconverted try.
However, Bargoed elation will have turned to frustration when a silly penalty at a ruck straight in front of the posts gave Langdon an easy shot at three points from 30 metres out. The score rolled over to 10-5 at the break.
Bargoed seized the initiative from the start of the second half, and were rewarded when full-back James Hallet slotted a penalty after five minutes.
The Bulls had been having a difficult time at the scrum but they began to turn the tide as referee Rhys Thomas began to penalise the Ebbw front-row, much to the annoyance of the home crowd.
The Steelmen had several chances to extend their lead with kickable penalties but chose to chance their luck with driving lineouts, which a resilient Bargoed side drove back.
However, territory and possession was beginning to favour the home side, and the penalty count rose against Bargoed. Three minutes from time, the referee’s patience ran out, and both lock Rhys Verney and flanker Alex Herbert were sent to the sin-bin within seconds of each other.
With the Bargoed pack down to six, Ebbw Vale called another scrum and, without resistance, was brought down.
The referee had no choice but to award the home side a telling penalty try with the clock in stoppage time. Langdon completed his conversion, and the match ended 17-8.
• Match report by Peter Greening of Bargoed RFC.