Ebbw Vale were 21-5 down at half-time before a remarkable fightback in the secod period
It proved to be lucky 13 for Ebbw Vale as they produced a stunning second half comeback against Llandovery to reach the Super Rygbi Cymru final with a 29-28 win.
In what was the proverbial game of two halves at Eugene Cross Park, Llandovery led this semi-final 21-5 at half time thanks to three first half tries, with Ebbw’s own indiscipline costing them. Join WalesOnline Rugby’s WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free
But the second half belonged to Ebbw as they overturned that 16-point deficit with three tries of their own after the break to stun the Drovers.
It was the Steelmen’s 13th victory from as many games on home soil this season and their third win over Llandovery of the campaign, while also avenging their SRC Cup final loss at Church Bank in March.
The reward for Jason Strange’s men is a clash with the winner of tomorrow’s other semi. Ebbw will either head to Cardiff or host Newport next weekend.
Meanwhile there won’t be another final appearance for last season’s Premiership league and cup double winners Llandovery, who had started so well here – racing into a 14-0 lead after 12 minutes.
Straight on the front foot, they scored the opening try six minutes in; second row Morgan Jones rose to take the lineout, outside half Ioan Hughes played a delightful dink over the top with inside centre Rhodri Jones seized on it to score. Hughes converted.
Having made a fast start, the Drovers were over again six minutes later. It was scored by skipper Lee Rees but created by full-back Jac Davies, as he took Adam Warren’s pass and jinked through before sending scrum-half Rees over, Hughes again took care of the extras.
Already up against it, Ebbw played for half of the first period with 14 men. Right wing Ieuan Evans was sent to the sin-bin for 10 minutes for a deliberate knock on and no sooner had he returned, back-rower Jack Pope was then shown a yellow card for an illegal use of the boot.
Despite that and crucially, they still managed to get themselves back into it with a breakaway try on 32 minutes; Evan Lloyd intercepted inside his own half before sending left wing Ryan Gardner in with a perfectly weighted pass – and he found the acceleration to race through to the line. Lloyd pulled a difficult conversion wide of the sticks.
But Llandovery pressed home their advantage with try number three right on half time and it came through another bit of individual brilliance from Davies as this time provider turned scorer.
Davies collected the ball on halfway and darted through to score with five Llandovery players unable to get near him. Hughes converted.
Ebbw, who recovered from 10 points down to win their quarter-final against Carmarthen Quins, would have to do so again – and they came back out full of intent.
The hosts piled the pressure on Llandovery early in the second half and, after giving away a succession of penalties and having received a warning from referee Ben Whitehouse, skipper Rees was sent to the sin-bin after 46 minutes.
Four minutes later, Ebbw capitalised as their forward pressure finally told with full-back Morgan Richards finishing off after good work from scrum-half Gruff Tough and Lloyd converting.
Rees returned but Lloyd kicked Ebbw back to within one score on the hour.
Now 21-15 ahead, Hughes then chose not to kick for goal when presented with a penalty and they might have been left to rue that decision as on 68 minutes Ebbw snatched the lead for the first time.
It came from a bit of brilliance outside centre Ethan Phillips who kicked ahead, then got there before two Llandovery players, chipped the ball beyond them and took the ball on the bounce to go over. Lloyd’s conversion made it 22-21 to complete the turnaround.
Llandovery were stunned and the decisive moment came on 73 minutes when Ebbw scored again when replacement hooker Ieuan Morris drove over after a dominant rolling maul. Lloyd’s conversion was good.
To add to the drama, Ebbw would finish the game with 14 men when Gardner was shown a yellow but the Steelmen, who lost in two semi-finals last season including one at the hands of the Drovers, were in no mood to surrender.
Harri Doel scored again for Llandovery with the final play but it was ultimately scant consolation.
Scorers:
Ebbw Vale: Tries: R Gardner, M Richards, E Phillips, I Morris; Cons: E Lloyd (3); Pen: E Lloyd
Llandovery: Tries: R Jones, L Rees, J Davies, H Doel; Cons: I Hughes (3), J Maynard
