EBBW Vale put in an outstanding second-half performance in the first match of the second stage of the Welsh Premiership to overwhelm Llanelli at Eugene Cross Park, writes Ian Golden.

After a scrappy opening where both sides were still acclimatising to the muddy surface, Ebbw opened the scoring when Dorian Jones easily kicked a 14th minute penalty goal.

Just a try-saving tackle from Llanelli’s Matthew Jenkins prevented Ebbw from adding to their lead.

Instead it was Llanelli who posted the opening try after Ryan Davies leapt on a pin-perfect Steffan Hughes grubber kick. Lewis Williams converted well before kicking a drop goal three minutes before the interval.

Ebbw immediately addressed the balance after Jones landed a 55-metre penalty but the visitors were still 10-6 up at the break.

The Steelmen came storming out of the blocks in the second half and it took them less than 30 seconds to get their first try of the game, Stefan Thomas sprinting down the wing. Jones converted well before adding another long range penalty on 44 minutes and another four minutes later to click the score up to 19-10.

They increased their lead further after Ronny Kynes went over from a rolling maul and Jones converted.

Cameron Regan soon followed him over, scoring in the corner with Jones superbly converting again despite slipping when kicking for goal, adding another penalty two minutes later to make the score 36-10.

With 20 minutes remaining and the game won, Ebbw were now hungry for the bonus point but it was Llanelli who were next on the board when Jack Condy dived over in the corner for an unconverted try.

Winning a late penalty 10 metres from the try line, Ebbw finally secured that bonus point in the form of a last minute penalty try.

There was still time for Llanelli to launch a final attack and they kept possession for nearly five minutes, looking for further consolation. But finally the referee blew for an Ebbw Vale penalty putting an end to proceedings.

Ebbw Vale: D Haymond (L Dennet 75); S Thomas, D Franchi, D Langdon, E Wyn Benham (S Majkic 68), Dorian Jones, David Jones (C Morris 68); R Jones (G Ellis 47), R Francis (J Franchi 67), R Sevenoaks (J James 67), L Randall (K Parker 52), R Clarke, C Regan, R Kynes, L Young (M Williams 75)

Scorers: Tries: S Thomas, C Regan, R Kynes, Penalty. Conversions: D Jones 3, Penalties D Jones 5

Llanelli: J Newman (L Randall 54); M Jenkins, R Davies (B Atkins 51), S Hughes, R Conbeer (K Griffiths 70), L Williams, G George; R Fawcett (D Phillips 74), C Thomas (B Edwards 68), R Bassett (R Thomas 58), C Long, A Hyndman (B Morgan 58), L Pike (E Thomas 51), N Hart, J Condy

Scorers: Tries: R Davies, J Condy. Conversions: L Williams; dropped goal : Williams

Argus Star man : Dorian Jones (Ebbw Vale)