EBBW Vale kept up their impressive four-month unbeaten record at Eugene Cross Park with this victory over Swansea, writes Paul Hopkins.

The home side were awarded an early penalty after Swansea failed to release the man after the tackle. Lewis Dennet kicked his side ahead.

A similar offence by the Whites’ defence gifted Dennet another penalty goal following good work by the Ebbw pack.

A powerful scrum by the Steelmen drove their Swansea counterparts backwards at a rate of knots. Dennet completed a hat trick of penalties inside the opening ten minutes.

A superb break through the middle by Toby Fricker stretched the visitors’ defence and the supporting Dom Franchi threw a scoring pass to Dan Haymond, who touched down in the corner. Dennet converted.

A powerful maul from the twenty-two was brought down illegally by the Whites’ pack and the home side opted for a five-metre scrum. From the set piece Ebbw got the ball out to Haymond, who stepped inside a tackle to score. Dennet converted.

Steffan Jones made a barnstorming run down the wing after taking a high ball as Swansea looked to hit back, but an impressive Ebbw defence meant Walters was forced to kick for territory.

The lineout by Joe Franchi was poor and Tom Ball collected a loose ball, forcing the home side offside. Luke Griffiths kicked the penalty goal.

The Ebbw Vale forwards stayed patient to go through multiple phases, before Steff Thomas made a break on the wing and Joe Franchi spotted a gap in a tired Swansea defence to score under the posts. Dennet converted.

A monster hit by Dom Franchi dumped Walters on the ground, earning a penalty and ending a period of Swansea pressure.

The home side earned a bonus point when Fricker took a long pass on the wing, leaving his opposite number for dead. Dennet missed the conversion.

A powerful scrum by the home pack gave Dennet another penalty chance and he rubbed salt in the visitors’ wounds with another three pointer.

Another creative move by the Ebbw backs resulted in a try for Jon Davies out wide. Dennet missed the conversion.

In the dying moments a dangerous tip tackle by Tom Ham saw him handed a red card, and Joe Franchi was also given a yellow card for his part in the ensuing fight. Dennet missed the penalty goal, but his side were able to see out an impressive win.

Ebbw Vale: D Haymond (C Hall 67); S Thomas, J Lewis, D Franchi (S Majkic 50), T Fricker; L Dennet, S Ireland; J Harries (J Rogers 67), J Franchi, R Sevenoaks (C Hicks 58), K Parker, L Randall (J Davies 62), R Clarke (D Jones 71), R Kynes (R Francis 56), L Young (C Regan 50).

Scorers: Tries: D Haymond (2), J Franchi, T Fricker, J Davies; Cons: L Dennet (3); Pens: L Dennet (4)

Swansea: L Griffiths, A Claypole, R Fussell, R Williams, D Howells (O Howe 73); G Walters (J Randall 50), R Wells (T Ham 61); R Murphy (J Powell 59), T Ball (Si Jones 54), F Holder (C Ackland 50), S Kiley (J Williams 47), M Dodd, J Vaughan, B Davies, St Jones (J Fox 47).

Scorer – Pen: L Griffiths

Ebbw Vale star man: Lewis Dennet