WITH just one victory under their belts so far this season, Ebbw Vale must have viewed this visit to undefeated Cardiff with some trepidation, writes Peter Hughes.

But although the result was in doubt until the final whistle, it was a deserved victory that the Steelmen took and one which received the unqualified approval of a strong contingent of travelling fans.

It was the home side that took an early lead after Vale fumbled the kick off and conceded a penalty from the resulting scrum.

Cardiff returned the favour from the restart, however, with Ebbw Vale opting to kick for touch and use the power of their pack to set up a try for No 8 Cameron Regan.

The frenetic early pace of the game continued with full back Llywarch ap Myrddin hitting straight back with a try for the hosts.

Cardiff found themselves down to 14 players midway through the half when wing Pat Lewis saw yellow for a tip tackle. Despite that, they came close to scoring a second try in the 28th minute, breaking out from their own 22, only for centre Owen Lane to just lose out in a race with the ball to the line.

Vale finally managed to capitalise on their man advantage shortly before the yellow card period ended with scrum half Carl Lewis claiming his side’s second try.

Two more yellow cards were shown shortly afterwards with a second row from each side dispatched to the bin following a flare up between the packs.

The only other points in the half came from a penalty by Ebbw Vale outside half Lewis Dennet which made the score at the interval 17 – 8 to the visitors.

The second half was a slightly more subdued affair with an early try for Cardiff offset by two more penalties for Dennet.

An Ebbw Vale try scored by wing Srdan Majkic was quickly followed by one for Cardiff centre William Rees- Hole, while a penalty for the hosts brought them to within a single score of the Steelmen.

However, the Ebbw Vale defence was up to the task of holding out for their second win of the season.

Cardiff: Ll ap Myrddin; P Lewis(J Phillips 59), O Lane, W Rees-Hole, C Young, B Thomas (M Hale 55), R Cole, R Carre (R Lewis 59), I Jenkins, T Mably (K Dowding 40), B White (R Spriggs 62), C Tucker (K Smith 40), R Tucker (T Wilson 59), L Crocker (capt), S Bennett.

Scorers: Tries: Ll ap Myrddin, B White, W Rees-Hole; Pen: B Thomas, G Thompson; Con: B Thomas, G Thompson.

Ebbw Vale: D Haymond; S Majkic, D Franchi, D Langdon, T Fricker, L Dennet, C Lewis (D Jones 54), J Harries (R Jones 50), J Franchi (M Williams 70), R Sevenoaks (J James 59), K Parker, L Randall (R Francis 70), R Kynes (capt), O Jones (J James 50), C Regan.

Scorers: Tries: C Regan, C Lewis, S Majkic; Cons: L Dennet (3); Pen L Dennet (3)

Referee: Mr M English (WRU)

Ebbw Vale Man off the Match: Joe Franchi