EBBW Vale brought their recent losing run to a halt as they made it four wins in a row over the north Walians, writes Rob Cole.

It was back-to-back triumphs in Colwyn Bay for the Steelmen as they came from behind to stun the home side, who opened their campaign with victories over Merthyr and Pontypridd at Parc Eirias.

Ebbw Vale head coach Greg Woods had told his players he didn’t want to be in a scrap for survival at the wrong end of the table after suffering four league defeats in a row and five in all competitions.

They got off to a dream start with a try after only two minutes, but then found themselves trailing 20-15 at the break.

But a brilliant second half performance, in which the back row of Rhys Francis, Dawid Rubasniak and Lewis Young were outstanding at the breakdown, saw them home with something to spare in the end.

As has so often been the case this season, full back Dan Haymond stole the show with his goalkicking, landing two conversions and four penalties to end the game with a vital 16 points.

To make it an even better result, bottom of the table Bridgend were beaten at Carmarthen Quins and so the Steelmen are now six points clear of the sole relegation spot this season, although the Ravens do have a game in hand.

The Steelmen headed north with the bare 21 players, but they all answered their coach’s plea for maximum effort. With a week off ahead of them before vital home games against Swansea and Bridgend, they will have enjoyed their long trip home.

Dan Babos grabbed the opening try as he won a long kick and chase in the opening minutes. Haymond converted and Ebbw were off to a flying start.

Prop Morgan Davies then saw yellow as he hauled down an RGC driving line-out and from the ensuing scrum home No 8 Tim Grey drove over for a try that Billy McBryde improved to level the scores.

The first of Haymond’s penalties edged the visitors back in front before RGC constructed the best try of the game. McBryde chipped over the top after a scrum on half way, skipper Tom Hughes regathered and he sent Rhys Tudor over for a try that McBryde again converted.

The home outside half added a penalty to extend the lead, but Ewan Rosser hauled the Steelmen right back into things as he raced onto a kick ahead and scored. Another McBryde penalty made it 20-15 at the break.

McBryde missed one and then hit the mark with another to make it 23-15 at the start of the second half, but from there on in it was Ebbw who dominated. The outstanding Francis went over from the tail of a line-out for Haymond to add the extras, and then Haymond added three penalties to make victory safe.

RGC 1404: Dion Jones, Afon Bagshaw, Tom Hughes (captain), Delwyn Jones, Rhys Tudor, Billy McBryde, Efan Jones, Joe Simpson, George Roberts, Jordan Scott, Bryn Jones, Robin Williams, Andrew Williams, Dan Owen, Tim Grey

Reps: Rhodri King, Will Sanderson, Rhys Roberts, Jordan Jones, Will Bryan, Nick Butterworth, Sam Rogers, Rhys Williams

Scorers: RGC: Tries: T Grey, R Tudor; Cons: B McBryde 2; Pens: B McBryde 3.

Ebbw Vale: Dan Haymond, Dafydd Thomas, Paul King, Dom Franchi, Ewan Rosser, Dai Langdon, Dan Babos, Ross Jones, Joe Franchi, Morgan Davies, Lance Randall, Ashley Sweet (captain), Rhys Francis, Dawid Rubasniak, Lewis Young

Reps: Dave Whiting, Will Griffiths, Luke Garrett, Dan Hill, Harry Harding, Max Ayling, Matthew Flanagan, Ethan Phillips

Scorers: Tries: D Babos, E Rosser, R Francis; Cons: D Haymond 2; Pens: D Haymond 4