EBBW Vale will play Premiership rugby next season but with a tinge of frustration at being denied the chance to secure their own top-flight status.

The Welsh Rugby Union's decision to cancel their competitions not only impacted the top of the league, where Cardiff were looking good for the title, but the bottom.

The Steelmen had been in a scrap with Bridgend at the basement, tussling to avoid being the team that swapped places with the winners of the Championship, which was set to be either Pontypool or Bridgend.

Ebbw started the campaign knowing that they would be in a dogfight but they had put themselves on the brink of safety.

Since the turn of the year they were edged out by champions Merthyr, drew at Llandovery and Carmarthen Quins and earned precious wins against Pontypridd and RGC at Eugene Cross Park.

They had a eight-point lead and a game in hand over Bridgend, who only had four fixtures to go and would have needed to win when the side met at the Brewery Field.

South Wales Argus:

"We felt that we had turned the tide," said Ebbw head coach Greg Woods. "We'd had a decent squad post-Christmas and had enjoyed some positive results.

"We had built some momentum with the draws in Carmarthen and Llandovery and beating Pontypridd and RGC.

"Our aim from the start of the season was always just to stay in the Premiership. We knew what our goal was and were on track.

"If we had beaten Swansea or Bridgend in December then we probably would have been home and dry but we were in a strong position.

"We were confident of finishing it off and we were also looking forward to the competition against Scottish teams, but it can't be helped and the squad will be the same next season and ready for a new challenge."

Ebbw's change of form was helped by some shrewd winter recruitment with fly-half Rhys Jones returning and wingers Mike Powell and Aaron Grabham joining along with utility back Ryan Evans and lock Corey Talbot.

South Wales Argus:

"We got more numbers in. We were a bit light and some of the Dragons allocations didn't work out as planned," said Woods.

"We had to go and recruit and that gave us a boost. It was always going to be a bit of a transition year and now we are in a better place."

Ebbw finished 11th of 12 but still enjoyed some highs with the pick their November win in Colwyn Bay.

"The win against RGC was the highlight," said Woods. "Our squad was decimated and had been embarrassed on telly in the cup game against Cardiff but they showed what they can do.

"We've had a core group that have gone through a lot this season but they've had experience of the Premiership now and that's a real positive for next year."

And what about 2020/21, will Ebbw head into it with bigger aspirations? Woods has never been one for getting carried away in a tight league.

"It's safety first," he said. "Apart from the Cardiff cup game we were pretty competitive but with these 12 teams it is a hard league.

"It's very competitive and about the small margins. We will be more settled next season and I'd like to think we will be in a better place, but we need to start better."

They will be aim to do so with a new captain - hooker Joe Franchi is replacing Ebbw great Ashley Sweet, who is dropping out of the Premiership for a new challenge.

Tomorrow: The first of the Championship clubs