Team: Ebbw Vale
Position: 11th
The 2015/16 champions suffered a disappointing campaign this term, finishing in 11th place, 8 points above bottom place Bridgend. Wins were few and far between for the Steelmen who only managed 4 league victories overall and only one away. With the likes of influential captain Ronny Kynes and Wales 7’s star Lloyd Evans departing, along with a host of others, this season was always going to be a transitional season for Ebbw. Greg Woods’ side began their campaign with a defeat to Gwent rivals Newport on the opening day before a 39-17 win to National Championship’s Narberth in the Specsavers Cup. Ebbw’s first league victory came at Eugene Cross Park against Llandovery in October. Before 4 league defeats on the bounce. In this time they were also emphatically knocked out of the Specsavers Cup to league high-flyers Cardiff at Cardiff Arms Park 78-12.
In November Ebbw grabbed their only away win of the season in Colwyn Bay against RGC, before another underwhelming string of 4 defeats, including a home loss to fellow strugglers Bridgend Ravens. Ebbw’s fortunes had somewhat of an upward turn after the turn of the year, although still a far way off the dizzying heights of recent seasons. In January they managed a draw against Llandovery and a victory over Pontypridd and in February managed a draw against Camarthen Quins in extremely tough conditions due to Storm Dennis and a second win over North Walians RGC, a game Woods admitted “would live long in the memory”. Before games were halted by the WRU due to the coronavirus update. Ebbw will be relieved by the suspension of games as they were still in danger of relegation.
There is no doubt Greg Woods will be disappointed with his teams results this year, but Ebbw must now focus on building for next years premiership. There is still a terrific depth of quality in Ebbw’s ranks, not least former Dragons’ Rhys Jones and Steelmen’s skipper Ashley Sweet. Ebbw backrower Dawid Rubasniak also gained full international honours for Poland this term.
Boss Woods remained optimistic about how Ebbw will fare next season and stressed his satisfaction with the fight and desire from his players despite a challenging season. “The effort and work rate of the squad throughout the season was remarkable” he said, as he praised the commitment of his squad. Woods is confident the challenges faced by his squad this season will stand them in good stead heading into next term highlighting ‘having a settled squad’ as a key difference.
Experienced back Dan Haymond echoed Woods’ words as he praised Ebbw’s ‘tight’ squad and was adamant we will see a different Ebbw next year. “We will be a different force next season” he said, on the back of complimenting Ebbw’s ‘upward curve’.
The Steelmen will be itching to start next campaign eager to prove people wrong and show the rest of the premiership what they are made of. One thing is sure, travelling to Eugene Cross Park on the opening day won’t be a dream draw!
Credit: South Wales Argus
Haydn Evans 