Latest news with #Ebbw
South Wales Argus
11-07-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Dorian Jones joins Ebbw Vale as player-coach after MLR exit
The 33-year-old will be player/coach for the Steelmen in the coming season, combining pulling the strings with being part of Jason Strange's management team. Jones will provide Ebbw, who have been guided around the park expertly by Evan Lloyd in recent years, with plenty of experience. The fly-half earned a chance with the Dragons after shining for the Steelmen and Cross Keys, going on to make 66 appearances for the Rodney Parade club. Jones, a member of the XV that stunned Gloucester in the 2016 Challenge Cup quarter-finals, had a spell on loan at Worcester and then left in 2018 to test himself in France. After playing for Soyaux Angouleme, Nice, Carcassonne and Agen, the fly-half moved to New Orleans Gold in 2024. Dorian had two campaigns in Major League Rugby but is now returning to Eugene Cross Park, where his grandfather Phil Kingsley Jones, father Kingsley and brother Rhys have also played. RETURN: Former Dragons fly-half Dorian Jones has signed as player-coach at Ebbw Vale 'I'm thrilled to be returning to my hometown and to the club where my senior rugby journey began,' said the prolific kicker. 'I have had the privilege of representing the club at every age group since joining at the age of six. 'I'm incredibly grateful to everyone at the club for the opportunity to return not only as a player but also to begin my coaching career. 'I'm looking forward to working with both familiar faces and new ones as we move onto the 2025/26 season.' FORWARD'S HOMECOMING Ebbw have also announced the signing of lock/flanker Rhys Anstey from Coventry. The 6ft 6ins forward played for Gwernyfed before joining Cardiff's academy and was part of the makeshift side that took on Toulouse and Harlequins in December 2021 when Covid quarantine and injury left the Blue and Blacks down to the bare bones. Anstey signed for Ealing Trailfinders in 2023 and then switched to Coventry in England's Championship last season but the 23-year-old is now returning to Wales to bolster the Steelmen's pack. Ebbw will defend the SRC Challenger Shield when they get their season under way against Aberavon on September 13. Strange's men came agonisingly close to winning silverware twice in 2024/25 but lost the SRC Cup final at Llandovery and then suffered a first home loss of the campaign to Gwent rivals Newport in the grand final.
South Wales Argus
05-07-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
SRC: Joe Franchi to captain Ebbw Vale in bid for silverware
Ebbw had a strong campaign in which they lost the Super Rygbi Cymru final to Newport and the SRC Cup final to Llandovery. They will hope to use those experiences to win silverware in the coming campaign and if they do then hooker Franchi will lift it aloft. Head coach Jason Strange has confirmed that the stalwart will continue as club captain. 'It goes without saying it's a huge honour to captain my hometown club for another year," said Franchi. "The boys were a pleasure to captain last year, and our togetherness showed with us reaching two finals and keeping the SRC Shield for practically the whole season. "We've managed to retain a lot of the players from last season and I know 'Chippy' [Strange] has already started to strengthen us in key positions, which is very exciting for the coming season. I'm looking forward to getting back to work with the boys.' Franchi, whose twin Dom plays in midfield for the club, passed 200 Ebbw appearances last season. The hooker went over for a remarkable 25 tries and his exploits around the park led to him being named as the Clive Burgess Man of Steel and the Ebbw Addicts player of the year. Ebbw will defend the SRC Challenger Shield in the coming campaign after claiming it at Llandovery last October and then holding onto it throughout the regular season. The Steelmen host Aberavon on the first weekend of the season on September 14 and then head to Cardiff for an early cracker. That is followed by back-to-back games with Llandovery in a testing first month of the campaign.
South Wales Argus
18-05-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Newport win Super Rygbi Cymru after beating Ebbw Vale 27-18
The Black and Ambers became the first team to beat the Steelmen at Eugene Cross Park in 2024/25 to win the title for the first time since 2004. Tries by scrum-half Dafydd Buckland, impressive fly-half Jac Lloyd and full-back Carwyn Penny earned the spoils, and they were good value for it against a resilient, proud and determined Ebbw who kept fighting until the final whistle. It was a fitting end to their anniversary year with the added sentiment of paying tribute to Brian Jones, 'Mr Newport', who died last month. Added to the script, Black and Ambers hall of famers Elliot Frewen and Rhys Jenkins pulled on the famous jersey for the last time in this final. It was Newport's day after they suffered Premiership final anguish 12 months earlier and Ebbw Vale will hope to follow their lead in 2026. The Steelmen will be hurting after coming up short in a terrific campaign that featured 13 wins on home soil. Newport's title triumph was a long time in the making and featured two near misses, so Jason Strange will urge Ebbw to just keep on building. PACKED: The crowd at Eugene Cross Park (Image: Gareth Everett) Both sides made a nervy start with Ebbw keen to make the most of the wind at their backs – at least it was initially on a sunny but blustery afternoon – as they attacked the clubhouse end. The Steelmen were carrying hard and got reward for their early pressure when Evan Lloyd knocked over a penalty in the ninth minute. The hosts tried to extend their lead through their trusty lineout drive but Newport held firm and forced an error from the resulting carries. They got the reward for that when Jac Lloyd levelled from the tee in the 20th minute and the visitors then built up a head of steam. Newport had lost flanker Kyle Tayler to an early injury and then Ebbw saw captain and hooker Joe Franchi limp off, a blow that was swiftly followed by the opening try in the 29th minute. The Black and Ambers did a quick 'one-two' at the front of a lineout in the 22, hammered away and then scrum-half Dafydd Buckland spotted a gap and dotted down. Lloyd converted but then, after a rapid attack from a quick tap, failed to judge the wind with a penalty and it remained 10-3 as half-time approached. CHARGE: Ethan Phillips carries hard for Ebbw Vale against Newport (Image: Gareth Everett) Ebbw's Lloyd got a long but central effort spot-on to make it 10-6 but Newport got a huge score with the final play of the half. They worked space down the left and David Richards, with two strong carries, got them within inches. Arguably they made hard work of it – and Ebbw must've been close to winning a penalty after trying to get over the ball – but eventually the fleet-footed Lloyd danced over and converted himself for a 17-6 lead. Ebbw had turned around a 21-5 deficit against Llandovery in the semis and a huge line break by Ryan Jenkins got them hunting a response five minutes after the restart only for the attack to be ended by a knock on in the 22. No bother, an almighty scrum earned them another crack and scrum-half Gruff Tough's cross-kick was gathered by Ewan Bowden for a try down the left that made it 17-11, with Evan Lloyd failing with the touchline conversion. However, the Newport response was immediate with full-back Carwyn Penny gathering a boomed clearance, chipping over the top and then benefiting from a nasty bounce and hesitation to gather, just about stay up and dive over down the right. Jac Lloyd's conversion was a peach and the visitors had stretched their lead to 24-11 with half an hour to go. Yet back came Ebbw courtesy of a nightmare moment for wing Iestyn Galton, who tried to force an offload after being too casual in his 22. The loose ball was snaffled by the hosts and lock Curtis Gregory went over from close range, Evan Lloyd making it a seven-pointer. It was manic stuff and Newport were able to stretch a score clear on the hour through the boot of Jac Lloyd, 27-18 their lead. The Black and Ambers thought they had their clincher when a hack ahead led to Jac Lloyd flicking the ball to Galton, who went under the sticks. However, TMO footage – in play for the final – showed it had gone forward. That was followed by shanked, ambitious long penalty effort by the Newport fly-half as it remained nip and tuck. The clock was not Ebbw's friend and the Black and Ambers knew the importance of good discipline to keep the home side out of their 22 as the game entered the final 10 minutes. However, a scrum penalty and then an offside led to the Steelmen having a shot at a five-metre lineout with 73 gone. That led to influential lock Josh Skinner seeing yellow after the first attempt was illegally stopped, then ref Ben Breakspear gave another penalty that was sent to the corner. Newport held up Ebbw over the line and dissent led to a penalty rather than a drop out. The Steelmen kept coming but this, finally, was to be a black and amber afternoon. Ebbw scorers: tries – Bowden, Gregory; conversion – E Lloyd; penalties – E Lloyd (2). Newport scorers: tries – Buckland, J Lloyd, Penny; conversions – J Lloyd (3); penalties – J Lloyd (2). Referee: Ben Breakspear (WRU).
South Wales Argus
17-05-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Franchi and Roach eye SRC final glory with Ebbw and Newport
Ebbw Vale and Newport battle for the title at Eugene Cross Park tomorrow (kick-off 2.30pm) and it's fair to assume the skippers will have a big say in which Gwent club will be celebrating long into the night. Hooker Franchi has already won the big prize once after being a member of the 2016 Premiership-winning squad and has been a major figure in the Steelmen's successful campaign. The front rower will finish as the league's top try scorer after crossing 20 times in the league (plus five more times in the SRC Cup). The 31-year-old made his first Ebbw outing as an 18-year-old and hit 200 appearances for the club in March. His experience was important when the Steelmen went 21-5 down on the stroke of half-time in their home semi-final against Llandovery. KEEPING COOL: Ebbw's Joe Franchi during the win against Llandovery (Image: Ian WIlliams/Huw Evans Agency) 'We were behind the posts and I said to the boys that we were comfy in phase play,' said Franchi, a key figure along with his twin, centre Dom. 'We weren't concerned because it wasn't like we were leaking badly. We knew that we could stick in there, get our set piece going and cause them problems, which happened.' Ebbw, who ran out 29-28 winners, have built that confidence thanks to a perfect season so far on home soil. That 13-game record helped them to finish second in the league with the prospect of a home final if top seeds Cardiff were beaten by Newport. A few of the Ebbw squad went to the Arms Park to watch and provide updates for their teammates, ultimately delivering the news that they would be playing for the title at Eugene Cross Park. 'The big games come down to small margins,' said Franchi. 'Playing at home can make a massive difference because the one per centers add up. 'We really pushed to finish in the top two from the start of the season and we achieved that, which has earned us this chance. 'The excitement has been building as the week has progressed but we can't afford to play the occasion. 'We want to stick to our regular game plan and keep to the same processes, because that has worked all season with us being unbeaten at home. 'We know that this will be an 80-minute game because Newport are a good side who can play tight, 10-man rugby or spin it wide. I am sure they will have some trick plays and we need to be ready for anything.' One thing is for certain, Roach will be in the thick of it for the Black and Ambers after a second season on the spin as an ever-present. The number eight has played in 25 games – all starts apart from one outing off the bench at Swansea in the SRC Cup – and also featured in friendly fixtures to celebrate the club's 150th anniversary season. The Wales Sevens international is crucial to Newport's adaptability, able to mix it physically but also thrive out wide, and hopes to avoid a repeat of last year's narrow defeat at Llandovery when the last Premiership title was on the line. WINNER: Ben Roach after Newport's semi-final win against Ebbw Vale last season (Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency) 'To get to back-to-back finals is quite special but obviously we want to go one step further and win it,' said Roach. 'The experience from big games helps with the pressure but Ebbw Vale also been there with the cup final this season. 'We've prepped well and are on the back of a few good weeks, so we head there with momentum for one last big game. 'This is what you play the game for, you want to be fighting at the top and now we want to get over the line. 'It's the 150th anniversary and it would be nice to top that off with another bit of history by winning the first SRC while we also had the loss of 'BJ' [the legendary 'Mr Newport' Brian Jones], so there is a lot of emotion.' Whichever inspirational captain gets to lift the trophy will deserve the honour.
South Wales Argus
15-05-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
SRC: Newport hitting top form for Ebbw Vale final
The Steelmen will start as slight favourites for Sunday's showdown (kick-off 2.30pm) courtesy of home advantage, but there was little to choose between the sides that finished in the top four of the table. Ebbw edged out Llandovery in the first semi-final and then the Black and Ambers stunned top seeds Cardiff at the Arms Park. READ MORE: Strange hunting first major title with Ebbw It means that Morris & Co have a shot at going one better than last year when edged out by the Drovers in a top-quality Premiership final at Church Bank. Arguably Newport haven't hit the heights of 2023/24 this season… but they have challenged that assessment with performances in the run-in. They have won seven games since defeat at Ebbw in the SRC Cup and are averaging 36 points per game. A winning streak was brought to a crashing end by Llandovery a year ago but Newport hope that they have built towards one last huge effort. BOSS: Newport head coach Ty Morris (Image: Kian Abdullah/Huw Evans Agency) 'The whole season is planned so that we are performing at our best at the right time,' said head coach Morris, who is determined to add a league title to the Premiership Cup won at Principality Stadium in 2022. 'We want to be firing on all cylinders and I think we have that right this year because we are seven games undefeated, we are scoring some great tries and playing some excellent rugby. 'There are a number of players who are playing their best rugby of the season and that is down to the planning. 'We have made sure the squad is rotated, everybody has had a chance to compete for a start and eventually the cream rises to the top for this final.' Ebbw's excellent campaign means they head into Sunday's derby with a perfect Eugene Cross Park record of played 13, won 13. Two of those successes were against Newport but Morris, like opposite number Jason Strange, doesn't read too much into past games. DOUBLE: Ebbw Vale beat Newport at Eugene Cross Park in the SRC Cup and the regular season (Image: Kian Abdullah/Huw Evans Agency) 'We won comfortably at home in dry conditions but lost at Ebbw Vale in the wet and the dry,' he said. 'You can look back at those games to try and find a couple of themes but this is a cup final. Ebbw Vale will bring something new and so will we for what will be a hell of an arm wrestle. 'They are undefeated at home and that will give them another five per cent to their game but it takes a big effort to beat them whatever the ground. 'The dry conditions suit us but there's more to their game than just a set piece. We have to deliver what we can, and control what we can control. 'We finished runners-up last year so really wanted to achieve a final again, so fingers crossed we can be more than the bridesmaid this year. 'It'll be a noisy day and a great atmosphere, Ebbw Vale have a big following and I am sure our supporters will turn up in their numbers.' Newport have also profited from the experience of last year's final, plus the build-up to three Principality Stadium cup clashes since 2018. 'The players are controlling this now,' said Morris. 'It would be quite easy to do an extra session or really go hard at them but they know everything about policies, our attack, our defence. 'There is a bit more detail around Ebbw Vale this week but not around intensity, it's making sure there is a clear understanding of things. 'We had an easy session and walk through on Tuesday, then got to Tiny Rebel for some food and a sparkling water. The hard work has been done all year and the guys are raring to go for Sunday.'
