Humberstone scored 13 points in his final game for the club before switching to Donacaster Kinghts this summer and Lockyer believes he can be as big a success in the English Championship as he has been for Ponty in the Premiership.
“He has been massive for us. Not just this year, but in the last five years – he’s been crucial to all the success we’ve had and he’ll be a big loss for us,” said Lockyer.
“It’s really nice to get a win to finish a great season after a really tough game. It could have gone either way and Ebbw Vale finished on top.
“But credit to our boys. It’s a fantastic feeling for us, especially after the disappointment of the SWALEC cup final, and to go through the season with just one defeat in the league is something we looked at and with which we’re over the moon.”
Ponty lifted the trophy for a record fourth consecutive year in front of a near capacity crowd at Sardis Road, while Ebbw Vale had to go without a trophy for the first time in five seasons. But Ebbw Vale head coach Jason Strange had nothing but praise for his brave side after they went down fighting in the Principality Premiership Grand Final.
Despite exerting long periods of pressure, Vale could not find a way through the hosts’ defence until the dying moments when Jason Howells ran in a late consolation. Earlier, Jake Thomas, Rhys Shellard and Simon Humberstone had crossed for Ponty before Owen Jenkins sealed the win.
“I’m extremely proud of the team. The game was a fantastic advert for the Premiership, the crowd were great, but obviously we’re a little disappointed,” said Strange.
“We had a lot of pressure and didn’t really take our chances and that was the difference between the two teams today. It has been a remarkable few years and to finish in the final in our first season in the Premiership was fantastic.
“It was always going to be a tough ask to come to Ponty and get a win. They’re are a very good team with quality, experienced players but Ebbw Vale are now in a great position to push on and we will certainly go forward next year.”
