Having trailed 34-20, tries from lock Dylan Bartlett, wing Ryan Gardner and centre Cameron Davies – two converted by outside half Evan Lloyd – put the Steelmen into the lead 39-34 and on course for a comeback win.
But RGC had other ideas and left-wing Sam Stoddart’s try with the last play, converted by outside half McBryde, completed a memorable afternoon for Josh Leach’s men.
RGC led 22-13 at the break with two tries from McBryde and one for scrum-half Conor Dever. McBryde added two conversions and a penalty. Lloyd scored Ebbw’s first half try, which he also converted as well as kicking two penalties.
Full-back Dion Jones, converted by McBryde, and inside centre Delwyn Jones were RGC’s other second half try scorers. Skipper Joe Franchi also scored in the second period for Ebbw, with Lloyd converting. However, they ultimately had to settle for two bonus points.
It’s now back-to-back away defeats for the Steelmen and, coupled with Cardiff’s 32-22 home win over Swansea, means with their lead at the top of the table now down to just a point.
Swansea had made a blistering start at the Arms Park through two tries inside 12 minutes from their No 8 Geraint Powell, with the first of those converted by Josh Phillips.
However, the Blue & Blacks hit back and would go on to secure a five-point win thanks to a hat-trick from hooker Alun Rees, a brace from scrum-half Ethan Lloyd and a try from Wales U20 wing Kodie Stone. Josh Thomas converted Lloyd’s first try.
Tom Edwards grabbed a third Swansea try, converted by Phillips who also kicked a penalty, but despite their efforts would leave empty handed.
Llandovery, in third, are now just two points back on Ebbw after they saw off fourth placed Newport 38-21 at Church Bank to make it eight successive victories.
It was a tale of two hat-tricks by two opposing centres, with Macs Page on the treble trail for the Drovers while Harri Ackerman scored three times for the visitors yet still ended up on the losing side.
Newport scored first after seven minutes through Ackerman with Matt O’Brien adding the extras. The hosts responded almost instantly though a try from wing Jac Davies, converted by full-back Jack Maynard – who then kicked a penalty.
Maynard also improved Page’s first try before the interval, although Ackerman’s second try and O’Brien conversion right on the half time whistle cut their lead to 17-14.
Ackerman raced over to bag his and Newport’s third try six minutes after the re-start to put them back in front, with O’Brien again slotting the conversion.
But the hosts hit back again with tries from both of their centres, Rhodri Jones and then Page, both converted by Maynard, to go ahead 31-21. Page completed his hat-trick with an interception try on 68 minutes which Maynard again improved.
The win for the Drovers completes a league double for Newport this term, with their eight-match winning run having started with a 30-28 triumph at Newport back on 10 October.
There was also drama at the Brewery Field where Bridgend, courtesy of two late penalties from outside half Luke Price, snatched a 30-27 win over Aberavon.
The Wizards had earlier looked on course for victory as they led 20-5 at the turnaround with a first half lead inspired by Ed Dunford. The outside half scored a try, kicked two penalties and added the extras to both his and centre Frankie Jones’ first half tries.
Bridgend had scored first through Mccauley Rowley’s unconverted try. But they rallied in the second half and turned that deficit into a 24-20 lead with tries from centre Ryan Wilkins, Price, and hooker Evan Yardley to also secure them a bonus point. Price converted the first two.
A penalty try awarded to Aberavon on 76 minutes then seemingly swung the match back their way but Price – who was so influential for Bridgend in their win at RGC last weekend – stepped up not once, but twice, to secure the spoils for the Ravens and also a league double over the Wizards this season.
The fixture between Pontypool against Carmarthen Quins was postponed due to an unplayable surface at Pontypool Park.
