Last week’s 20-5 triumph sent The Steelmen back to the top of the Super Rygbi Cymru table and a similar result today would take them to the top of Pool B in the SRC Cup – one win away from the final.
“Last year we were bitterly disappointed to lose in both the cup and play-off semi-finals. We got to the final four and took a couple of hammerings,” said Ebbw Vale team manager Dan Haymond.
“We’ve learned from those disappointments and the chat all season has been about trying to win some silverware this time round. It isn’t going to be easy but we are in with a chance.
“The Gwent derbies keep on coming round and we know that Newport will be heading back up the valley seeking revenge for last week. We have a huge amount of respect for them and know it won’t be easy to make it a double.”
The win over Newport came on the back of an 18-13 win at Pontypool in their previous game and ensured The Steelmen held onto the SRC Challenger Shield once again. Now they want to get their hands on some permanent silverware.
With both teams unbeaten in Pool B with one game left to play after this round – Newport host Pontypool and Ebbw Vale go to Swansea – the game feels like a semi-final.
“It definitely has the feel of a knock-out game and that will add to the occasion. Newport have one of the strongest squads in the SRC and it wasn’t easy to get the win over them last week,” added Haymond.
“We are probably still a bit ahead of the curve in our development from where we started this project in the summer of 2023, although the combinations in our side are developing nicely after players have played with each other between 30-40 times.”
Wales U20 wing Harry Rees-Weldon was released to play last weekend, and got onto the scoresheet with a vital try, but he is back in camp this weekend. Canadian international Sion Parry once again starts in the Ebbw back row.
The other game in Pool B sees Carmarthen Quins host Swansea. The Quins have lost all three games to date and cannot qualify for the final, while Swansea have also yet to post a win.
In Pool A, Cardiff welcome Aberavon to the Arms Park. Although riding high in the SRC league competition, the Blue & Blacks have yet to win in the cup. The Wizards need two big wins – they face unbeaten Llandovery at home in their final pool match – to stand any chance of topping the pool and reaching the final.
The Drovers go into their third cup tie against Bridgend on the back of an 11-match winning streak. They last lost on 5 October to Ebbw Vale, their only defeat on their new all-weather surface at Church Bank this season.
