When Strange returned as head coach at his hometown club he had a massive clear out of players, scoured his locality for talent and three seasons on has arrived in the inaugural Super Rygbi Cymru Cup final.
The chance to pick up Ebbw’s first piece of silverware since they took the then Premiership title in 2016 is evidence enough that his plan is on course. Last season they reached the semi-finals f both the cup and the Premiership, losing both.
The fact it was Llandovery who completed the double last season, beating Ebbw in the cup semi-final, will be enough motivation for Strange’s team to seek ample revenge. They’ve already beaten the Drovers home and away in the SRC league programme and look capable of making it a notable hat-trick.
“It’s nice to get back to another cup final. The last one for the club was back in 1998 – when Jason was playing!” said Ebbw team manager Dan Haymond.
“Our last trophy was in the Premiership final in 2016, and this team now feels ready to win something. If we are going to do it, we will have to do it the hard way by going up there on a Thursday night.
“The boys will have to leave work early, get to Llandovery and get their minds in the right place for what is going to be a big battle. They did a job on us in the semi-final last year, but that is added motivation for the final.”
Haymond was a try scorer in the Premiership win at Sardis Road nine years ago and has seen the current side grow together under Strange’s tutelage. The experience of not only losing to Llandovery in last season’s cup semi-final, but also to Newport in the Premiership play-off semi-final, has taught the players a lot.
“We now have a tried and tested team that has played 50-60 games together over the last three seasons. Jason has worked them hard and they have all responded magnificently,” added Haymond.
“We brought in a lot of young boys who have really matured. The semi-final defeats last season really hurt, but they also taught them an awful lot.”
Just how much will be revealed when they inevitably come under pressure from a Llandovery side that won the league and cup double last year. After some initial struggles early on in the season, they have since hit their straps and are seeking a repeat of last year’s rush of silverware.
They sped into a 33-7 lead at Aberavon last weekend in their final pool game before eventually running out with a 40-33 triumph. That came on the back of a 52-19 home thrashing by Cardiff in the league, so they can be vulnerable.
“We did our best to make it interesting at Aberavon last weekend and there are definitely things we need to tighten up in our game,” said head coach Euros Evans.
“Jason Strange has done a great job in building his team at Ebbw Vale. He made a lot of changes to start with, but they must now feel they are a team that is ready to win something.
“Playing at home will be a big advantage for us, although everyone knows they have beaten us twice already this season. We’ve got a pretty fit squad, and we’ve got good experience of playing in big games.
“Now we are at the business end of the season I’m hoping that experience shines through.”
Llandovery: Jac Davies; Kian Abraham, Adam Warren, Rhodri Jones, Harri Doel; Ioan Hughes, Lee Rees (captain); Jamie Hughes, Taylor Davies, Berian Watkins, Ed Scragg, Joe Powell, Osian Davies, Stuart Worrall, Nathan Hart
Reps: Garan Williams, Dino Dallavalle, Guto Jones, Evan Sheldon, Jordan Evans, Llien Morgan, Jack Maynard, George MacdonaldEbbw Vale: Morgan Richards; Ewan Bowden, Cameron Davies, Dom Franchi, Ryan Gardner; Evan Lloyd, Rory Harries; Luke Garrett, Joe Franchi, Adam Williams, Dylan Bartlett, Curtis Gregory, Jack Pope, Sion Parry, Ryan Jenkins
Reps (from): Ieuan Morris, Morgan Williams, Adam Court, Cameron Regan, Lewis Young, Jon Evans, Kobi Rees, Ieuan Evans, Matt Jones
