Ebbw Vale v Newport by Stephen Bennett
Sunday 3rd May 2026 League play-off semi-final
Newport travelled up the Gwent valleys to play Ebbw Vale in the SRC play off semi-final.
After a morning of Spring sunshine, the Newport supporters travelled to Eugene Cross Park hoping that Newport could replicate their last two visits to Eugene Cross Park. One hour from kick off the skies turned ominously black and opened with rain of biblical proportions.
Jac Lloyd started proceeding’s, and looking around the bank, the heavy rain had taken its toll on supporters willing to brave the elements.
The first quarter of the game saw both teams testing each other out with plenty of box kicks and high balls. Five minutes in and Newport were out of the blocks quickly; Ebbw Vale flanker Sion Parry was sin-binned for deliberately slapping down a pass from Dafydd Buckland. Jack Lloyd opted for the kick to touch in Ebbw’s 22, from the subsequent line out Josh Skinner was driven over for the try, Jac Lloyd converted.
Newport 7-0 Ebbw Vale
A Jac Lloyd break from inside his own half saw him hand it on to Harri Ackerman who transferred it to Fin Baker who was grounded, the ball was quickly recycled and Carwyn Penny cross kicked to the opposite touchline, Oli Amdrew was racing up the touchline the ball would not sit up for him and spilled over his shoulder. With Ebbw Vale down to 14 men Newport were camped inside Ebbw’s 25 but were not putting any points on the board.
Newport were in the ascendancy. with the rain pouring down Newport stuck to the same formula, kicking high balls, if that didn’t try it again.
Two 50-22’s from Carwyn Penny and Evan Lloyd, the latter ended with Ebbw Vale laying siege to Newport’s line and after numerous penalties Harri Ackerman was sin-binned
After 26 minutes.
28 minutes Ebbw Vale hooker Cory Lewis made it over the Newport line, but he was denied by a knock on. After Ebbw pressure Newport were awarded a penalty to finally relieve the siege. The Steelmen had a golden chance when on 33 minutes outside centre Ethan Phillips dropped the ball when crossing Newport’s line. box kicks and high balls were dominating the game, which did not favour Newport. The half ended with Ebbw Vale in control and the team most likely to master the conditions, although they would be a player short after replacement Alfred Bateman Lloyd was sin-binned for a tip tackle on 40 minutes.
Half Time Ebbw Vale 0-7 Newport
Although Newport were leading going into the break the game was not a spectacle by any means. The rain was dictating the game.
Newport Australian flanker Hunter Ward made an uncharacteristic error when dropping the kick off in his own 22 and from the preceding scrum Newport were penalised. Evan Lloyd kicked into the corner but the ball was knocked on. The wet ball was making it a stop start game due to handling errors. On 49 minutes Newport were penalised for crossing at a high ball. Evan Lloyd kicked to the corner and from the line out hooker Cory Lewis was driven over, Evan Lloyd missed the conversion.
Ebbw Vale 5-7 Newport
Newport made a rare visit into the home sides half when Jac Lloyd had a kick charged down which meant Newport returned to their 22.
58 minutes After more pressure from the home side Joe Westwood was penalised for offside in front of the Newport posts, Evan Lloyd kicked the 3 points to put the home side into the lead.
Ebbw Vale 8-7 Newport
The next 10 minutes saw a series turn overs and lost line outs. On 64 minutes Josh Skinner was sin binned for a no arms tackle, from the penalty Evan Lloyd extended Ebbw Vales’ lead.
Ebbw Vale 11-7 Newport
On 71 minutes hooker Cory Lewis was sent to the bin for a trip on Jac Lloyd. Newport kicked into the home half and Newport asserted pressure from a series of pick and go’s.
74 minutes Newport then spread the ball wide in the home 22 and wing Fin Baker scored in the corner, Jac Lloyd put over a superb conversion.
Ebbw Vale 11-14 Newport
In the last six minutes Ebbw Vale piled on the pressure and scored the winning try on the last play of the game from a cross kick, Lloyd converted.
Full Time Ebbw Vale 18-14 Newport
Even with the controversy over the winning score Ebbw Vale marginally deserved to win this game as they used the conditions better. Yet again Newport had to play periods with men in the bin, whether it cost them the game is debateable.
On the day Ebbw Vale having home advantage and the conditions decided the game in their favour. Even with the disappointment of losing this game the season has been successful with the SRC cup win and taking the challenge shield from Ebbw Vale.
It could be argued that one of the contributing factors for this defeat was losing the first five games, which almost certainly meant that Newport would not get a home semi-final draw in the play offs. Every season Newport try to win it the hard way and try to win it on the road. Even though some would argue the venue makes no difference, home advantage in this knock out competition can prove vital.
Newport MoM: Hunter Ward