Bargoed forced to settle for a losing bonus point as Steelmen seize win

THIS was a game that both sides needed to win and it could have gone either way.

In the end, a determined second half from the Steelmen and a moment of controversy leading to a penalty try gave the points to the home side.

Bargoed took an early lead from the boot of fullback Matthew Lewis only for Lewis Dennett to square it after 12 minutes.

The scrums had been competitive from the outset and one went down on the Ebbw twenty two with both front rows enmeshed in some grappling on the floor.

Referee Aled Evans decided that Bargoed’s loose head Rhys Morgan and Ebbw Vale tighthead Rob Sevenoaks were responsible for some afters and both had yellow cards. Lewis Lippiett was injured in the collapse and had to be placed by Geraint Clarke.

However, Bargoed got the penalty and Lewis put them back in front.

The Bulls seemed to cope better than Ebbw with being one short and when Ian Smerdon put a penalty to the corner, a clean catch and well developed drive saw replacement hooker Clarke come up with the ball. Lewis’ conversion from wide out failed but Bargoed were 3 -11 up after half an hour.

Dennett got a penalty back on the stroke of half time to make it 6-11 at the break.