Lewis stars for Vale to give defending champs title shot

REIGNING champions Ebbw Vale will be able to go on to try and defend their title in the second half of the Principality Premiership season after grinding out victory over Cross Keys.

The Steelmen went into the game as if it were a cup final, knowing they had to win to guarantee themselves a place in the top eight.

As it happened, Cardiff were beaten at home by Bedwas, so their only other rivals for the final place in the top half of the table failed to close the two-point gap.

Keys made life predictably tough for their local rivals and restricted the champions to a single Josh Lewis penalty in the first half as defences were on top.

The home outside-half then added a second penalty 11 minutes from time to double the Vale advantage before he finally made the game safe with a try six minutes later.

As for a very relieved Ebbw Vale coach, Nigel Davies, he feels his side will only get better from now on, particularly with a favourable schedule in the second half of the season.

He said: “We had only played five games at home up to last weekend.

“And the way the fixtures fall in the second half of the season we will meet the top four teams at home and only travel away for three matches.

He added: “We are getting key players back from injury and I think we can only get better from now on.” Star man Josh Lewis - Ebbw Vale