Battling Beddau edged out by Ebbw in gritty encounter

EBBW Vale had to dig deep to hold off a spirited Beddau side and progress to round three of the cup.

The reigning Premiership champions are enduring a testing season having scraped through to the newly formatted Tier One of Welsh rugby.

But the Steelmen, coached by former Wales international Nigel Davies, are still fighting for a league and cup double after this gritty win. Ebbw are in search of a first cup final since 1998 – where they finished runners-up to Llanelli.

However, on a mild afternoon, they came up against a Beddau side who are third in the Championship and had plenty to say in this fierce contest.

The hosts were clearly spurred on having recently mourned the death of promising young star Tom Owen.

Ronny Kynes was on the end of a catch and drive from the lineout midway through the first-half – a move that saw him rack up the most tries scored in the Premiership last season with 19.

Outside-half Dai Langdon added the extras, but that proved to be the visitors’ only score of the afternoon. After the break Hywel Chatham reduced the deficit with a penalty as the Championship side caused problems and made the Steelmen sweat. Midway through the second-half, Langdon missed the chance to ease Ebbw’s nerves, but it did not prove decisive as Davies’ men held on. Star man RonnY Kynes - Ebbw Vale