Replacement Jones emerges as late Vale match winner

DORIAN Jones proved to be the match winner as his late penalty gave Ebbw Vale a vital victory.

The Ravens were clearly looking to avenge Tuesday’s WRU National Cup exit to the Steelmen as they dominated the opening half-hour. Full-back Jonny Phillips went over for the game’s first try after good work from Jamie Murphy and Ryan Evans.

Fly-half Evans missed with the conversion but redeemed himself with a well-taken penalty. Ebbw barely had the ball but managed to get themselves on the scoreboard thanks to Callum Hall’s penalty.

Bridgend hit back through Nathan Edwards as he bulldozed his way through to crash over under the posts. This time Evans was on target with the resulting conversion.

But the Steelmen didn’t give up and had the last word of the half as Cameron Regan touched down following a powerful driving maul.

There was confusion at half-time as Hall’s conversion was originally given, but the referee chalked it off.

The second half was more evenly contested but it was Bridgend who kept their noses in front with another penalty from Evans. However, the momentum swung Ebbw’s way after they were awarded a penalty try on 67 minutes.

Jones, who had replaced Hall at half-time, then levelled the score with a penalty before going on to strike the winning kick.