Jones stars as Vale vault to comfortable win at Bedwas

RHYS Jones kicked 16 points to steer Ebbw Vale up to third place in the Principality Premiership as he helped the Steelmen to win at Bedwas on Boxing Day.

The former Dragons marksman kicked three penalties in a commanding first-half performance and then added a fourth just after the break.

They helped hoist the visitors into a 23-5 lead and extend their unbeaten run to six matches.

Bedwas hit back with a try from centre Tom Hoppe that was started from deep by full-back Joe Scrivens. Hoppe’s third try in as many matches cut the gap to a single point, but that was as good as it got.

Jones then set up Carl Meyer for the first Ebbw try and the outside half also added the extras.

Lewis Young was then sent racing through a hole to pave the way for Lloyd Evans to score and the Jones conversion and third penalty made it 23-5 at the break.

Bedwas launched a comeback that included tries from wing George Gasson and then back row man Dan Crimmins powered over to cut the gap.

Meyer’s second try, which completed a brilliant team move, took the visitors further ahead and then came a penalty try from a scrum that gave them the full-house of points.

Bedwas were reduced to 13 men for a while in the final 10 minutes after Craig Budgen and then Ramaz Rukhadze were both shown yellow cards.