Jones boots Ebbw to double

BRIDGEND.........................18 EBBW VALE........................21

DORIAN Jones was the hero for Ebbw Vale as his late penalty handed the Steelmen their second victory over Bridgend in under a week.

Jones inspired Ebbw to a 33-13 victory in the WRU National Cup on Tuesday and he starred again as he came off the bench to boot two late penalties.

Bridgend should have already been in the lead before they eventually went ahead in the 19th minute.

Ryan Evans missed two penalties, with one coming back off the post, before winger Ryan Griffiths almost went over, but he lost his grip on the ball just as he stepped over the whitewash and Ebbw Vale breathed a sigh of relief.

Bridgend continued to dictate the play and after missing a number of guiltedged chances, they took the lead through full-back Jonny Phillips. He stayed wide and collected a long pass from Evans after Jamie Murphy had forced his way up the pitch.

Evans missed the conversion, but was on target with a penalty seven minutes later.

Ebbw looked out of ideas but managed to get on the scoreboard courtesy of a Callum Hall penalty, which sparked a frantic end to the first half.

Centre Nathan Edwards ensured Bridgend maintained control of the game with a late first-half try, which was converted by Evans. But deep into injury time, Ebbw No.8 Cameron Regan touched down following a driving maul to haul them back into the game.

Evans bagged the first points of the second half with a well-taken penalty but Ebbw set up a thrilling finale with a penalty try on 67 minutes.

Jones’ penalty then levelled the score with nine minutes left on the clock and he struck again at the death to seal the win.