Ace kicker Howe puts the boot into Steelmen

BRIDGEND put themselves right back in the mix for survival in the Indigo Group Premiership as they conjured up only their second win of the season at Eugene Cross Park.

Owen Howe put the boot into Ebbw Vale as he kicked his side to within three points of their nearest rivals in the relegation zone at the bottom end of the table.

The Ravens’ full-back landed six penalties to steal the show and help his side stay in touch as the season gets set to reach the half-way mark next weekend.

Dan Haymond blew an easy chance to give Ebbw a second-minute lead when his penalty kick from just left of the posts was sliced wide. However, from their next attack, Dawid Rubasiniak dived over in the corner for the home side’s first try with Haymond kicking a far more difficult conversion.

Bridgend, after being awarded their first penalty of the game on 19 minutes, didn’t take advantage as Owen Howe’s long-range effort sailed wide. His second attempt though, this one from not far off the halfway line, was on target, and 10 minutes before half-time, Bridgend were finally on the board.

Haymond addressed the balance three minutes later with a similar long-range effort, but in the final kick of the half, Howe notched his second big effort leave Ebbw just 10-6 up. Six minutes into the second half, the gap was reduced further as Howe kicked his third penalty, again from longrange.

The home side gained a boost when Bridgend’s Dafi Sion Davies was sent to the sin-bin for a team infringement, but Haymond failed to land the resulting penalty.

However, Howe’s kicking was exemplary. He landed his fourth penalty on 59 minutes to put the Ravens into a 12-10 lead.

But Ebbw were determined to make the extra man count and just before Davies’ time was up, Chris Coleman mauled over in the corner for an unconverted try. Then with 13 minutes to go, Howe kicked accurately for a fifth time to level the scores at 15-15, before getting Ravens’ winner three minutes later with his sixth penalty.

EBBW VALE: Tries: D Rubasniak, C Coleman; Con: D Haymond; Pen: D Haymond.

BRIDGEND: Pens: O Howe 6.