Late kick secures dramatic triumph for Vale

REIGNING champions Ebbw Vale made it two wins on the bounce as they edged out Carmarthen Quins in a thriller at The Park.

Two Josh Lewis penalties minutes from time turned the game on its head after Quins looked destined for an impressive victory over the reigning champions.

Jonathan Davies scored two tries, either side of the interval, as the Steelmen held on for victory at the end and stay on track to defend their title.

Ebbw only just made it through to the newly formed Tier One of Premiership rugby, finishing the first half of the season in eighth.

But despite losing their opening game to Bedwas, the Gwent side are in the hunt at the business end after this victory and a tight win against Aberavon a fortnight ago.

Steffan Marshall had given the hosts the lead with a penalty, but James Lewis crossed for the opening try.

Marshall restored the Quins’ advantage before prop Nathan Williams was sin-binned and No.8 Davies went over for his first score of the day.

Chris Levesley made sure the visitors took full advantage of their superior numbers when he scored Ebbw’s third try before half-time with Marshall ensuring his team could keep tabs at the break with a penalty.

The outside-half was on hand again to close the gap but Davies added the bonus-point soon after. Both teams went down to 14 when Torin Myhill and Dominic Franchi were carded, but it was the Quins who found the next score through Shaun Jones.

Craig Evans added the extras to put the hosts into the lead, but Lewis remained cool under intense pressure to kick back-to-back penalties through the posts in the final ten minutes to steal the win for the battling visitors.