The Steelmen went into the game only needing a point from their last three matches to make sure of a place in the top four that will give them a shot of winning a second Premiership title to add to the one they lifted in 2016.
Evan Lloyd, playing at full-back, scored all of Ebbw’s points in the first half to put his side 26-0 to the good at half time. He kicked two early penalties and, after Ebbw were awarded a penalty try, then added the extras to his own try, which he scored after good work from wing Ryan Gardner and centre Ethan Phillips.
Chris Banfield pulled a try back for Aberavon, which went unconverted, before further Ebbw tries scored by Lewis Young and Ethan Phillips to make sure of the bonus point, with Lloyd converting the latter.
“It’s a great result for us, especially against Aberavon. Their position in the league doesn’t really do them justice – they’re one of the better teams,” said Ebbw team manager Dan Haymond.
“It was a good 15-point wind, and it was always going to be tough for them to come back. It’s lovely to get it done but the boys have just got to stay focused now.
Pontypool kept their own play-off hopes alive for another week as they saw off RGC 30-16 to make it a hat-trick of bonus point victories. Their top four fate may be out of their own hands, but proud Pooler maintained their end of the bargain with five more points after another hard-fought victory.
Skipper Scott Matthews came off the bench to score his side’s fourth try in the second half to secure maximum points for Leighton Jones’ men, after first half scores from left wing Matthew Powell, hooker Sam Scarfe and full-back Matt Bancroft had set them on their way.
Matthew Jarvis kicked two conversions and two penalties, while Wales U20 outside half Harri Ford got RGC’s sole try, which Dion Jones converted. Jones also kicked three penalties.