Now the man who played in a record nine cup finals, and won six of them with Llanelli, is looking to keep the Steelmen on track for another tilt at the title when they host Merthyr in the quarter-finals at Eugene Cross Park.
“I don’t think everyone at Ebbw Vale has forgiven me for that 19-12 defeat. There are still some who claim that Martyn Madden’s match-winning try shouldn’t have been allowed,” said Davies.
“I still remember that game quite clearly and it ranks alongside my first win in 1985 as one of my best cup memories. If you look closely at the video of the game in Bristol you will see I had my son, Sam, as a mascot – a very reluctant three-year-old mascot!
“There is still something special about the cup and we are going into this game in good form and we are looking to be very competitive from here to the end of the season. With all the injuries we picked up earlier in the season we knew it was going to be a battle to make the top eight in the Premiership.
“We managed to scrape in and know we have a fitter and stronger squad that has been boosted by a few recent signings. We know that Merthyr will provide a stern test and we have to get things right on the day.”
Merthyr have already picked up three wins over the Steelmen this season, although assistant coach Dale McIntosh isn’t putting much importance on previous contests. He is banking on the experienced players in his squad coming good and steering them into their first semi-final.
The Ironmen went to the Principality Stadium for the Plate final in 2014, beating Rhiwbina 29-26, but since then they have graduated into the Premiership and have been flexing their muscles at the highest level of the game in Wales. They have already accounted for Newbridge and Bedwas and now they want to make it three in a row in the cup.
“There are too many good teams left in the cup for us to take any liberties or start talking too positively. If we apply ourselves well we know it will take a good side to beat us,” said McIntosh, a cup winner with Pontypridd in his playing days.
“The conditions aren’t going to be great, so it will be vital that we manage the conditions well. I thought we did that very well at Bedwas and if we can replicate that we’re in with a good chance.
“We’ve beaten their main side once and picked up two wins against them in the Foster’s Cup this season, but we know that on their day they are capable of beating any team in the top-flight. It’s going to be a fascinating battle and we have to get our attitude and performance right.”
The Steelmen were grateful to reach the quarter-finals after being held 7-3 at Championship club Beddau in the last round. They made light work of Skewen, 57-7, in the first round, but know that Merthyr will provide an altogether tougher test of their title credentials.
Ebbw Vale: Dan Haymond; Chris Levesley, Nathan Preece, Dominic Franchi, James Lewis; Josh Lewis, Rob Lewis; Ross Jones, Joe Franchi, Rob Sevenoaks, Damien Hudd (captain), Lance Randall, Rhys Clarke, Ronny Kynes, Jonathan Davies
Reps: Jonny Bowen, Gethin Robinson, Ian George, Joe Bartlett, Jack Goodey, Dai Jones, Dai Langdon, Stefan Thomas
Merthyr: Matthew Jarvis; Kyle Evans, Gavin Dacey, Terri Gee, Alex Howeman; Gareth Davies, Rhys Downes; Nathan Trevett, Rhys Williams, Gary Powell, Lou Reed, Craig Locke (captain), Tom Daley, Osian Davies, Phil Rees
Reps: Matt Dwyer, James Howe, Nathan Buck, Nick White, Mathew Rees, Justin James, Aaron Pinches, Martin Thomas
