The Scrum V cameras will be at Eugene Cross Park to watch the so-far unbeaten Ebbw Vale side host the champions of the last two seasons, Merthyr, in what is shaping up to be the game of the season to date.
Not even ‘Storm Callum’ could blow Ebbw Vale off course last weekend as they made in a magnificent seven out of seven to remain three points clear at the top. They head to Pontypridd this weekend for another severe test before their potential table-topping shoot-out with the Ironmen.
Reigning champions Merthyr duly picked up maximum points from their 34-6 win at Neath, where they scored six tries to stay on the title trail. They currently trail Greg Woods’ Steelmen by three points after seven rounds and will host Swansea this weekend.
The Steelmen, playing against Woods old club, Cross Keys, locked their visitors into their own half with the elements in their favour in the first half at Eugene Cross Park. It remained scoreless for the first quarter before three tries flowed before the break to give the leaders a hold on the scoreboard.
Scrum half Dai Jones got the first, No 8 Lewis Young barged his way over from close-range for the second and then skipper Ronny Kynes was rolled over for the third in familiar fashion. Keys hit back with a Wes Cunliffe try to round off a great break by Leon Andrews, but the bonus-point finally came in added time for the home side.
Keys were reduced to 14 men when Tom Lampard was dismissed for a punch 10 minutes from time. The Steelmen also lost Rhys Francis to a yellow at the same time. Three minutes later Joel Harris pounced for the vital fourth try for the league leaders.
There was plenty for Bridgend coach Matt Silva to celebrate as his side produced their first win over Llandovery in a decade with a magnificent 25-20 victory at the Morganstone Brewery Field. Tries from Connor Tantum and Geraint Roberts, plus 10 points from the boot of Jamie Murphy, in a wind-assisted first-half allowed the Ravens to change ends 20-8 to the good.
Things simply went from bad to worse for the Drovers after the break as Shaun Miles and Aaron Warren both picked up yellow cards. Then, shortly after returning the field, Warren saw red for a second yellow card offence as he stopped a quickly taken penalty.
Murphy made his side’s numerical advantage pay with a corner try and that sealed the fate of Llandovery, who have not lost three in a row after posting four straight wins at the start of the campaign.
There was a notable victory for Bargoed at home to Llanelli, as they ran out convincing victors 27-10. There was a priceless bonus-point to celebrate as well as tries came from Barney Nightingale, Ashley Gibson and Rhys Buckley to add to a penalty try.
It was Bargoed’s second win of the season and moved them up to 12th in the table, a point ahead of Swansea, who were beaten 32-5 at home by Pontypridd. Newport headed north to Colwyn Bay, where they beat RGC 1404 15-8, while Aberavon ground out a 10-15 home win over Carmarthen Quins to remain in third place.
