Steelmen Clinch Late Win
Ebbw Vale 33 RGC 31
SRC Round 3
Saturday 26th September 2026
If a game of two halves could be shown in real time, then this was it.
RGC found themselves 25 points down in the first half, before producing a remarkable second-half comeback to move into the lead — only for Ebbw Vale to come back and clinch the win with a late try.
The Gogs take two bonus points back North, while Ebbw Vale maintain their unbeaten start to the season and remain at the top of the table.
RGC opened the scoring at Ebbw Vale after just five minutes, as Billy McBryde sent a penalty sailing between the posts.
The Gogs had set out their intent from the opening exchanges, looking to move the ball quickly, while Ebbw Vale looked to attack the defensive line with power and find the gain line.
RGC were solid in closing down the ball carrier and space, but a couple of handling errors handed possession back to the Steelmen.
Ebbw Vale made the pressure count when a pass opened up space for centre Phillips to run through and score. Former RGC fly-half Harri Ford added the conversion on his Ebbw Vale debut.
RGC were forced into an early change in the pack after prop Jessie Williams was forced off, with Gareth Parry coming on after 20 minutes.
The danger signs continued as Ebbw Vale built momentum and RGC found themselves increasingly on the back foot, searching for a foothold in the contest.
Good handling from the Ebbw Vale backs, with both centres heavily involved, created another opening and prop Luke Garrett crossed the whitewash. Ford again added the extras.
Errors were proving costly for RGC at key moments. A penalty went out on the full, followed by an offside decision that moved Ebbw Vale from inside their own half to the RGC 22 in the space of a minute.
With pressure mounting, another penalty moved the Steelmen 10 metres closer before they set up a scrum. It wasn't long before they crossed for a third try, Ryan Jenkins going over, with Ford adding another conversion.
RGC's task became even tougher when Sam Williams was shown a yellow card. With the Gogs down to 14 men, Ebbw Vale took advantage, moving the ball wide for Morgan Rees to score. Ford was again on target with the conversion.
But RGC finished the half strongly, picking up pace.
Scrum-half Tudur Jones worked hard to bring the backline into the game, with Dion Jones making a break as the Gogs looked for a way back into the contest.
RGC took a quick tap penalty and put the pressure back on the Steelmen, with Huw Davies crashing over for a much-needed try. McBryde added an excellent conversion from the touchline.
It gave RGC something to build on at the break, despite a difficult first 40 minutes.
The Gogs came out for the second half with renewed purpose, playing with greater pace and looking to carry the ball into the Ebbw Vale defence. Huw Davies was prominent with a couple of strong carries.
Ebbw Vale's Ieuan Morris was shown a yellow card, giving RGC an opportunity to build pressure with an extra man.
Again, RGC pushed forward, but handling errors once more handed possession back to the home side.
Despite being down to 14 men, Ebbw Vale controlled territory and made sure the game remained in the RGC half, frustrating the Gogs' attempts to get out and build attacking pressure.
Both corners of the pitch were being peppered by Ford's kicking, while scrums, resets and mauls became increasingly prominent.
Credit to RGC, though, as they stood firm in defence and refused to let the Steelmen break the line.
And then came the fightback - with pace in the play, and power in the attack.
RGC's forwards worked their way towards the try-line before Sam Williams crossed for the score. McBryde added the conversion to reduce the deficit.
Just a minute later, Williams was over again.
McBryde again converted and suddenly RGC were within four points, with 12 minutes remaining.
The momentum had swung dramatically, and the scoreline was doing so as well.
RGC were now going through the phases and searching for the attacking line, while pressure was forcing errors from the home side.
On 73 minutes, the Gogs finally broke through.
Tudur Jones wriggled free from a tackle and found the crucial gap, racing through to score. McBryde added the conversion and RGC had turned the game around.
But there was still another twist.
With just two minutes remaining, Ebbw Vale regained possession and moved back onto the front foot. The ball was worked wide and Dafydd Thomas raced over to put the home side back in front.
Ford added the conversion, leaving RGC with one final chance to respond.
After fighting back from 25 points down and scoring 24 unanswered points, the Gogs were ultimately denied by a late Ebbw Vale .
RGC take two points back North from a dramatic afternoon, while Ebbw Vale remain unbeaten in the first 3 games of the season.