POWERFUL flanker Ronny Kynes scored two of Ebbw Vale’s four tries in a rousing first half performance that enabled them to take a commanding 32-0 interval lead but Cardiff put up a great fight in the second half of this intriguing Principality Premiership match.

Kynes stormed about the field from the first whistle and No. 8 Ethan Doyle also crossed the line midway through the half after Vale made the best possible start when intense pressure led to them being awarded a fifth minute penalty try. Outside half Iain Smerdon kicked three conversions and slotted a late penalty goal – Vale’s only score in an increasingly tense second period.

The Steelmen added to their own problems in the second half by having two men – props Ross Jones and Gethin Robinson- sent to the sin bin which enabled the visitors to force themselves back into contention. Two of the visitors also picked up yellow cards – flanker Jevon Groves and replacement lock James Murphy.

Cardiff’s points came from tries by centre Will Rees- Hole, flanker and skipper Jonathon Edwards and replacement prop Robert Lewis. James Thomas, another replacement at outside half, kicked two conversions.

The Steelmen were desperate to return to winning ways after last week’s shock 50-0 drubbing at Llandovery – their heaviest defeat since being hammered 64-0 by Llanelli in 2005. Cardiff, on the other hand, were hoping to maintain their good form on the road after successive bonus point victories over Cross Keys, Llanelli and Neath.

Ebbw Vale showed they meant business from the kick-off and a smart 30 metres break by home centre Jordan Howells had Cardiff back pedaling inside their own 22 metres zone. The home forwards piled on the pressure forcing their opponents to concede two penalties near their line and a third misdemeanor in the fifth minute resulted in referee Mr. Gwyn Morris awarding Vale a penalty try. Groves was dispatched to the sin bin.

Vale were proving too hot to handle and a smart move resulted in Kynes storming over for a try at the posts. Smerdon converted to put the home side 16-0 ahead after just 13 minutes.

It was all the Steelmen and Doyle crashed over for try number three after picking up at the back of a scrum seven metres from the visitors’ line. Smerdon converted with a fine wide- angled kick.

On the rare occasions, Cardiff broke out of defence they were stifled by the terrier-like Vale tacklers with back row trio Kynes, Harrison Keddie and Doyle always to the fore.

Kynes was unstoppable and he snapped up his second touchown in the 38 minute after another storming drive by the home pack over the Cardiff line. Smerdon again added the conversion points to give Ebbw Vale a commanding 32-0 interval lead.

The second half was a completely different story as Cardiff exploited their advantage against 14 men during the sin bin periods with some well-worked tries but, unfortunately for them, all the damage had been done by then.

Scorers: Ebbw Vale: Tries: Penalty try R. Kynes (2) E. Doyle Pen: I. Smerdon Cons: I. Smerdon (3) Cardiff: Tries: W. Rees-Hole J. Edwards , R. Lewis Cons: J. Thomas (2)

Ebbw Vale: D. Haymond (C. Levesley 64); D. Williams, J. Howells, N. Preece, T. Watkins (S. Jones 12); I. Smerdon, T. Edwards (J. Hall 73); R. Jones (I. George 80), M. Williams (J. Franchi 76), G. Robinson (R. Sevenoaks 71), D. Hudd, capt., A. Sweet, H. Keddie, (R. Clarke 64) R. Kynes and E. Doyle.

Cardiff: H. Davies, J. Loxton, O. Lane, W. Rees-Hole, T. Gee; C. Hall (J. Thomazs 40), M. Hale (C. Williams 40); L. Smout (R. Lewis 80), R. Williams (M. Breeze 40), J. Jones (A. Rees 80), M. Cook, M. Normandale (J. Murphy 60), J. Groves, J. Edwards, capt. (N. White 74), and B. Thomas.

Referee: Mr.Gwyn Morris (WRU).

Argus man of the match :Ronny Kynes