EBBW Vale’s hopes of defending their Principality Premiership crown were boosted after a hard-fought bonus-point victory over Carmarthen Quins, writes Jay Bayford.

After a slow start the champions found their form to run in four tries and seal back-to-back league victories.

Steffan Marshall inspired Quins to fight their way back into the game but two late Josh Lewis penalties were enough to earn Ebbw Vale the win.

Quins were looking for their first tier one victory and started well with Marshall kicking an early penalty but James Lewis nudged the Steelmen in front when he finished off a superb team move to crash over in the corner.

A second Marshall penalty saw Quins retake the lead but Ebbw Vale came back strongly and after nearly forcing a second try, Nathan Williams was shown a yellow card for Quins.

Number-eight Jonathan Davies took advantage of the decision to claim the visitors’ second try, with Josh Lewis adding the conversion.

Marshall kept the hosts in the game with a long-range penalty before Chris Levesley crossed the whitewash on the stroke of half time to give the Steelmen a bit of breathing space.

The second half started just like the first with Marshall kicking three points, but Quins’ joy was short-lived as Torin Myhill was sent to the sin-bin and Davies went over for his second minutes later.

But the tables turned on Myhill’s return with Joe Franchi receiving a yellow card and Shaun Jones and Gavin Thomas both scoring converted tries in his absence.

However, Josh Lewis sealed the win for the visitors with two late penalties.

Quins: tries – S Jones, G Thomas; cons – C Evans (2); pens – S Marshall (4)

Ebbw Vale: tries – Ja Lewis, J Davies (2), C Levesley; cons – Jo Lewis (2); pens – Jo Lewis (2)