GREG Woods claimed his first win as Ebbw Vale head coach as the Steelmen enjoyed a deserved victory over Pontypridd at Eugene Cross Park, writes Jay Bayford.

Ponty had already beaten Ebbw twice this season but 14 points from Dorian Jones and a James Lewis try saw the hosts win at the third attempt.

Ponty made a confident start but it was Ebbw who took the lead from a close-range Jones penalty.

The visitors continued to probe and eventually found their way over after slick passing between Lewis Williams and Ceri Sweeney played Chris Dicomidis through to touch down. Diggy Bird curled the resulting conversion narrowly wide.

However, if Ponty thought they would take control of the game they were wrong as Ebbw went back ahead from another well-taken Jones kick.

The fly-half completed his hat-trick of penalties seven minutes later with an effort from much further out than his earlier kicks.

But their momentum was halted when Dai Jones was sent to the sin-bin.

Bird then had the chance to reduce the deficit with a penalty but missed the target.

Just as Jones returned, Rob Sevenoaks saw yellow and replaced him in the sin bin, but Ebbw still managed to keep Ponty out before the break.

The referee continued to brandish the yellow card in the second half with Ponty’s Corey Domachowski the next to spend time in the bin.

With Ponty down to 14 and Ebbw restored to 15, the Steelmen extended their lead with a superb breakaway try.

Centre Lewis was the man that made Eugene Cross Park erupt and Dorian Jones added the extras.

Ponty tried to force their way back into the game but Ebbw stopped them at every attempt before a fourth Jones penalty sealed the victory for the 2016 champions.

Scorers, Ebbw Vale: Try - J Lewis; Con - D Jones; Pens - D Jones (4)

Pontypridd: Try - C Dicomidis