EBBW Vale extended their unbeaten start to the Principality Premiership season with an impressive triumph at high-flying RGC 1404, writes Dean Jones.

The visitors made aimed to impose their authority from the outset and took an early lead thanks to a Rhys Jones penalty after five minutes following a brief spell of pressure.

This provoked a strong response from the Gogs, who were rewarded for their improved play after eight minutes when Andrew Williams powered over following a surging drive from their powerful pack. New signing Billy McBryde fired over the extras.

A superb run from Dan Owen almost improved the hosts’ scoreline but he was thwarted by a superb tackle in the visiting 22, with Vale denied by a brilliant stand from Iolo Evans during a frantic end-to-end spell of the clash.

The away side remained resolute in the face of some stern pressure from Mark Jones’ men midway through the half, and they reduced the deficit on 26 minutes when Jones despatched his second free-kick of the contest to make it a one-point game.

This seemed to spur on the home side further, and after a positive spell of phases that slowly got them to within scoring range, Evans managed to cross the white wash narrowly after George Roberts had been edged out to extend their cushion with 32 gone. McBryde narrowly missed with the conversion attempt.

After the interval saw Vale presented with another penalty opportunity on 42 minutes which Jones duly despatched, and McBryde almost answered immediately following the restart but his long-range attempt fell narrowly short.

Another free-kick from the flawless Jones levelled proceedings after a brief stoppage in play following an injury to the outstanding Evans on 53 minutes, and Steffan Thomas was denied their first try of the game when he put a foot in touch after diving over the line.

Vale carved out another opening thanks to a dominate spell of possession on 65 minutes, and after a pair of scrums on the goal-line they were awarded a penalty try to put them ahead for their first time in the game.

The pace significantly dropped in the closing stages as Vale looked to hold on to their slender lead, and the Gogs’ task was made more difficult when Roberts was shown a yellow card for a tip tackle.

This enabled the visitors to see out the remainder of the game with minimal fuss to make it three wins in succession to open the campaign.

RGC scorers – Tries: A Williams, I Evans; Con: B McBryde Ebbw Vale scorers – Tries: Penalty try; Pens: R Jones (4).

RGC: J Simpson (W Sanderson 68), G Roberts, J Scott (J Ringer 59), B Jones (T Grey 61), R Williams, A Williams, D Owen, M Parry (I Rowlands 30), E Jones, B McBryde, I Evans (B Rae 50), R Williams (N Butterworth 61), T Hughes, S Jones (A Bagshaw 40), D Jones.

Ebbw Vale: R Jones, R Francis (C Hicks 54), R Sevenoaks, K Parker (J Harries 69), A Sweet (L Randall 70), C Regan, R Kynes, L Young, M Flanagan, R Jones, T Fricker, D Franchi (P King 73), C Meyer (J Lewis 57), S Thomas, D Haymond.

Argus star man: Rhys Jones