EBBW Vale displayed the ability to win ugly at Bedwas but head coach Jason Strange has demanded more from his charges when they continue their Principality Premiership title push in 2015.

The Steelmen kept within reach of leaders Pontypridd by winning a tense derby at Bridge Field 12-11 thanks to a penalty try and a classy score by wing Tom James.

However, Ebbw were thankful that Richard Powell's conversion attempt sailed wide following Aaron Pinches' score in the final quarter.

Wins at Bedwas are not to be sniffed at but Strange, whose side can take a giant step towards a top-three finish in the next two weeks when fellow playoff hopefuls Cardiff and Carmarthen Quins visit Eugene Cross Park, wants more.

He said: "The playoffs have always been our aim but we can't afford to perform like we did at Bedwas. We have got to be better.

"The win was pleasing but our performance was a step back from (the 31-24 win against) Llanelli. The conditions meant it was never going to be an expansive game, it was just about character but we didn't get any flow to our game.

"We have surprised everyone else so far this season but we know how much quality there is in our squad and have to keep improving."

Ebbw have a title challenge to look forward to in the New Year but Bedwas appear to be condemned to a mid-table finish.

That will be a source of some frustration, especially as Saturday's defeat came seven days after they were edged out 22-20 by Cardiff in the capital.

"It's hugely disappointing because I felt that we dominated the game for huge parts," said head coach Steve Law. "There was a 20-minute period at the start of the second half that killed us along with our inefficiency in the first half that meant three visits to the 22 went without points.

"To lose another game against a team near the top when we had a kick to win is hard to take but you can't question our endeavour, effort or attitude. There was times when we showed so much spirit when things weren't going our way."

Bedwas had a strong breeze at their back in the first half but led by just six points thanks to a pair of Powell penalties, the fly-half missing the target with another two efforts in tricky conditions for a kicker.

The hosts had the edge up front in the first 40 minutes, aided by some ambitious calls to the back of the lineout in a gale by Ebbw, yet the Steelmen came back out strongly.

They laid siege to the Bedwas line and then scrummaged their way to a penalty try that fly-half Iain Smerdon converted.

It was soon 12-6 thanks to an excellent finish by James, who ran a super angle to burst through from 40 metres, and Cameron Regan nearly secured the spoils only to be adjudged to have knocked on reaching for the line.

And Bedwas came storming back in the final quarter with wing Elliott Keep kicking himself for failing to grasp an interception on halfway before centre Pinches rewarded incessant pressure on the line by running onto the ball at speed and powering over.

Sadly for the hosts Powell's conversion went wide and the wind, rain and mud meant attempts to secure a late winner from inside their own half were always doomed to failure.

Bedwas: S Thomas, E Keep, M Callow (H Thomson 18), A Pinches, M John (J Maynard 47), R Powell, T Rowlands (L Crane 62), B Toms (D Preece 52), R Wilkes (R Hutcherson 61), M Pettit (J Mills 52), P Rees, A Lee, S Grainger (captain, J Richards 61), J Sawyer, D Mattravers (J Hayward 68).

Scorers: try – A Pinches; penalties – R Powell (2)

Ebbw Vale: D Haymond, O Williams, T Hiscock (C Meyer 71), A Jones (N Preece 69), T James, I Smerdon, R Downes, J Lavender (R Jones 69), R Francis, R Sevenoaks (G Robinson 69), D Hudd (captain), J Jacas (A Sweet 54), C Regan, R Kynes, S Gibson (R Clarke 69).

Scorers: tries – penalty, T James; conversion I Smerdon

Referee: Chris Williams (Swansea)

Argus star man: Cameron Regan