EBBW VALE warmed up for Tuesday night's Gwent derby at Cross Keys with victory in West Wales – although they were made to fight all the way for it by Carmarthen Quins, writes Carl Field.

In what was a war of attrition at the Park, tries in each half from flanker Cameron Regan and replacement back-rower Ronny Kynes saw the league leaders make it a perfect 10 in the Principality Premiership.

In what were testing conditions from the off due to some persistent rain, the first half turned out to be a forwards battle in every sense, with both sides' wings not given any space.

There were flashes; Ebbw outside centre Nathan Preece led a breakaway midway through the first half but was quickly thwarted by some dogged defence, a common theme throughout.

It was the Steelmen who scored the only points of the first half, with a try that arrived 21 minutes in when, following a lineout, flanker Regan drove the maul over, although the conversion was missed.

Quins got themselves on the scoreboard three minutes after the re-start when fly-half Craig Evans booted a long-range penalty.

Anyone watching the game without any knowledge of the two sides' positions would struggle to determine which team was top and the other second bottom.

And a second Evans penalty on 55 minutes pulled the Quins back to within two points at 6-4 down.

It was anyone's game in the final quarter but it was Ebbw who scored again 10 minutes from time in a move almost identical to the first try, with a lineout and drive and this time it was flanker Kynes – on as a second half replacement – who drove over, with fly-half Dai Langdon converting to make it 14-4 to the visitors.

But Quins hit back with a breakaway try five minutes from time to set up a frantic finale with centre Dylan Morgans going over and it was the least they deserved for their efforts.

Evans converted although the Steelmen held out for another valuable win as their relentless match towards the play-offs continues.

Carmarthen Quins: L Williams; K Jones (G Thomas 63), D Morgans, J Williams (C Price 74), I Evans; C Evans, K Hardy (G George 70); N Williams (I Phillips 70), R Elias (S Phillips 70), I Jones (capt) (S Thomas 70), B Thompson, H Pugh, S Evans (E Lloyd 70), W Boyde, A Green (L Taylor 73).

Carmarthen Quins – Try: D Morgans; Con: C Evans; Pens: C Evans (2).

Ebbw Vale: D Haymond; D Williams, N Preece, A Jones (I Smerdon 65), C Leversley; D Langdon, C Thomas (T Edwards 74); R Jones (I George 65), J Franchi (M Williams 45), G Robinson (L Bridges 74), D Hudd (capt), A Sweet, R Clarke (R Kynes 43), C Regan, L Crocker (H Keddie 43).

Ebbw Vale – Tries: C Regan, R Kynes; Con: D Langdon.

Referee: Gwyn Morris (WRU)

Argus star man: Damien Hudd (Ebbw Vale)