EBBW VALE kept their hopes of securing a top eight place in the Principality Premiership alive after chalking up a nail-biting victory over Cardiff, writes Geoff Champion.

The Steelmen leapfrogged their visitors into eighth after taking the spoils and the champions will have another tilt at the title if they can beat Cross Keys at Eugene Cross Park next weekend.

The crucial moment came two minutes into injury time at the end of the match when Vale’s dominant scrummaging, quite obvious throughout the game, earned them a penalty try to recapture the lead.

The home side’s impressive number eight Harrison Keddie also crossed for a touchdown soon after the restart, while fly-half Josh Lewis collected 14 points by kicking four penalty goals and a conversion.

Cardiff No.10 Gareth Thompson and wing Ceri Young scored smart tries for the visitors whilst Thompson also kicked two penalties and two conversions for a personal tally of 15 points.

The Arms Park men almost grabbed the victory deep into injury time as they camped on the home line but will be disappointed that they had three men – skipper Joe Tomlinson, lock James Murphy and prop Corey Domachowski sent to the sin bin at various stages. Vale wing Nathan Preece was also shown a yellow card at the end of the first half.

Cardiff and Wales under 20’s centre Harri Millard was prominent in the early exchanges, first wrong footing the home defence with a weaving run and then putting in a dangerous rolling kick to the corner flag. Ebbw Vale were awarded a penalty after a powerful scrummaging drive and Lewis was on target with his 40 metres kick at goal in the 10th minute.

Cardiff hit back eight minutes later when Thompson charged down Dai Langdon’s attempted clearance kick and pounced for a try which he also converted to put his team 7-3 ahead.

Lewis cut the deficit with his second penalty after 23 minutes. Home centre Preece and Cardiff skipper Tomlinson both ended up in the sin bin for separate incidents but Thompson enabled Cardiff to take a 13-6 interval lead by kicking two further penalties.

But that superior Vale scrummaging by the front row, in which Ross Jones was outstanding, led to that vital penalty try and eventual victory for the Steelmen.

Ebbw Vale: D Haymond; S Majkic, N Preece, D Langdon, C Duncan; J Lewis, D Jones, (C Thomas 53); R Jones (I George 67), J Franchi (J Bowen 70), G Robinson (R Sevenoaks 67), J Davies (D Rubasniak 63), D Hudd (capt), R Clarke, R Kynes, H Keddie.

Tries: H Keddie, Pen try; Con: J Lewis; Pens: J Lewis (4).

Cardiff: C Rees; C Young, L Chalk, H Millard, K Beal; G Thompson, P Cowley (T Slater 70); C Domachowski (R Carre 75), J Tomlinson (capt), B Leung (A Rees 62), J Davies, J Murphy, L Crocker, M Sieniwaski, C Dolan.

Tries: G Thompson, C Young; Cons: G Thompson (2); Pens: G Thompson (2).

Ebbw star man: Ross Jones

Referee: Rhys Thomas (WRU)