EBBW Vale are through to the semi-finals of the WRU National Cup, but they had to come from behind to beat Bargoed under the floodlights at Bargoed Park, writes Jay Bayford.

The Steelmen have never won the cup but are now just a win away from the final thanks to a three-try blitz in four second-half minutes.

The visitors made a strong start with Dai Langdon narrowly missing an early penalty and Dan Haymond going close to a touchdown, only for a superb last-ditch tackle from James Pizey to deny him.

Bargoed responded well and took the lead with their first chance, Calum Jones gliding the ball between the posts from the tee.

That failed to affect Ebbw as they continued to pile on the pressure and they finally got their reward with Langdon, this time, on target with a penalty.

And the fly half turned the game around a few minutes later with a long-range effort that just made it to the posts.

The penalties kept coming with Jones just falling short for Bargoed with an effort near the halfway line before Langdon extended Ebbw’s lead with a well-taken kick. Jones then failed with another ambitious effort seconds before the break.

The penalty count continued to rise in the second half but the score remained the same until the game’s opening try on 58 minutes.

A powerful driving lineout from Ebbw proved too strong for the Bargoed defence to handle with Lance Randall the last man to get up from the crowd of Ebbw players.

Greg Woods’ men then turned on the style with two quick-fire interception tries. James Lewis was the man who picked up possession both times but was unselfish on the second occasion giving Toby Fricker a free run to the try line.

The Bulls rallied in the latter stages but Ebbw ensured they didn’t add to their tally.

Bargoed: Pen: C Jones.

Ebbw Vale: Tries: L Randall, J Lewis, T Fricker; Con: D Langdon; Pens: D Langdon (3)