EBBW Vale head coach Jason Strange believes the Steelmen have a bright future after praising his side for their courageous performance in the Principality Premiership Grand Final which rattled champions Pontypridd.

Although their bravery and skill wasn't quite enough to prevent Ponty claiming their fourth successive title at their Sardis Road home on Sunday, Ebbw gave the hosts an all mighty scare.

The enthralling game's turning point came in the 32nd minute when Ebbw's loosehead prop John Lavender was somewhat harshly yellow carded after a scuffle saw a Ponty player pushed into advertising hoardings.

With Vale only trailing 11-9 at that stage and on the offensive in enemy territory, it proved to be the zenith of their brave challenge.

With their opponents down to 14 men, Ponty went on to score a killer converted try in the dying seconds of the first half and built up a 23-9 lead before the Steelmen bombarded their try-line in the final quarter.

But they could only cross for a try when it was too late, the game ending 28-14 after the champions scored an unconverted touchdown with the final move of the game to put a gloss on their victory, although it was a thoroughly deserved triumph.

Played in front of thousands of passionate fans, with Ebbw taking around 1,000 of their own magnificent supporters, it was a match tinged with nostalgia as a reminder of what top level domestic rugby was like most weeks in Wales before the advent of regional rugby. "The yellow card was a huge moment," Strange admitted.

"And we needed to score quicker than we did in the last 20 minutes because I felt we could still have turned the game if we had crossed their try-line with a quarter of an hour to go.

"We thought they might have had a yellow card or there could have been a penalty try for us, but fair play to Ponty, you have to give it to them. They are a very good side.

"But I am so proud of the players and the way we played. They showed outstanding commitment and you could see they were anxious at times.

"We played with adventure and took the game to them."

On the high standard of play displayed by both sides and the cracking buzz around the ground, Strange added: "I thought it was a superb advert for the Premiership and there was a cracking atmosphere. Our fans were excellent."

Although it ended in defeat, the season has been one the Steelmen can look back on with immense satisfaction and honour after just their first season back in the top flight after promotion from the Swalec Championship following a four-year exile.

Strange said: "This is a great club and we are in a great position to move on.

"Although we are disappointed to lose the Grand Final, I think we can look back with pride at what we have achieved over the last five years.

"We have stuck to our principles and kept loyal to the same players. They have made a lot of sacrifices and they deserve huge credit for what they have achieved."