EBBW Vale achieved another handsome win as they played some exciting rugby to see off Bedwas 47-24, writes Ian Golden.

And following wins for Bridgend and Llanelli, Bedwas are now in serious danger of automatic relegation.

The Ravens have two games in hand on the Wass, and have to face already-relegated Bargoed and Cross Keys, whilst Llanelli will expect to get maximum points in their last game at home to Neath.

Bedwas in contrast, need to really get maximum points out of Aberavon away and Swansea at home, both of whom will be difficult prospects.

The visitors knew they quickly needed points on the board so when they were awarded a fourth minute penalty, Joseph Scrivens kicked superbly from 40 metres out.

Ebbw regained the ball from kick-off following a lapse in the Bedwas line and, after winning a scrum, Stefan Thomas scored their first try, neatly slipping over on the wing following a fine passing move. Rhys Jones’ conversion attempt hit the post.

Bedwas hit back straight away, Craig Hudd slipping through to ground in the corner with Scrivens converting well.

But Ebbw hit back on 29 minutes. It was an outstanding run from Dafydd Howells who slipped his markers well to place the ball in the corner. Rhys Jones was given another tricky conversion to attempt but he booted it superbly to bring up a personal tally of 250 points for the season and give his side a 12-10 lead.

Bedwas had the chance for a try back before half-time, but winger Will Talbot-Davies mishandled on his aim to sprint to the line.

They were made to pay for the missed chance. Ebbw won the scrum and, using their phases to move up the field well, Paul King slipped through to place the ball just wide of the sticks with Rhys Jones easily converting to put them 19-10 up at the break.

The nail in Bedwas’ coffin for the match, and potentially their season, came six minutes into the second half when Adam Williams saw yellow.

Ebbw scored two tries during that ten minute period. Luke Garrett found a gap following the penalty and Rhys Jones converted.

Then Dafydd Howells sprinted half the length of the field and placed the ball under the sticks for Rhys Jones to easily improve.

Replacement Dawid Rubasniak put the icing on the cake for Ebbw just five minutes after he came on, scoring his side’s sixth of the day, with Rhys Jones converting to bring up 40 points.

The mercurial Howells strolled over for his hat-trick with six minutes remaining with Rhys Jones again kicking well.

Rubasniak and Ross Jones were both sent to the bin in the last five minutes and Bedwas took advantage.

Dale Rogers and Lewis Bowden went over for consolation tries, with Jacob Chilcott converting both.

Ebbw Vale: D Haymond, D Howells, P King, A Owen (J Lewis 66), S Thomas (L Shore 64), Rhys Jones, S Ireland (M Flanagan 54), L Garrett (Ross Jones 64), J Franchi (R Francis 51), R Sevenoaks (M Davies 51), K Parker, A Sweet (R Clarke 54), C Regan, L Evans, L Young (D Rubasniak 64).

Scorers: Tries - S Thomas, D Howells (3), P King, L Garrett, D Rubasniak. Conversions - Rhys Jones (6)

Bedwas: T Benjamin, D Smith, T Hoppe (L Bowden 52), A Williams, W Talbot-Davies, J Scrivens (J Chilcott 58), L Crane (R Harries 59), B Toms (T Devine 54), A Rees (M Dacey 61, A Rees 77), R James (R Hutcherson 54), C Hudd, J Davies, J Richards (G Allen 52), J Armitage (D Rogers 51), N Hudd.

Scorers: Tries - C Hudd, D Rogers, L Bowden. Conversions - J Scrivens, J Chilcott (2). Penalties - J Scrivens

Ebbw Star Man: Dafydd Howells