Shelbourne is Steelmen’s star amid a flurry of cards

Apr 28 2008 Western Mail

Ebbw Vale 29-12 Cross Keys

KEYS lock Ashley Sweet was red-carded for allegedly stamping on centre Kristian Owen’s head, writes George Williams.

He was sent off after 59 minutes with Vale 26-12 ahead.

Four other players had yellow cards – Vale prop Marc Jones and Keys’ scrum-half Ryan James, flanker Geraint Gladwyn and No 8 Rhys Peebles.

Three of Vale’s four tries came with the visitors down to 14. Their final try, by wing Simon Hunt after 50 minutes, saw both Jones and Peebles in the sin-bin.

Vale head coach Patrick Horgan said: “We should have scored more tries, but we avenged December’s ll-l0 defeat at Pandy Park.”

Keys’ forwards coach Greg Woods said: “Every 50-50 decision seemed to go against us, but all credit to Vale.”

Slight consolation for Keys was that their two tries, from full-back Leon Andrews and wing James Leadbeater, were both outstanding.

Outside-half Bryan Shelbourne, who finished with 14 points, intercepted from more than 30 metres out for Vale’s third try as they took a 19-12 interval lead.

Andrews appeared to knock on with the line at his mercy after Sweet’s dismissal, and that virtually ended Keys’ hopes before Shelbourne’s late penalty.

Ebbw Vale: Tries – R Wilkes, A Bevan, B Shelbourne, S Hunt; cons – Shelbourne (3); pen – Shelbourne.

Cross Keys: Tries – L Andrews, J Leadbeater; con – S Sneddon.

Principality man of the match: Bryan Shelbourne (Ebbw Vale).