Wanderer Jones singing in rain at Ebbw Vale

Apr 21 2008 Western Mail

Ebbw Vale 13-13 Glamorgan Wanderers

A PENALTY from second-choice kicker Rhys Jones in the last minute gave Wanderers an unexpected point at a wet and windy Eugene Cross Park.

“Not many teams come up here and take away league points,” pointed out their coach Richard Hodges.

For Vale coach Patrick Horgan, it was a lost opportunity to register their 17th league win in a successful season.

Conditions dictated that it should be a forwards’ game with a great deal of catching and driving, of rolling mauls and of stoppages for removal of mud from eyes.

Former Wales Schools prop Nathan Trevett scored the only try of a searching first half.

James Thomas, scorer of an earlier penalty, converted to put Wanderers in the driving seat with an interval lead of 10-6.

That was how the score stayed until midway through the second half, when Rob Lewis did a reasonable impression of Wales flanker Martyn Williams galloping over to score in the Grand Slam match against France.

The Wanderers defence obligingly opened up in inviting fashion and Lewis was over in a flash.

Scrum-half Bryan Shelbourne, with two penalties already to his name, stepped up to slot the conversion and to give Vale what seemed to be a deserved victory.

An infringement allowed Jones, taking over as kicker from Thomas, to display a cool head and ensure that a point would go back to Ely ahead of their Konica Minolta Cup semi-final with Neath.