Ebbw Vale clinch Championship crown in emphatic fashion

A hat-trick by wing Dan Ajuwa helped Ebbw Vale to the inaugural Championship title with a thumping  66-17 victory that relegated Glamorgan Wanderers on a fine evening at Eugene Cross Park.

Ebbw Vale RFC celebrate winning the Championship 2012/13

Having won the past two Division One East titles, the Steelmen have continued that dominating form this season and charged to the title. It was their 22^nd league victory in 23 matches, with the club racking up more than a century of  league points and passing the 1,000-point mark with their third try of the night.

The result also ends the Wanderers’ stay at this level, and although it had been on the cards for some time it is still a dark day for the famous old club from which they will hope to bounce back soon.

Going in to the match, Ebbw Vale only needed a point to secure the title, and they earned that early on with a succession of tries.

The visitors went ahead with an early penalty through Ed Doe, but the rest of the first half was pretty much one way traffic.

From an Adam Jones break, Polu Uhi crashed over for the first score, which Josh Lewis converted, and within 10 minutes huge pressure on the visiting scrum allowed Dan Haymond to get the second.

Jones got the third to put them 19-3 ahead and, after Lewis again converted, that score saw them pass that incredible points tally in what has been a remarkable season.

The Steelmen weren’t happy with 1,000 points though, and within minutes Gareth Williams crossed to secure the vital bonus point which all but ensured the title. Lewis kicked a remarkable conversion to give the supporters something else to cheer.

Lewis then got his name on the try scorers’ list, running on to a Wes Cunliffe kick to touch down. He converted it to make the half-time score 33-3.

The second half began as the first had ended, as Cunliffe crossed for a try of his own, and then Ajuwa finished off a neat move for his first score, with Haymond adding the extras to make it 45-3.

The Wanderers then reminded their hosts that defence was still required as, with Uhi on the attack, the ball was turned over and full back Mike Stephens touched down for an excellent counter attacking try, that Gareth Cull converted.

But any hopes they had of a mini revival were immediately dashed when Haymond went on the rampage for his second score, which he then converted for 52-10.

The Wanderers again went on the attack, but when they lost the ball Ajuwa went over for his second try, which Haymond again converted to keep his personal points tally ticking over.

The visitors were refusing to lie down though, and winger Josh Hurley got their second try of the evening, with Doe converting to take the score to 59-17 as the match continued to crank up the entertainment on offer.

Ebbw Vale again displayed their ‘Whatever you can do…’ attitude and went straight back on the offensive. Ajuwa was the beneficiary as he completed his hat-trick on a memorable night for both him and the club, Haymond again converting.

Then it was just a case of counting the clock down, and when the 80 minutes were up it was time to toast another league title for the famous Gwent side, while the Wanderers were left to prepare for life in Division One East next season.