Luke Richards booted Caerphilly to victory at league basement Ebbw Vale while a stubborn defence provided the visitors with a match-winning platform.

With a strong wind and driving rain at their backs Nathan Budgett led the way as Ebbw Vale played the opening stages deep inside opposition territory.

Caerphilly were penalised, but Jason Strange could not carry on where he left off against the same club a week ago - with 10 successful kicks on that occasion - and his attempt was well short.

A second effort was better and Vale moved into a three-point lead, only for Richards to equalise immediately with a similar score.

Full-back Justin Richards joined in a strong attack on the Vale line that ended in him giving a scoring pass to flanker Gareth Jones for the first try of the match, Richards converting.

Ebbw Vale suffered a set back when Welsh international flanker Budgett went off injured, to be replaced by Stean Williams.

Heroic

Strange reduced the Caerphilly lead to one point at the interval with two long penalties and although the home side pressed hard they found themselves up against a firm-tackling defence.

Budgett returned to the fray at the beginning of the second half, his trademark bald head heavily covered.

Vale camped inside the Caerphilly 22 for long periods in the third quarter, but the Castle men tackling heroically until Mark Jones finally crashed over from close quarters for a try converted by Strange.

Richards then pulled back three points with a well-struck penalty and a second brought the scores level.

A dropped goal attempt from the same player sailed just wide of the uprights and then two more penalties from Richards put the game beyond Ebbw Vale.

Scorers - Ebbw Vale Try: M Jones. Con: Strange. Pens: Strange 3.

Caerphilly: Try: G Jones. Con: Richards. Pens: Richards 5.

Att: 2,150

Teams - Ebbw Vale: P Matthews, S John, R Shorney, J Hawker, A Wagstaff, J Strange, R Smith, I Thomas, L Phillips, D Penisini, C Billen, D Jones, N Budgett, G Green, M Jones (capt).
Replacements: A Phillips, B Morris, N Edwards, S Williams, G Betts, S Connor, A Harris.

Caerphilly: J Thomas, G Evans, N Boobyer, Hawkins, Lewis. Richards, Jacobs, Bolton, J Hughes, G Thomas, N Jones, N Watkins, G Jones, Mocoluto, A Williams.
Replacements: Hooper, John, Strong, Workman, Fitzpatrick, Manning, I Jones.

Referee: Clayton Thomas