The first half was the Gareth Simmons-Brett Davey show with the blast of referee Simmons' whistle complemented by the accurate kicking of Davey.

The Pontypridd full-back landed six penalties in the first half hour - the first three coming in the opening five minutes - as Simmons clamped down on an indisciplined Ebbw Vale side.

The result - the half produced nothing as a spectacle until the last minute when the visitors' outside-half Ceri Sweeney made the only break of the first period to race 40 metres before sending wing Lenny Woodard in for a try which Davey converted.

Strange effort

Jason Strange kept the Steelmen in the game with two penalties.

After the interval Vale looked a more disciplined side and quickly reduced the arrears with a penalty try converted by Strange after Vale won a line-out on the Pontypridd line, followed by a penalty by Strange.

But Vale allowed Pontypridd captain Paul John in for the game's second try when he picked up at a ruck outside the home 22, side-stepped full-back Jonathan Williams and went over under the posts for Davey to add the extra points.

Vale finished the stronger with their forwards starting to take control, but although Vale looked the better side with the ball in their hands it was too little, too late.

Centre Stephen John managed to go over for an injury-time try which was converted by Shaun Connor.

Scorers - Ebbw Vale: Tries: Pen, John; Cons: Strange, Connor; Pens: Strange 3

Pontypridd: Tries: Woodard, Joh;. Cons: Davey 2; Pens: Davey 6

Teams

Ebbw Vale: J Williams, R Shorney, S John, J Hawker, A Wagstaff, J Strange, R Smith, I Thomas, A Peacock, A Metcalfe, C Billen, D Jones, G Green, T Morris, M Jones (capt)
Replacements: D Pensini, Edwards, G Llewellyn, A Phillips, S Connor, G Betts, R Potter

Pontypridd: B Davey, C Williams, S Parker, J Lewis, L Woodard, C Sweeney, P John (capt), N Tau, F Vunipola, S Cronk, R Sidoli, B Cockbain, M Lloyd, R Parks, D McIntosh
Replacements: R Neville, C Loader, M Owen, J Evans, L Jarvis, P Graham, G Rowlands, J Bryant

Ref: Gareth Simmons