Bridgend cantered to victory over Ebbw Vale, but did not turn the screw after stunning their opponents in the first 20 minutes.

In a frenetic first quarter they raced to a 25-3 lead through tries by Jamie Ringer, Gareth Jones and Tongan Josh Taumololo, who made an emphatic return to his former club.

Outside-half Craig Warlow chipped in with two conversions, two penalties and a drop goal during those 20 minutes.

But Bridgend went off the boil, and it was not until seven minutes before the interval that Warlow increased the visitors' tally with a long-range penalty.

Yellow-carded

A well-deserved try by lively hooker Chris Ferris and another penalty by Warlow put Bridgend 35 points clear at the interval.

Ebbw Vale conspired to create their own downfall shortly after the break when flanker Gareth Green was yellow-carded for a deliberate knock-down from an offside position as Bridgend had the line at their mercy.

Vale fought back bravely with 14 men and it was 25 minutes into the second half before the visitors added to their total with a drop goal by Warlow.

Winger Simon Hill then scored another Bridgend try eight minutes from the end which Warlow converted.

Vale countered with two tries of their own by Rhys Shorney and Shaun Connor right at the death, one of which was converted by Jason Strange to add to his first-half penalty.

Dennis John

Bridgend coach Dennis John was delighted with his side's performance.

"It was a tough encounter, we took our opportunities and kept them out," he said.

John was particularly pleased with his back-row men.

"Jamie Ringer is working really hard at his game and Maama Molitika has always been a quality player," he said.

Injuries concerned the Bridgend boss, however.

"Taumalolo is touch and go and we have a few stitches and cuts," said a concerned coach.

Financial life-line

Off the field there was better news as Vale were thrown a financial life-line by the Welsh Rugby Union, who have agreed to advance payments for their European games.

Earlier in the week, Vale chairman Marcus Russell, had threatened the club would have to withdraw from its European Shield fixtures in France.

But Ebbw Vale announced to spectators at half-time that the WRU had advanced two months of payments for the trips to Perigueux and Dax.

Scorers- Ebbw Vale Tries: Shorney, Connor. Cons: Strange. Pens: Strange.

Scorers - Bridgend Tries: G. Jones, Taumalolo, Hill, Ferris, Ringer. Cons: Warlow 4. Pens: Warlow 3. Drop Goals: Warlow 2.
Att: 1,500

Ebbw Vale: J Williams, R Shorney, S John, G Wiliams, A Wagstaff, J Strange, G Betts, I Thomas, A Peacock, D Pensini, C Billen, D Jones, G Green, M Jones (capt), T Morris
Replacements: A Phillips, Morris, N Edwards, AN Other, M Taylor, S Connor, J Hawker

Bridgend: Bridgend: A Durston, G Jones, S Taumalolo, J Funnell, S Hill, C Warlow, H Harries, R Price, C Ferris, L Mustoe, P Clapham, C Stephens, M Molitika, J Ringer, R Bryan
Replacements: A Griffiths, T Collier, D Niblo, C Hawkins, J Hewlett, D Jones, G Cull

Referee: Nigel Williams (Bryncoch)