Welsh international outside half Arwel Thomas steered Swansea to their second victory in a week by grabbing one of their two tries as he collected a personal points tally of 21.

But the All Whites, who beat Pontypridd 11-6 in midweek, still need to sharpen up their attacking play if they are to retain their Welsh-Scottish title this season.

Badly missing their British Lions, especially flanker Colin Charvis and prop Darren Morris, the visitors made far too many handling errors.

But Thomas was cool throughout, kicking three penalties and a drop goal as well as converting both tries.

The winning try came in the 79th minute from replacement lock James Griffiths who romped over the line after a good bout of passing featuring the forwards and backs.

Ebbw Vale will be bitterly disappointed to have faltered under the heavy Swansea pressure after a rousing first-half display.

Right wing Gareth Cull, a useful recruit from Bridgend, matched Thomas by also bagging 21 points from seven penalties.

Swansea got away to a dream start from the kick-off.

Outside half Thomas charged down a kick from his opposite number Scott Mitchell near the home line and pounced for a gift try, which he also converted.

To their credit, Vale fought back strongly and Cull landed a fine hat-trick of penalties in the eighth, 11th and 15th minutes.

He really brought the crowd to its feet with his third successful kick - a superb effort from a full 56 metres.

Both teams squandered scoring opportunities with careless finishing but Thomas and Cull exchanged penalties in first-half injury-time to make the score 15-10 in the home side's favour at the interval.

Ebbw Vale (15) 21 Pens: Cull 7.
Swansea (10) 26 Tries: A. Thomas, Griffiths. Cons: A. Thomas 2. Pens: A. Thomas 3. Drop Goals: A. Thomas.

Att: 3,500

Referee: D Davies (WRU)

Ebbw Vale: M James; G Cull, R Shorney, D Weatherley, A Wagstaff; S Mitchell, G Betts; I Thomas, L Philips, M Jones, C Billen (capt), N Edwards, K Tuipulto, W Thomas, P Williams.
Replacements: D Penisini, J Evans, P Sidoli, G Evans, K Ellis, P Matthews, N McKim.

Swansea: K Morgan; R Rees, S Payne, G Henson, P Mackey; A Thomas, S Martens; B Evans, C Wells, A Le Chavalier, A Moore, T Maullin, D Thomas, G Lewis, H Jenkins.
Replacements: G Swales, M Brayley, R Jones, G Mason, J Masters, J Griffiths, L Jones.