Tuipuloti scored Ebbw Vales first try

Swansea 21-17 Ebbw Vale

Swansea escaped from a sticky situation as they came from 12 points down early in the second half to collect a laboured victory.

Their win was largely down to the tactical control of Gavin Henson, who used the wind to his back well, managing to kick 11 of Swansea 21 point haul.

Ebbw Vale will feel hard done by to leave St Helens with the defeat despite out scoring the home side by three tries to one.

Kati Tuipuloti crashed over early on in the first half as Ebbw took the game to Swansea.

Having not won at St Helen for many a game, they produced two fine tries either side of half time.

Rhys Shorney's darting run was followed by Scott Mitchell's effort.

Match details Swansea (5) 21 Tires: R Jones, R Francis Cons: Henson Pens: Henson (3) Ebbw Vale (12) 17 Tries: K Tuipuloti, R Shorney, S Mitchell Cons: M Meenan

In unsympathetic conditions, both sides were forced to scrap for ball in what was a close fought contest.

Swansea replied to Ebbw Vales tries with Rhodri Jones making a wonderful solo run and a Richard Francis converting from a forward drive.

However, the All Whites will be thankful for the form and awareness of their gifted outside-half Gavin Henson.

His kicking was top quality in very strong winds and he punished Vale when it mattered.

After the game coach John Collolly praised his Wales under-21 star but said he needs more consistency.

"Gavin played well at times. The problem is that that he plays between the high bar and the low bar.

"He's got to flatten out his game a lot more. He can do some magnificent things but also play at the other end of the spectrum," he said.

"He's aware of that and he will continue to work on it. I'm glad that we did what we had to do, it wasn't a great game but we came back strong."

Swansea: Swales, J. Vaughton, Winn, Gibbs, Payne, Henson, R. Jones, Pope., Balshen, Dorsey, J. Thomas (capt), Farley, Colclough, Bater, R. Jenkins.
Reps: Cordingley, A. Thomas, Robinson, C. Wells, Morris, Slade, Francis.

Ebbw Vale: Meenan, Wakeley, Shawley, Matthews, A. Bevan, Mitchell, Shelbourne, Black, Phillips (capt), M. Jones, Billen, Sidoli, Thomas, Tuipulotu, T. Morris.
Reps: P. Jones, Crawford, Booyse, Gay, Betts, Bingham, L. Roberts.