Steel men Face Nervous Wait

By Lestyn
May 4 2004

Ebbw Vale's Premiership future lies well and truly in the balance, with the Valleys’ outfit needing fellow Gwent club Cross Keys’ to produce the goods away to bottom placed Llandovery, or fall into the abyss of division one.

Vale endured a frustrating weekend with all results going against them at the bottom. After narrowly slipping up to Swansea last Wednesday 20-21, the Eugene Cross Park based side required at least one of five results to go there way for them to stay. Much to their obvious dismay, only one of those chances remains.

Pontypool and Cardiff ensured Premiership rugby at Pooler Park and the Arms Park respectively next season. Pooler edged out Bedwas 28-20, as the Blue and Blacks ran out comfortable 36-9 winners over Swansea in an unusually one sided game.

On Sunday Llanelli added to Vale’s woe at Carmarthen, gaining an unlikely 19-11 win over the Quins.

Subsequently it all comes down to next Sunday, where Llandovery will be fighting for their lives at home to Cross Keys’ where there is sure to be a strong Ebbw presence among the crowd cheering on the visitors and one of their dearest rivals.

Replacing them, if there is relegation and no last minute WRU intervention, looks likely to be Llanharan, after second placed Maesteg slipped up away at Narbeth.

Premiership Results:

Saturday 01/05
Aberavon 102-5 Caerphilly
Bridgend 53-5 Newbridge
Cardiff 35-9 Swansea
Cross Keys 22-28 Newport
Pontypool 29-20 Bedwas

Sunday 02/05
Carmarthen 11-19 Llanelli