Ebbw Vale head coach Jason Strange believes his side are ready to embrace the biggest challenge of their season when they take on Newport in Sunday’s Super Rygbi Cymru Grand Final at Eugene Cross Park.
After falling short in both the League and Cup semi-finals last year, Strange knows just how much it means for his squad to be playing for the title this time around — especially on home turf.
“It’s going to be a real tough challenge but one that everyone is really excited about,” he said.
“It’s at home and we’ll have a massive crowd and it’ll be a great occasion.”
That excitement is underpinned by a campaign of consistency and resilience by the Steelmen.
Ebbw Vale are yet to lose at home this season, and Sunday marks their 14th outing at the CINER Glass Stadium — a run they hope to cap off with silverware.
Their place in the final was earned in dramatic fashion, as the Steelmen staged a superb second-half comeback against Llandovery in the semi-final, overturning a 16-point deficit to win 29-28.
Central to Ebbw’s success has been outside half Evan Lloyd, whose composed performances and metronomic kicking have put him on the verge of individual honours.
With a 79% success rate from the tee, Lloyd has racked up 187 points and needs just 13 more to hit the 200-mark for the season.
Another 22 would see him overtake RGC’s Billy McBride as the league’s top scorer.
His battle with Newport’s Jac Lloyd — who has kicked 122 points at a 76% rate — could be decisive in an all-Gwent final brimming with key matchups.
But Strange is focused on the collective mindset that has brought his side this far.
Ebbw’s Joe Franchi, their inspirational captain and hooker, leads the try charts with 20 this season.
He’ll lock horns with Newport captain Ben Roach — a model of durability and consistency — who needs just 46 more minutes to become the competition’s most-used player this season and has 11 tries of his own.
The teams have already met three times this season, with Ebbw holding the edge two wins to one.
Both of their victories came at home, including a dominant 44-21 Cup triumph, while Newport’s 40-14 win at Rodney Parade last month showed just how dangerous the Black and Ambers can be.
With nine Gwent derbies already played between Ebbw Vale, Newport and Pontypool this term, home advantage has told in all but one.
For Strange and his men, history, momentum, and home support are on their side — but they know Sunday’s final will demand nothing less than their best.
