Rugby Notes

Ebbw Vale saw off a robust challenge from Llantrisant yesterday to go through to the last 32 of the Konica Minolta Cup.

They won out 46-13, and led from the very first minute. A cold, frosty day and a muddy pitch ensured a good, old-fashioned cup game. A physical game saw both teams adopt a brawn over brains approach, with the rolling maul much in evidence.

Draw for the next round will be held in secret sometime next week.

Scorers: Two tries for Ian George, a hat trick for Simon Hunt, fresh back from representing England in the Dubai Sevens, and also tries for John Bowd, Bryan Shelbourne and Rob Lewis. One conversions for Bryan Shelbourne and two for Aaron Bramwell.

Man of the match: Rhys Williams. Simply everywhere.

Highlight: In the crowd, Gareth, freshly returned from Africa, was wrapped up in 9 layers against the far-from-tropical weather. Bitter, mun.

Elsewhere, there was no giant-slaying - all of the Premiership teams got through, although Tredegar came very close to toppling Aberavon, going down 24-29.