Ebbw Vale captain Joe Franchi paid tribute to the club's loyal fans after the Steelmen were blown apart by Llandovery at Church Bank as the Drovers won the inaugural Super Rygbi Cymru Cup 39-7 on Thursday night.
Vale's long wait for a cup final success continues after Euros Evans’ side ran in five tries and they turned the screw in the second half to convert their slender 13-7 interval lead into a dominant triumph, which included 26 points without reply after the break.
It was a bitterly disappointing night for the visitors, who had already completed the double over their hosts in the SRC league programme. In their first cup final since 1998 they simply couldn’t get their hands on the ball enough in the second half.
"It was just one of those days for us, unfortunately," said Franchi.
"We were in the game in the first half but, fair lay to Llandovery, they were clinical. Every opportunity they had [they took]. Every time we missed a tackle they were in behind us and the minimum they would get was a penalty, if not a try."
A trademark driving maul try from the skipper and Evan Lloyd’s conversion made it 7-7 after 25 minutes, but that was as good as it got for the travelling fans.
There is still much for the Steelmen to play for, however. Jason Strange's men are second in the Super Rygbi Cymru table - five points behind leaders Cardiff RFC and two points above third-placed Llandovery with a game in hand on both.
"I would say we've got the best support in the league," said Franchi. "They were fantastic. They probably had to finish work early and they paid their hard-earned money to come and watch us. We had two or three buses, and it says it all about how much the club means to the community.
"The boys feel that and we're just disappointed we couldn't get the result for them. But we've still got plenty to play for in the league and we'll be going for that title, no doubt."
Ebbw Vale are back in action next Saturday, when they host Bridgend. Fifth-placed Pontypool RFC host Carmarthen Quins in this afternoon's only SRC fixture.
