The SRC top-of-the-table clash went clearly the way of Ebbw who now remain the season’s only unbeaten side in the league, writes Huw S Thomas.

The Drovers hang on to second spot, four points behind Ebbw who have a game in hand.

It was a red card moment of madness from Llandovery centre Corey Baldwin that cost his side dearly and was the turning point in a game that up to the 48th minute looked to be going the way of the visitors.

The former Dragons and Exeter Chiefs player, frustrated by his leg being held on the ground, kicked Ebbw’s Evan Lloyd, his boot catching the full back on the side of his head.

There was instant mayhem, the issue resolved on the intervention of assistant referee Craig Evans who informed referee Carwyn Sion of the boot on the face of Lloyd.

Repentant and remorseful, poor Baldwin trooped off in the sobering hope that his obvious contrition and apologies to Lloyd will be in his favour, come the decision on the length of his ban.

At the time of the red card, the Drovers led 22-14 but down to 14 men for another half hour, they simply could not contain waves of persistent pressure as the Steelmen pulled away with another four tries to add to their two in the first half.

In beating the Drovers with maximum points, Ebbw not only went back top of the table but successfully defended the Challenge Shield which they snatched from Llandovery at Church Bank last year.

Akin to New Zealand’s Ranfurly Shield, the “holder’” puts up the Shield for competition in every home game in the regular league season and it will be one almighty task for any club to take it from Jason Strange’s men at Eugene Cross Park.

To a formidable pack of forwards, Strange has now added craft and ambition behind the scrum and they look a far more rounded team than they have been for many a year.

The men from Gwent are yet to lose a home game since the set up of Super Rygbi Cymru in September 2024.

Encouragingly for the Drovers, they had matched everything that Ebbw Vale had thrown at them and with Lee Rees bobbing up everywhere, looked sharp and confident in attack throughout the first half.

Llandovery led 15-14 at the break, well crafted tries from nuggety centre Rhodri Jones and Scarlets wing Tomi Lewis matching home efforts from hooker Ieuan Morris and wing Ewan Bowden.

With fly half Ioan Hughes adding a conversion and penalty against two conversions by opposite number Dorian Jones, the difference between the sides was a single point.

A converted try from replacement Tiaan Sparrow after a yellow card for Morris saw the lead stretch to eight points and visions of a famous away win.

And then with Baldwin off, Ebbw - taking clever advantage of the extra space - stretched Llandovery’s defence to its limit and over went replacement hooker Charlie Manship from close range, centres Dom Franchi and Ethan Phillips out wide and Morris from a driving line out.

The depleted Drovers were out on their feet after a bruising contest but were able and brave enough under pack leader Joe Powell to stop two trademark close range Ebbw line outs in a defiant token of resistance.

Bridgend are the visitors to Church Bank on Thursday night when the Drovers will try and get back on track to keep in touch with leaders Ebbw Vale.

Ebbw Vale

Tries: I Morris (2) E Bowden, C Manship, D Franchi, E Phillips,

Cons: D Jones (5)

Llandovery

Tries: R Jones, T Lewis, T Sparrow

Cons: I Hughes (2)

Pen: I Hughes

Ebbw Vale: E Lloyd; D Thomas, E Phillips (capt), C Davies, E Bowden; D Jones, R Harries;L Garrett, I Morris, A Williams, D Bartlett, C Gregory, J Pope, O Conquer S Parry

Replacements: C Manship, A Court,M Bosanko, A Bateman-Lloyd, L Young, D Buffery, D Edwards, D Franchi

Llandovery: J Davies; T Lewis, C Baldwin, R Jones, Aaron Warren; I Hughes, L Rees (capt); J Morse, C Lewis, G Hawley, C Long, D Alford, G Evans, J Powell, J Evans

Replacements: F Thomas, J Hughes, B Watkins, K Jones, T Sparrow, Adam Warren, J Maynard, G MacDonald