Last season was a good season for Ebbw Vale.
Finishing top of the table, shield winners and reaching the finals in both the cup and play-offs can never be described as anything but superb. However, they are still after more.
“It was a massive goal for us to come away with silverware last year,” said fly-half Evan Lloyd. “We obviously fell short in the cup final against Llandovery and lost to Newport in the play-off final as well."
“It was a bitterly disappointing way to go out on the season, but upon reflection, a hugely successful year for the club, but we're looking for silverware this season.”
Ebbw will start the season defending their place as shield winners against Aberavon, having held the title for the majority of last season.
“I think it was at the start of October that we beat Llandovery away and then held it for the rest of the year, which was massive for us,” said Lloyd.
“Obviously we didn't lose a game at home, but for us going forward now, it's about winning those games away.
“There were one or two games which we slipped up on which we shouldn't have and we just want to build on our home record, going into this year again, and pick up those away wins.
“We played Aberavon first game of the season last year and it was a really tough contest, so for us this year, we’re not underestimating them at all.
“They're going to come up and see if they can take that shield, and it's about starting really well and getting that first game of the season under our belts.”
Dragons wing Harry Rees-Weldon grabbed try of the season off a brilliant Lloyd flicked pass against Newport last term but the emphasis will continue to be on the basics into the new season.
“For us, we want to develop our attacking game, but then it's about going to your roots, to your identity of what you're good at,” said Lloyd.
“It'd be silly for us to start changing the whole way that we play just to fit that brand of rugby which people think is best and is not always the best way of winning matches.
“For us, it's doing all our basics really well. We've gone into the season with a strong kicking game, strong in our set-piece and strong defensively.
“We've brought in a couple of good signings within our back three, a couple of youngsters from local clubs are coming through again which is something which Jason Strange is massive on, building from within and around the club.”
Saturday's game is part of a busy weekend for Lloyd who will also be coaching Dragons U18s as they aim to finish this block with a win another against Scarlets.
Meanwhile, Dragons Academy member Owen Conquer starts at eight against Aberavon this weekend and will be looking to impress this season for the Steelers.
“We’re excited to see boys like Owen,” said Lloyd. “He's obviously very hard working, is someone who's extremely physical, both sides of the ball, and he's someone we want to get on the front foot."
“Now we want to get him up firing, ready to take on the New Year and then hopefully he can build on the good games he's had, both in the SRC and then hopefully if he plays well enough, his aspirations to play for Dragons.”
To do so, Conquer like most young talents, will learn as much as he can by playing alongside club stalwarts such as brother Joe and Dom Franchi.
“In terms of go-to players for us who've been really good over the last few years, you can't look further than our captain Joe Franchi, who's an instrumental leader,” said Lloyd.
“Ryan Jenkins has been really good for us in terms of giving us good front foot ball and then it’ll be good to see Ethan Phillips back after having a torrid year last year in terms of shoulder surgery.
“Cam Davies went really well last term too, had a bit of a breakthrough year in terms of playing 20 to 22 games of senior rugby and we still forget how young he is.
“It’ll be nice to see Cameron and Ethan firing after a good preseason.”
Lloyd is keen to impress that there are many other players who will be crucial as the Steelers bid for more silverware at the end of the 25/26 season.
“We’ve set a lot of goals with the club, the boys, and how aligned from we are from seniors all the way down to our grassroots,” said Lloyd.
“The big thing for us is that one club mentality of being aligned and bringing success in many other ways.
“Ultimately, as a player, success comes through silverwear. We lost in the semifinals two years ago, lost in the finals last year, so we’re just looking to build and go one further and go win them this year.”
We lost in the semifinals two years ago, lost in the finals last year, so we’re just looking to build and go one further and go win them this year.
