Ebbw Vale smash Pontypridd AGAIN

First topic message reminder :

38-12 to the new champions Ebbw Vale. Great to see a new champ and even better that it's a Gwent club. Ebbw are certainly a team to be admired having come up from division 1 not so long ago. Now let's congratulate Ebbw and laugh at Ponty and their fans, the worst bunch in world rugby.

*http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/36290508

When the frig is the Wales A team happening too ?

mikey_dragon wrote:They're going to, aren't they? If we do have A teams I feel that the premiership should be invested in regardless.

I don't think there is the money for both TBH.

For me personally I would have an 10 team WP, played in the summer and ringfenced. Theoretically a summer competition would be better attended that the current competition because it would not clash with the regions/internationals and if marketed correctly, could be made a real family day event in good weather etc. The better weather should result in more running rugby making the games more exciting and could even attract a small TV contract from s4c or something like that. More money into the clubs which should be spent on coaches, kit and decent semi pro players who have a realistic chance to step up to the regions. Club squads also supplemented by academy players etc.

A Vale beat a Valley?

But which of them is lying?

Over to Phil for the answer.

PhilBB wrote:

bedfordwelsh wrote:
Cheers GD, was a great day and great to finally get over the line as even in the days before the Regions were managed a few semi finals and a final but always fell at last hurdle.  There are some really good players coming through again and I hope the Dragons have a look at some of them from time to time.  

Couple of questions:

a) who are you thinking of as 'coming through'?
b) Why only the NGD to have a look at them?

Where in that paragraph did I say Only the Dragons to look at them but given that last time looked Ebbw was still in the Gwent region it seems logical to me.

As for who well given our never ending problems up front prop Ross Jones may well be worth giving a crack to and along with Keddie who has already been added Cameron Regan and Ashley Sweet are others who might be worth looking at.

In the backs Jared Rosser, Steffan Jones and Jordan Howells may all again be worth looking at. if you don't give thees kids the chance (or others at other Regions) then you won't know.

Don't pay him no mind BW. He is happy for his team to spend Peter Thomas' money on having to pay over the odds to get people to join them rather than grow their own.....

GavinDragon wrote:Don't pay him no mind BW. He is happy for his team to spend Peter Thomas' money on having to pay over the odds to get people to join them rather than grow their own.....

Wonder when the squabbling and the bickering in Welsh rugby will end?
I'd start a thread on the subject, but i'm afraid it would lead to further squabbling and bickering. There we are.

Tribalism is part of our DNA. In fairness my comment was meant in jest. I wish the dragons had that sort of investment!

bedfordwelsh wrote:

PhilBB wrote:

bedfordwelsh wrote:
Cheers GD, was a great day and great to finally get over the line as even in the days before the Regions were managed a few semi finals and a final but always fell at last hurdle.  There are some really good players coming through again and I hope the Dragons have a look at some of them from time to time.  

Couple of questions:

a) who are you thinking of as 'coming through'?
b) Why only the NGD to have a look at them?

Where in that paragraph did I say Only the Dragons to look at them but given that last time looked Ebbw was still in the Gwent region it seems logical to me.

As for who well given our never ending problems up front  prop Ross Jones may well be worth giving a crack to and along with Keddie who has already been added Cameron Regan and Ashley Sweet are others who might be worth looking at.

In the backs Jared Rosser, Steffan Jones and Jordan Howells may all again be worth looking at.  if you don't give thees kids the chance (or others at other Regions) then you won't know.

You didn't claim 'only the Dragons' but you only mentioned the NGD. As Ebbw Vale to Llanelli is hardly 'catching a plane' territory, and neither is Ebbw Vale to Coventry, I never understand the mentality that thinks the closest pro team should be the one casting the eye on the player.

Ashley Sweet failed at pro rugby. He's not the benchmark for what is required. He's also 27 so is now too old.

Isn't Rosser in the NGD system already? Is Steffan Jones the winger who played for the Rags?!??!?!?

How old is Howells?

GavinDragon wrote:Don't pay him no mind BW. He is happy for his team to spend Peter Thomas' money on having to pay over the odds to get people to join them rather than grow their own.....

-343,456.92/10 on ratemytroll.com

GavinDragon wrote:Tribalism is part of our DNA. In fairness my comment was meant in jest. I wish the dragons had that sort of investment!

They did, at one time. Then Brown foolishly chose 'regionalism'.

PhilBB wrote:

GavinDragon wrote:Don't pay him no mind BW. He is happy for his team to spend Peter Thomas' money on having to pay over the odds to get people to join them rather than grow their own.....

-343,456.92/10 on ratemytroll.com

Dammit #musttryharder

PhilBB wrote:

bedfordwelsh wrote:

PhilBB wrote:

bedfordwelsh wrote:
Cheers GD, was a great day and great to finally get over the line as even in the days before the Regions were managed a few semi finals and a final but always fell at last hurdle.  There are some really good players coming through again and I hope the Dragons have a look at some of them from time to time.  

Couple of questions:

a) who are you thinking of as 'coming through'?
b) Why only the NGD to have a look at them?

Where in that paragraph did I say Only the Dragons to look at them but given that last time looked Ebbw was still in the Gwent region it seems logical to me.

As for who well given our never ending problems up front  prop Ross Jones may well be worth giving a crack to and along with Keddie who has already been added Cameron Regan and Ashley Sweet are others who might be worth looking at.

In the backs Jared Rosser, Steffan Jones and Jordan Howells may all again be worth looking at.  if you don't give thees kids the chance (or others at other Regions) then you won't know.

You didn't claim 'only the Dragons' but you only mentioned the NGD. As Ebbw Vale to Llanelli is hardly 'catching a plane' territory, and neither is Ebbw Vale to Coventry, I never understand the mentality that thinks the closest pro team should be the one casting the eye on the player.

Ashley Sweet failed at pro rugby. He's not the benchmark for what is required. He's also 27 so is now too old.

Isn't Rosser in the NGD system already? Is Steffan Jones the winger who played for the Rags?!??!?!?

How old is Howells?

Isn't that logical? - you ensure you have the best local talent available in your area and any gaps you look further afield

GavinDragon wrote:

Isn't that logical? - you ensure you have the best local talent available in your area and any gaps you look further afield

The whole of South Wales is 'local'.

How many times must I point this out to Welsh people? Munster is bigger than Wales.

PhilBB wrote:

GavinDragon wrote:

Isn't that logical? - you ensure you have the best local talent available in your area and any gaps you look further afield

The whole of South Wales is 'local'.

How many times must I point this out to Welsh people? Munster is bigger than Wales.

Of course it is. But it is still easier for someone to travel 10 miles to work than 50. Not to mention the pride in representing your own area - or does that not count in pro rugby anymore?

GavinDragon wrote:
Of course it is. But it is still easier for someone to travel 10 miles to work than 50. Not to mention the pride in representing your own area - or does that not count in pro rugby anymore?

It's not easier. It's quicker. And I've no idea if the Ebbw Vale players mentioned live in Abertillery, Abertawe or Arcadia Avenue, Cardiff.

'Your own area' is such a villagist term. Our area is Wales. Not some false section of it that doesn't exist in any reality.

PhilBB wrote:

GavinDragon wrote:
Of course it is. But it is still easier for someone to travel 10 miles to work than 50. Not to mention the pride in representing your own area - or does that not count in pro rugby anymore?

It's not easier. It's quicker. And I've no idea if the Ebbw Vale players mentioned live in Abertillery, Abertawe or Arcadia Avenue, Cardiff.

'Your own area' is such a villagist term. Our area is Wales. Not some false section of it that doesn't exist in any reality.

Easy and quick from Cardiff mind ewe. Only 25mins on the train. Feck knows what it's like for Gwenters getting to Dave, who reside in the outer reaches of their designated area or are off the beaten track. And on a Sunday mostly too!

Cardiff Dave wrote:

PhilBB wrote:

GavinDragon wrote:
Of course it is. But it is still easier for someone to travel 10 miles to work than 50. Not to mention the pride in representing your own area - or does that not count in pro rugby anymore?

It's not easier. It's quicker. And I've no idea if the Ebbw Vale players mentioned live in Abertillery, Abertawe or Arcadia Avenue, Cardiff.

'Your own area' is such a villagist term. Our area is Wales. Not some false section of it that doesn't exist in any reality.

Easy and quick from Cardiff mind ewe. Only 25mins on the train. Feck knows what it's like for Gwenters getting to Dave, who reside in the outer reaches of their designated area or are off the beaten track. And on a Sunday mostly too!

Their designated area is probably Swansea

PhilBB wrote:

GavinDragon wrote:
Of course it is. But it is still easier for someone to travel 10 miles to work than 50. Not to mention the pride in representing your own area - or does that not count in pro rugby anymore?

It's not easier. It's quicker. And I've no idea if the Ebbw Vale players mentioned live in Abertillery, Abertawe or Arcadia Avenue, Cardiff.

'Your own area' is such a villagist term. Our area is Wales. Not some false section of it that doesn't exist in any reality.

So it is fine to have pride in representing a larger area? Well why didn't you say so! We should just form a permanent British national team, no wait, an European team!

GavinDragon wrote:
So it is fine to have pride in representing a larger area? Well why didn't you say so! We should just form a permanent British national team, no wait, an European team!

I love the idea of representing your locality coming from a bloke who works in Bristol.

PhilBB wrote:

GavinDragon wrote:
So it is fine to have pride in representing a larger area? Well why didn't you say so! We should just form a permanent British national team, no wait, an European team!

I love the idea of representing your locality coming from a bloke who works in Bristol.

Gaviney, is this true? I'm shocked. Surely there are jobs aplenty in Gwent you could do?

Who'd have thunk you of all people would go Shaun Holley on us....

Stone Motif wrote:

PhilBB wrote:

GavinDragon wrote:
So it is fine to have pride in representing a larger area? Well why didn't you say so! We should just form a permanent British national team, no wait, an European team!

I love the idea of representing your locality coming from a bloke who works in Bristol.

Gaviney, is this true? I'm shocked. Surely there are jobs aplenty in Gwent you could do?

Who'd have thunk you of all people would go Shaun Holley on us....

Job availability and wage disparity between Newport and Bristol is ridic.

http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/ ... rds_coach/

Good move IMO. Done well with Ebbw's pack and was in his Worcester role for a long time. Not to mention he was a damn good scrummaging prop himself. Also good to see us promoting from within the region.

Would have liked Strange as well mind!

Stone Motif wrote:

PhilBB wrote:

GavinDragon wrote:
So it is fine to have pride in representing a larger area? Well why didn't you say so! We should just form a permanent British national team, no wait, an European team!

I love the idea of representing your locality coming from a bloke who works in Bristol.

Gaviney, is this true? I'm shocked. Surely there are jobs aplenty in Gwent you could do?

Who'd have thunk you of all people would go Shaun Holley on us....

Unfortunately my copious talents were obiously not appreciated in Gwent, or Wales for that matter. I had no choice. I am sorry.

My previous role was in Ebbw Vale though, and before that Newport - does that accrue me any goodwill?

mikey_dragon wrote:

Stone Motif wrote:

PhilBB wrote:

GavinDragon wrote:
So it is fine to have pride in representing a larger area? Well why didn't you say so! We should just form a permanent British national team, no wait, an European team!

I love the idea of representing your locality coming from a bloke who works in Bristol.

Gaviney, is this true? I'm shocked. Surely there are jobs aplenty in Gwent you could do?

Who'd have thunk you of all people would go Shaun Holley on us....

Job availability and wage disparity between Newport and Bristol is ridic.

No sh1t, Sherlock.

Stone Motif wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:

Stone Motif wrote:

PhilBB wrote:

GavinDragon wrote:
So it is fine to have pride in representing a larger area? Well why didn't you say so! We should just form a permanent British national team, no wait, an European team!

I love the idea of representing your locality coming from a bloke who works in Bristol.

Gaviney, is this true? I'm shocked. Surely there are jobs aplenty in Gwent you could do?

Who'd have thunk you of all people would go Shaun Holley on us....

Job availability and wage disparity between Newport and Bristol is ridic.

No sh1t, Sherlock.

Good one. I bet you're CEO of the Cross Keys corner shop?

mikey_dragon wrote:

Stone Motif wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:

Stone Motif wrote:

PhilBB wrote:

GavinDragon wrote:
So it is fine to have pride in representing a larger area? Well why didn't you say so! We should just form a permanent British national team, no wait, an European team!

I love the idea of representing your locality coming from a bloke who works in Bristol.

Gaviney, is this true? I'm shocked. Surely there are jobs aplenty in Gwent you could do?

Who'd have thunk you of all people would go Shaun Holley on us....

Job availability and wage disparity between Newport and Bristol is ridic.

No sh1t, Sherlock.

Good one. I bet you're CEO of the Cross Keys corner shop?

Why would you think that? I don't think there's even a corner shop in Cross Keys

CEO of a shop?

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:CEO of a shop?

Hey if it's his shop he can be whatever the fudge he wants. I see you're in transparent mode again so I'll avoid you today.

Ironically, this is on WOL today

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/business/how-rival-cities-cardiff-bristol-10864640#ICID=sharebar_twitter

bedfordwelsh wrote:
In the backs Jared Rosser, Steffan Jones and Jordan Howells may all again be worth looking at.  if you don't give thees kids the chance (or others at other Regions) then you won't know.

http://www.wru.co.uk/eng/news/36656.php#.V1At6MegOhR

https://twitter.com/dragonsrugby/status/738353543036477444

Nice to see the Dragons twitter starting to get their act together with news.

It would also be nice to see them quoting tweets when fans tweet to say they have renewed, like I have seen on the Blues and Osprey accounts.

Then again, it could be that no bugger has actually renewed

mikey_dragon wrote:

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:CEO of a shop?

Hey if it's his shop he can be whatever the fudge he wants. I see you're in transparent mode again so I'll avoid you today.

What, so if I post on a thread, you're guaranteed not to?

PhilBB wrote:

bedfordwelsh wrote:

PhilBB wrote:

bedfordwelsh wrote:
Cheers GD, was a great day and great to finally get over the line as even in the days before the Regions were managed a few semi finals and a final but always fell at last hurdle.  There are some really good players coming through again and I hope the Dragons have a look at some of them from time to time.  

Couple of questions:

a) who are you thinking of as 'coming through'?
b) Why only the NGD to have a look at them?

Where in that paragraph did I say Only the Dragons to look at them but given that last time looked Ebbw was still in the Gwent region it seems logical to me.

As for who well given our never ending problems up front  prop Ross Jones may well be worth giving a crack to and along with Keddie who has already been added Cameron Regan and Ashley Sweet are others who might be worth looking at.

In the backs Jared Rosser, Steffan Jones and Jordan Howells may all again be worth looking at.  if you don't give thees kids the chance (or others at other Regions) then you won't know.

You didn't claim 'only the Dragons' but you only mentioned the NGD. As Ebbw Vale to Llanelli is hardly 'catching a plane' territory, and neither is Ebbw Vale to Coventry, I never understand the mentality that thinks the closest pro team should be the one casting the eye on the player.

Ashley Sweet failed at pro rugby. He's not the benchmark for what is required. He's also 27 so is now too old.

Isn't Rosser in the NGD system already? Is Steffan Jones the winger who played for the Rags?!??!?!?

How old is Howells?

Howells is 22 Rosser is 21 next year.

No one is saying they have to go to the closest team but when all the other Regions have teams in their own catchment area then surely looking on your own doorstep is the obvious place to start, then if nothing cast your net further afield.

PhilBB wrote:

bedfordwelsh wrote:
In the backs Jared Rosser, Steffan Jones and Jordan Howells may all again be worth looking at.  if you don't give thees kids the chance (or others at other Regions) then you won't know.

http://www.wru.co.uk/eng/news/36656.php#.V1At6MegOhR

Not a surprise at all really to some of us.

I thought Gasson was just in the arseguff or something saying he was good to go?

bedfordwelsh wrote:
No one is saying they have to go to the closest team but when all the other Regions have teams in their own catchment area then surely looking on your own doorstep is the obvious place to start, then if nothing cast your net further afield.

Mate, my point is that Llanelli to Newport is still 'doorstep'. South Wales is bloody tiny.

PhilBB wrote:

bedfordwelsh wrote:
No one is saying they have to go to the closest team but when all the other Regions have teams in their own catchment area then surely looking on your own doorstep is the obvious place to start, then if nothing cast your net further afield.

Mate, my point is that Llanelli to Newport is still 'doorstep'. South Wales is bloody tiny.

For travelling workers and supporters, that is far from your 'doorstep'.

mikey_dragon wrote:
For travelling workers and supporters, that is far from your 'doorstep'.

Really?

http://www.theguardian.com/money/2015/nov/09/million-people-two-hours-commuting-tuc-study

http://www.express.co.uk/life-style/life/493116/Commuting-facts-from-around-the-world

41 minutes seems to be an average commute.

It was interesting to see Munster moaning about ticket sales being down because 71% of their support comes from outside Limerick. Munster's land mass is 24,675 km², Wales' is 20,761 km²

Newport to Llanelli even on a good day is almost 2 hours, not 41 minutes.

mikey_dragon wrote:Newport to Llanelli even on a good day is almost 2 hours, not 41 minutes.

Oh come on. It's 90 minutes at a push.

That's nothing. And going through four pro rugby teams in the process. The whole of South Wales is local.

So 180 minutes return journey if you wanted to stay where you grew up. Not to mention travel costs.

GavinDragon wrote:So 180 minutes return journey if you wanted to stay where you grew up. Not to mention travel costs.

Which is pretty normal for rugby players in Ireland, or those in cities.

"Where you grew up" is South Wales, of course.

Remind me of your travel time each day....

PhilBB wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:Newport to Llanelli even on a good day is almost 2 hours, not 41 minutes.

Oh come on. It's 90 minutes at a push.

That's nothing. And going through four pro rugby teams in the process. The whole of South Wales is local.

So, from 41 minutes to 90 minutes ? Quite the difference. The travel infrastructure in South Wales is awful.

Then if you are travelling home from Lllanelli to Newport via train at 2200 for example you are looking at 2 hr 45 min journey

22:01
Llanelli
Arriva Trains Wales
1 hour 39 minutes Calling points
23:40
Cardiff Central
00:30
Cardiff Central
Arriva Trains Wales
16 minutes Calling points
00:46
Newport Gwent

munkian wrote:

PhilBB wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:Newport to Llanelli even on a good day is almost 2 hours, not 41 minutes.

Oh come on. It's 90 minutes at a push.

That's nothing. And going through four pro rugby teams in the process. The whole of South Wales is local.

So, from 41 minutes to 90 minutes ? Quite the difference.  The travel infrastructure in South Wales is awful.

Then if you are travelling home from Lllanelli to Newport via train at 2200 for example you are looking at 2 hr 45 min journey

22:01
Llanelli
Arriva Trains Wales
1 hour 39 minutes Calling points
23:40
Cardiff Central
00:30
Cardiff Central
Arriva Trains Wales
16 minutes Calling points
00:46
Newport Gwent

That's probably why clubs put busses on.......

You do realise that the land mass of Munster is bigger than Wales? South Wales is bloody tiny.

Still not sure what point you are trying to make ? If the transport infrastructure is Poopie it doesn't really matter how small a place is.

Interesting comments from Reardon that Ponty were the only Prem clip opposed to A sides in the B&I Cup. Know your role, FFS.