converts Merthyr Tydfil, beating them at Merthyr on 12 October 1907, this was followed the very next game with their first success over a northern team, a 10-2 victory against Swinton. The Swinton match was played in front of 2000 home supporters, while matches against Halifax in January 1908, and Barrow in February, saw crowds of around 4000. Ebbw Vale finished their first season with 30 games played in the Northern League, six won, two drawn and 22 lost, finishing 26th out of 27 clubs. The 1907–08 season was also notable for the first overseas touring international team to visit Britain; New Zealand's All Golds. The All Golds had already beaten Merthyr in November 1907, and New Year's Day 1908, the team played the Wales rugby league team in the first true international rugby league game between two nations. Played at the Athletic Ground in Aberdare the game was watched by a crowd of 12000. Ebbw Vale supplied two of their players to the Wales team, Chick Jenkins and Oliver Burgham, both men becoming the club's first international caps. On 1 February, Ebbw Vale faced the same touring New Zealand team at their own ground, losing narrowly. On 20 April 1908, Burgham and Jenkins won their second caps with the club in the first Wales encounter with England; and were joined by teammate W.J. Saunders who won his first cap. 1908–1909 The next season saw four more Welsh teams join the Northern Union, and with these additional teams the country was able to form the Welsh League. The League consisted of a home and away game, and the team joining Ebbw Vale and Merthyr were Treherbert, Mid-Rhondda, Aberdare and Barry. In addition the Union promised each team four home and away games with teams from the north. It was an excellent first season for Ebbw Vale in the Welsh League, only losing to Treherbert in the last match of the tournament, when the title was already theirs. Gate receipts rose that season, with the Northern League encounter with Merthyr reportedly watched by 8,000 people; though when Barry failed to show on the 1908 Christmas Day encounter, the club lost an estimated £80 to £90 in takings. Ebbw Vale finished the season, not only the very first Welsh League Champions, but also finished 14th out of 31 teams in the Northern Rugby League, with 12 wins, a draw and 11 losses.