Valley Cougars secured their first win of the season in national Conference South as they held off a determined Leicester Storm to win 28-18 on May 17 in Treharris.
Both sides took time to settle before visiting full back Mark Etherington was on the end of a good move to put his side ahead. Oli Furniss added the conversion.
Cougars were back on terms within five minutes as prop forward Jevons forced his way over. Nathan Bruford converted.
Three minutes later Bruford crossed for his side’s second try and then added the conversion. Both defences continued to dominate before Leicester’s loose forward Alex Williams buried his way over, Furniss converting to level the scores.
Cougars were not finished and with half time approaching Ian Newbury was on the end of a good passing movement to put the Cougars back ahead.
Defences continued to dominate the second half before Steve Williams’s cross field kick was expertly plucked out of the air by Cougars winger Mikey Jones who scored under the posts for Bruford to convert.
It looked like Cougars had wrapped up the match with ten minutes left, the Leicester defence mis-handled a high bomb and Mike Hurley pounced on the loose ball to run in from 25 metres.
With tempers starting to fray Leicester had the final say as captain Kane Feek forced his way over. Furniss converted but Cougars were not to be denied and held on for a welcome win.
In the Welsh Conference Premier South, Aber Valley Wolves beat Bridgend Blue Bulls 52-24 at Senghenydd RFC.
• Match report by Ian Lovell