Aber Valley Wolves lost out to Bridgend Blue Bulls in the South Wales Grand Final, losing 33-30 in a classic at Taff’s Well RFC on August 17.
The Senghenydd club topped the league in their first season in the competition and are the only side to have beaten the Blue Bulls.
The Wolves’ Lewis Bowden blew an early chance as he went into touch early in the first-half but made up for it minutes later when he scored after a penalty. Alun Ford converted to put them six up.
Owen Thomas replied for Bridgend with an effort under the sticks that Gareth Howells converted.
Dale Wood scored the Blue Bulls’ second try soon after, going over close to the posts for Howells to convert.
But the Wolves equalised after a kick from Alun Ford led to Josh Edge pouncing onto the ball over the try line and Ford converted making it 12 all.
Bridgend again took the lead when Gareth Howells converted his own try to take the score to 18-12 and seconds later kicked a drop goal to take the gap to two converted tries.
It could have been more but Mitch John’s brilliant run was thwarted by outstanding Wolves defence.
It didn’t take them long to get another with Paul Songhurst grounding at the half-time hooter. Howells missed the conversion to make the score 23-12 at the break.
Bridgend Blue Bulls picked up where they left off when Howells scored his second try early in the second-half which he failed to convert.
Following a yellow card for Bridgend’s Andy Milner, Aber capitalised when Ieuan Alexander grounded the ball and Ford converted.
Lloyd Allen joined his team-mate in the sin bin taking Bridgend temporarily down to 11 men and the player advantage had its desired effect as Aaron Evans crossed the line. Ford converted to take the score within three points.
But Bridgend’s Jamie John scored a converted try minutes later and increased the gap to nine.
Lloyd Paget scored in the next set to keep up the pressure. Ford converted but despite attacks by both teams the Bulls held on for their seventh title in the competition’s 12 year history.
• Match report by Siân Golden