Penallta were crowned Division 1 East champions in front of their home supporters as they won a thrilling 27-18 victory against Rhiwbina on April 4.
They will play the winner of Division 1 East in a play-off for promotion to the Swalec Championship on May 16.
In a great season for the club, the first team have also reached the Silver Ball final, beating Morriston 34-18 in the semi-final on April 8.
Throughout the season Rhiwbina have been Penallta’s biggest rivals, having reached the end of December unbeaten before their Christmas loss to the new champions.
Penallta knew the final hurdle would be the toughest one to get over but after going eight points down within 20 minutes and looking second best everybody was well aware it was going to be another long, tense day.
But they didn’t panic under the constant pressure as Rhiwbina threated their line and showed great defence, epitomised by crunching tackles from Andrew Jenkins, Joe Merriman and hooker Gregg Haines.
It has become a hallmark of Penallta’s play to invite pressure then smash their way out of it with giant tackles and supreme counter-rucking.
Centre Merriman’s counter-ruck in front of Penallta’s own posts to turn over possession when a try was beckoning, was symbolic of the never-say-die attitude.
Despite the lack of territory and possession, Penallta also scored a try from their first foray into the Rhiwbina 22.
From an excellently worked lineout, Matthew Angel crashed over for an unconverted try to put Penallta back in the game.
The last ten minutes of the first half offered Joseph Scrivens a couple of penalties and the young Penallta ten converted both, making the half time score 11-11.
Two more Joseph Scrivens penalties took Penallta into the lead at 17-11, but on the three quarter mark, Rhiwbina scored another excellent try, their classy full back racing into the corner to touch down from a chip kick.
He then converted his own try from tight on the touch line to put Rhiwbina into the lead at 17-18, a nervy moment for the home side.
With the champagne and Division 1 East champions sign at the ready, the Penallta committee were keen to keep the celebratory items well under wraps.
But the nerves were allayed as Penallta finished strongly and settled the game like true champions.
A great clean-out by Geraint Thomas created quick ball and fine hands along the back-line made space for Elliott Keep to dash over into the corner.
Scrivens missed the conversion to allow a smidgen of concern to linger but within moments the brilliant Rhys Stephens finished the match in style by picking a great angle and crashing over from Josh Evans’s well-timed pass for a try that allowed the celebrations to begin.
• Match report by Martyn Rowe of Penallta RFC