Bargoed took the Swalec Championship title with a hard fought bonus point win away at near neighbours Newbridge on April 18.
The Rhymney Valley side remain unbeaten having won 23 consecutive league games, 20 of them with bonus points and caps the most successful season in their 133 year history.
Despite the remarkable season, with 112 points in the table with two games to go, the WRU have not allowed Bargoed promotion to the Principality Premiership next season.
A Bargoed RFC spokesperson said: “The main problem is that the WRU rules require a seated stand for 501, a separate covered standing area for 1,000 and car parking for 200 cars.
“It is disappointing when in many other respects we are a very progressive and well run club providing rugby for upwards of 160 youngsters from seven to 16 years of age, a youth XV, ladies XV and second and first team rugby.
“There are many sides in our league and the Premiership who simply put all their efforts into one squad. So if rugby development was a criterion we’d qualify hands down – and of course we’ve won the league in some style.”
On Saturday Bargoed opened the scoring on 11 minutes. Scrum half James Pizey sniped from the base of a scrum and second row Geraint Edmonds took it on making 30 metres. Neil Burnett linked with Luke Smalley but the winger was forced into touch inside the Newbridge twenty two.
The Blues pinched the Newbridge lineout and a reverse pass from Pizey found Ross Coombes coming at an angle and the big number eight crashed over. Outside half Josh Prosser added the extras.
The home side capitalised on some uncharacteristic Blues sloppiness in midfield and a tap on and pick up by former Bargoed centre Rhys Humphries saw him sprint in from half way to cross under the posts. Kieron Meek converted to square it at 7-7.
Just as the game reached the end of the first quarter, referee Justin Williams of Llanelli yellow carded Bargoed’s influential captain and hooker Leigh Meades for an off-the-ball tackle and the home side took full advantage.
A penalty kick to ten metres from the Bargoed line saw Newbridge take clean lineout ball and a simple catch and drive gave prop Ian George an armchair ride. Meek’s conversion drifted wide in the blustery wind.
Still a man down, Bargoed found themselves defending a scrum five a few minutes later and Lewis Protheroe came off his wing to pack down in the back row.
Bargoed disrupted the scrum but Newbridge managed to work the ball on the narrow side where Protheroe would have been and Dan Mock went over for Newbridge’s third try. Meek converted to make it 19-7.
Bargoed pulled a try back right on the stroke of half-time. Flanker Grant Rogers fielded a high kick and ran back at the Newbridge defence putting in a grubber kick which went into touch 20 metres out.
Bargoed competed and took the Newbridge ball at the throw-in and quick ball put Blues’ centre Darren Humphries through under the posts to cancel out brother Rhys’ earlier score for Newbridge.
Prosser converted to close the gap to19-14 with time almost up. There was still enough time however for Bargoed to claim the restart and force a penalty which Prosser slotted over to make it 19-17 at half time.
Bargoed picked up the pace from the start of the second half but dogged resistance from a feisty Newbridge defence kept them out until the hour mark when Edmonds and flanker Adam Coupe combined before Prosser flung out a long pass for Protheroe to cross at the corner. Prosser’s kick faded in the wind but Bargoed were ahead at 19-22.
The Blues camped in the Newbridge twenty two for long periods but still couldn’t get the breakthrough they needed. Eventually Newbridge lifted the siege and were rewarded with a straightforward penalty in front of the posts which Meek put over to square it at 22-22 with just four minutes left.
Bargoed pressed from the restart and worked their way back into the Newbridge twenty two gaining a scrum 10 metres from the line.
The drive came on and referee Williams ordered a reset when the front rows went up as Newbridge were driven backwards. Another drive and a penalty went Bargoed’s way. Another scrum was called followed by another penalty and yet another scrum. A couple more resets and finally the referee went under the posts to award Bargoed a penalty try and with it the bonus point, the win and the title. Prosser converted and the game ended 22-29.
Bargoed’s chairman Neil Carter was full of praise for the players and coaches after the game.
He said: “This has been a remarkable season. We have won the league in style with virtually the same squad as last season. In fact Newbridge’s match day programme pointed out that seven of our starting 15 today played in the corresponding fixture in October 2011.
“I am delighted that the hard work put in by the coaching team, players and committee have at last delivered the championship title for our supporters who must rank as the best anywhere in Wales, at any level. It‘s just a shame for all concerned that we will not be allowed promotion to the Premiership.”
A WRU spokesperson said: “In order to qualify for promotion into the Principality Premiership, clubs must have attained the WRU’s A Licence which covers on and off field standards. Bargoed did not apply for an A Licence last season.”