Bargoed were denied their second win of the season in dramatic fashion, having fought back from an early two-score deficit against Cardiff in the Principality Premiership East.
It looked like it would be a long afternoon for the Bulls and their supporters when Cardiff scored twice in the first ten minutes.
After full-back Dan Fish had crossed in the third minute, referee Craig Evans deemed Bargoed stopped a driving maul which was heading for the line by illegal means, and awarded the visitors a penalty try.
However, Bargoed are nothing if not resilient this season, and slowly the forwards began to impose themselves with a very strong set-piece.
It was the scrum which provided the platform for the hosts’ first try as the forwards drove and the Cardiff pack were under pressure. Scrum-half James Hallet broke and switched back inside where Ieuan Jones was the grateful recipient to cross under the posts. Mathew Lewis added the conversion and Bargoed had steadied the ship.
The hosts’ resurgence continued with a Lewis penalty on 31 minutes, and the try of the game gave Bargoed the lead shortly before the interval.
Norton had left his wing to hit the midfield with the Bulls taking possession from a lineout just inside the Cardiff half. The big winger punched a hole through the midfield and found centre Jordan Howells on his shoulder.
Howells danced left and right, turning three Cardiff defenders inside out and crossed for a superb score. Lewis added the conversion and the home side took a deserved lead into the half-time break at 17-14.
The second half turned out to be a hugely physical contest with Cardiff trying but failing to break a resolute Bargoed defence. The home side had an opportunity to extend their lead but the penalty kick drifted wide, and there were few scoring opportunities for either side as the game wound down.
With just two minutes left, a breakdown in communication in midfield saw a Bargoed wrap around move go awry.
Cardiff pounced, worked their way upfield, and quick hands put former Leicester Tigers centre Jack Roberts over from short range with replacement back Ben Thomas converting for a 17-21 win.
Bargoed lacked the composure to convert late possession, and had to settle for a losing bonus point.
• Match report by Peter Greening of Bargoed RFC.