Caerphilly save their best for last in Eugene Cross Park loss

Jan 28 2008 by Anthony Woolford, South Wales Echo

CAERPHILLY earned the plaudits at Eugene Cross Park as they fully stretched Premiership title hopefuls Ebbw Vale.

If they had started the match as they finished it, the visitors could have made a real fist of it but a whirlwind opening by Vale dashed hopes of an upset.

Five successive wins going into the match has elevated the Virginia Park club to third spot in Division One East and they still have an outside chance of being involved in the promotion showdown.

With one of the finest set-ups outside the top tier, they would be a welcome addition to the Premiership but their ambitions may have to wait another season.

It was after they found themselves 19-0 down at the interval that the Cheesemen made an impact, scrum-half Rob Phillips going over for a try which was converted by Nathan Gittings.

But the damage had already been done, especially in the opening three minutes when Vale left wing Andrew Bevan went over twice to shell shock the Cheesemen.

Both tries were added to by Aaron Bramwell, giving the hosts a 14 point cushion they never relinquished.

Another cruel blow hit the visitors when home captain and No.8 Will Thomas crashed over for an unconverted try two minutes into first half added time.

The Premiership side regained their composure following Phillips’ touchdown, Bevan scything through to record his third try and centre Greg Roberts added another shortly after. Bramwell converted Bevan's try.

To their credit, the visitors were not going to bow out meekly and to the delight of their travelling fans Lee Mullane went over with two minutes remaining, Gittings adding the conversion.