Division Two West outfit Maesteg had to withstand a late flourish from their Division three South West opponents Kenfig Hill before claiming the SWALEC Plate final with a 33-25 victory.
Kenfig Hill edged in front on 20 minutes when Nicky Giles booming long range drop goal sailed between the uprights.
Maesteg were reduced to 14 men when captain Gareth Edwards was sin binned. Kenfig sensed a chance to make superior numbers pay and went on the charge with lock Thomas Maund making a great break to set up an attack in the opposition 22.
But Maesteg winger Jon Phillips found himself with the ball and counter attacked, relieving the pressure, resulting in a penalty for Robert Evans to equal matters.
Kenfig Hill had a few chances in the first half which had they turned into points, could have seen a different outcome.
It was Kenfig Hill’s turn to go down to 14 men just before half time with flanker Matthew Bater was sent to the cooler. Robert Evans (2) and Giles exchanged penalties before Evans scored a converted try to put Maesteg 16-6 ahead.
Maesteg then put clear daylight between the two sides with a penalty try and a touchdown by openside flanker Ben Howe. With Evans adding the extras on both occasions, Kenfig Hill were 30-6 behind and staring down the barrel of a heavy defeat.
But then Kenfig Hill brought on fresh legs and mounted a spirited comeback. No 8 Derwyn Rees made a lovely chip to allow replacement wing Steve Shalders to touch down in the right hand corner on 73 minutes.
Evans then added another penalty before Kenfig Hill replacement flanker Gareth Harvey got his name on the scoreboard after doing a lot of work to reach the try line, Giles converting.
Then replacement scrum half Tom Briggs scored and Giles converted to make the score a lot more respectable at 33-25.
Scorers:
Maesteg: Tries – Evans, PenT, Howe; Cons – Evans (3); Pens – Evans (4)
Kenfig Hill: Tries – Shalders, Harvey, Briggs; Con: Giles (2); Pen – Giles; Dgl – Giles.
