Tonmawr from Division One West will meet Bargoed from Division One East in the semi-final tie, but it was a great effort from Nantyffyllon that almost saw them spring a surprise at the Talbot Athletic Ground of Aberavon RFC. With Tonmawr favourites, Nantyffyllon, from Division Three South-West, gave a splendid performance and the try-count was shared at two each.
Tonmawr, as expected, went straight out in front, when after three minutes the former Aberavon flanker Craig Moses raced clear and fly-half Ben Evans, son of the former Wales and Lions full-back Gwyn Evans, converted.
After 12 minutes Nantyffyllon hit back as fly-half Nathan Healey sent over a fine penalty kick and then Evans and Healey exchanged further shots to leave Tonmawr 20-6 ahead at the interval. Two minutes into the restart and loose ball saw scrum-half Lee Gunnell snap it up and score for Tonmawr with Evans converting and the fly-half added a smart drop shot after 57 minutes.
Nantyffyllon came back and lively centre Andrew Davies crossed, but was recalled before Aberavon prop Mike Harris burst over for his hometown club. Then came a might Nantyffyllon onslaught that had Tonmawr reeling. First wing Nigel Jones burst clear to be caught by Dave Tieuti and then replacement wing Ryan Thomas and full-back Geraint Mizen were tackled inches short. The final play saw winger Jones cross ans Healey added a superb conversion, but the final whistle sounded with Tonmawr winners.
Tonmawr 20 Nantyffyllon 18
Tonmawr: Dan Blethyn (Gareth Morris 71); Daran Griffiths, Will Price, Micky Evans (Dave Tieuti 25), Ryan Bayliss; Rob Evans; Lee Gunnell (James Donovan 70); James Davies, Adrian Phillips (Rhys Lawrence 66), Aled Hopkins (Steve Kenny 40), Mervyn Meredith (Ben Davies 66), Huw Alford (capt), Howell Davies, Lloyd Thomas, Craig Moses (Andrew Gwynne 42)
Yellow Card: Dan Blethyn
Tries: Craig Moses, Lee Gunnell
Cons: Rob Evans 2
Pen: Rob Evans
DG: Rob Evans
Nantyffyllon: Geraint Mizen; Nigel Jones. Andrew Davies, Ian Morris (Dan Hopkins 67), Alex John (Ryan Thomas 57); Nathan Healey, Gareth Rees (John Phillips 73); Mike Harris, Gary Davies, Neil Dix, Geraint Williams (Craig Walker 30), Richard Neal (Ryan Hosgood 79), Owen Watkins, Ryan Thomas, Dean Edwards (capt)
Tries: Mike Harris, Nigel Jones
Con: Nathan Healey
Pens: Nathan Healey 2
Referee: Wayne Davies (Llanelli)
