They lost out to Pontypool in the Championship cup final, but this league triumph over reigning champions Bargoed, who sit in third place, also doubled as a semi-final victory in the Mid District Cup. They will now meet Brecon in the final at Sardis Road as they chase their first title since 2001.
Steffan Jones dropped a goal to give Bargoed an early lead, but by half-time it was Ystrad who had their noses in front at 13-10. Rhys Truelove also dropped a goal and claimed the man of the match award as he went on to add a conversion and two penalties.
Flying wing Kurtis Williams took his try tally for the season up to 12 with the first home try and Macauley Rowley grabbed the other. Bargoed hit back with two tries, from scrumhalf James Leadbeater and Lewys Lippiatt, and Jones converted them both.
The only problem for Ystrad now is they are due to go on tour to Malta between 18-24 May and still have five league game to fit in as well as the cup final. They host Glamorgan Wanderers on Wednesday and had to Bedwas at the weekend.
Then they have to fit in a cup final rematch with unbeaten Pontypool at home, another home clash with Beddau and a final assignment against Neath at the Gnoll.
Bargoed are now out of the promotion places after Neath won 45-17 at Glamorgan Wanderers to move a point clear of them with two games in hand. Hooker Sion Crocker came up with a first half brace of tries as Neath bagged a bonus point before the break to lead 31-5.
They scored seven tries in all, with Steff Williams converting five of them. Outside half Tommy Taylor and prop Owen Hartnell were among the three home try scorers.
Table topping Pontypool were 61-0 winners at home over Beddau on Friday night having been gifted five points a few days earlier when Bedwas were unable to take a team to Pontypool Park. They now lead Neath by 10 points with four games each left to play.
They have to head to Beddau on Wednesday night, where the home side will be hoping to tighten up their defence after conceding nine tries at Pontypool Park. Duane Thomas scored two and the other tries came from Garin Price, Morgan Lloyd, Mathew Powell, Pat Lewis, Huw Anderson, Amosa Nove and Adam Stratton, with Matthew Jarvis landing six conversions and Dai Langdon two.
Cross Keys fell to their second home defeat in the space of four days as they followed up their 24-18 midweek loss to Ystrad Rhondda with a 44-31 reverse against Cardiff Met at Pandy Park. Two late tries from Walker Price hauled the home side back to within 10 points at 41-32 before the student sealed matters with a penalty.
Narberth just did enough to win at Trebanos, 17-15, while Maesteg Quins also won away from home, winning 34-17 at Ystalyfera. Meanwhile, Bedwas scored seven tries as they won 47-20 at bottom of the table Tata Steel.
