Caernarfon celebrated the biggest day in their history with a titanic 30-29 victory against Bridgend Athletic in the WRU Division 1 Cup Final in the sunshine of Principality Stadium.
The Cofis took the lead after six minutes when full-back Aled Jones split the posts with a penalty, and he quickly added another to settle early nerves.
Athletic hit back when Jonathan Phillips’ scored his 18th try of the season before the Cofis opened their try account for the afternoon when winger Iwan Roberts showed his strength to reach the try line. Jones’ accurate kicking continued which meant two scores separated the two teams.
Williams edged his side back into the contest with a straight-forward penalty before Athletic hit the front for the first time.
Caernarfon were put on the back foot after a searing break from Jonathan Phillips. Winger Dan O’Sullivan then found a gap to run clear for a converted try.
Midfielder Thomas Devine then put the Cofis back in front to give his side a narrow 20-15 lead at the break.
Against the run of play and down a man due to a yellow card, Athletic stuck first in the second spell when
Phillips collected his own kick to gallop over for his second of the day.
Following Rhys Williams’ successful conversion, the Bridgend club were ahead for the second time.
As Dan O’Sullivan saw his captain score two tries – the winger decided to emulate Phillips’ feat – and following another successful kick from Williams, the ‘Ath’ had scored 14 points with 14 players.
Before Merriman had the opportunity to return to the field, Jones’ left foot managed to pull his team within one score once again and an extremely physical and nervous final quarter was underway.
With just over a quarter of an hour left, Oliver Olds, the Athletic’s fly-half, was penalized for an offense while making a tackle – and so for the second time during the contest the northerners had a man advantage.
Following wave after wave of pressure from Caernarfon, Devine crossed for his second and crucial try of the final and as he landed under the posts – Cameron Thomas used his knee to tackle him – and so the ‘Ath’ were short of a man for the rest of the game.
Jones showed ice-cool composure to add the conversion to put his side back in front and the north Walians gallantly held out for the remaining moments to secured a stunning comeback victory of the ages.