Blaina kept their trophy treble dreams alive in the most dramatic of fashions as they beat Abercrave 18-17 to claim the ‘Go Compare Road to Principality 2026’ Division 1 Cup title at Principality Stadium.
In an enthralling affair, the Lambs’ late onslaught at the home of Welsh rugby proved to be enough as they handed the top of the Division 1 West Central side a devastating defeat. Blaina, who are celebrating their 150th anniversary season, claimed the spoils in front of a noisy travelling support.
At the death, following a last gasp catch and drive, wing Regan Watkins, who is playing his first season of senior rugby, scored to seal Blaina’s finest victory in their illustrious history. It also took away some of the pain following their narrow miss in the Division 3 Cup final in 2024 against Cardiff Quins.
That encounter could have been a different story had a last gasp line out close to the line gone the right way. This time around they were able to gather in the lineout possession to seal a famous victory in an enthralling affair in the Welsh capital.
Accompanying Watkins’ late score was hooker Daniel Wall’s effort, while there were eight points from the boots of both Richard Powell and Adam Tetley.
The Gwent Valleys side started strongly out of the blocks and seized early control of proceedings. Darren Hodge was penalised for a late hit on Powell, and vice-captain Tetley calmly slotted the opening points of the final.
Steffan Castle, who was positioned at fullback, levelled proceedings after 12 minutes with the first of four penalty kicks. In an opening period where both sides showed great attacking intent, neither could find a way through to the whitewash, with strong defence from both sides.
Blaina then had an opportunity to regain the lead, but outside-half Powell from distance wasn’t able to add the three points. As the first quarter went on with points coming at a premium, Castle put Abercrave into the lead for the first time in the contest.
Discipline was proving to be costly for the Lambs, and following being penalised around the breakdown, Castle continued to shine from the tee as he put his side into a six-point lead before the half-hour mark.
Castle was looking to add to his points tally on the 36-minute mark, as he attempted a drop-goal but had his shot miss the uprights. Then, following a substantial period of pressure on the Lambs’ defence, second-row Craig Price broke through and put Aber metres from the whitewash.
From close range, hooker Nick Evans powered his way over before halftime as Abercrave went into an 11-point lead at the interval. However, just like the opening 40 minutes, Blaina began brightly in the third quarter.
Following regaining possession, winger Matthew Powell showed great pace in the wide channels. Aber were then penalised inside their own 22, and the resulting penalty kick into the corner proved to be the catalyst for the Gwent Valleys side’s opening try.
Hooker Wall scored from the catch and drive as Powell, who was celebrating his 60th appearance for the club, added the extras to reduce the deficit to four points.
If it wasn’t for a strong defensive showing from the top of the Division 1 West Central side, Blaina’s bright start to the second half could have resulted in regaining the lead.
That positive start was soon chalked off, as scrum-half Carl Brimble was shown a yellow card for a high hit on his opposite number, Cellan Davies. Now with the extra-man advantage, Castle comfortably put Aber seven points ahead after slotting yet another penalty kick on 56 minutes.
Despite that, outside-half Powell then brought proceedings back to within four points before the hour mark following a penalty kick as Blaina started to grow further in confidence. Aber then found themselves down to 14 men as top performer Price was shown a yellow card, but the Lambs were still unable to further reduce the deficit.
Whilst not having the numerical advantage, Aber, in the closing exchanges, had an opportunity to regain their seven-point lead, but from a considerable distance, Castle’s attempt was short.
A late onslaught from the Lambs proved to be a fitting conclusion to the encounter, as, following a break-up the touchline from replacement Jonathon Daniels, Aber were soon penalised. Then, from the kick into the corner, Watkins crossed from the driving maul to steal the victory at Principality Stadium.
Scorers: Blaina: Tries: Dan Wall, Regan Watkins; Con: Richard Powell; Pens: Adam Tetley, Richard Powell. Abercrave: Try: Nick Evans; Pens: Steffan Castle 4
TEAMS
Blaina: Kallum Rosser; Matthew Powell, Adam Tetley, Cobi Edwards, Regan Watkins; Richard Powell, Carl Brimble; Ieuan Robins, Dan Wall, Morgan Davies, Adam Lane, Michael John (captain), Mason Coughlin, Ben Cooper, Luke Harwood
Reps: Joe White, Rob Samuel, Richard Jones, Kian Hayman, Corrie Thomas, Andrzej Wielchowski, Jack Griffiths, Jonathon DanielsAbercrave: Steffan Castle; Curtis Griffiths, Rowan Lovering, Connor Hughes, Cellan Lloyd-Davies; Darren Hodge, Cellan Davies; Kelvan Ashby, Nick Evans, Cellan James, Carwyn Owen, Craig Price, Luc Gwilym, Mackenzie Clayton, Jon Hapgood (captain)
Reps: Kyle Jones, Keelan Marney, Owen Pritchard, Ben McPhail, Keiran Ashby, Tyler Lewis, Dewi Pritchard, Joel Williams
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