photo by Ian Lovell

The Neath Port Talbot Steelers pulled off the first surprise of the 2007 Co-operative Welsh Conference Premier play-offs turning over the Torfaen Tigers 24-20 at the Memorial Ground in Pontypool.

The Steelers made their intentions clear from the start as Dean Scully hit the ball at speed five minutes into the game sliding  in for the first try.

The Tigers hit back with a typical jinking run from Wales A international Jason Hill who darted over in the corner.  Chris Coombs added a drop goal for the Steelers before Craig Sulway scored to give the home side the lead for the only time in the game.

with a drop goal before the break and then kicked on in the second half to secure the win.

In Newport the Titans powered through to a home tie in the pla-off semis with a hard fought 14-6 playoff win over Cardiff, breaking a sequence of three straight defeats by the Demons and avenging a playoff loss back in 2004.

Newport had the lion’s share of the attacking in the opening exchanges but the Demons slowly worked themselves into the game. The tight affair was decided by a Chris Vitilani power run from two metres out with Lloyd Whites extras sealing it.

The Valley Cougars turned on the style at Blackwood an ran out 40-10 winners which more than overturned the result from the same fixture last weekend.

The play off semi finals will now take place on 28th July kicking off at 2:30pm:

Blue Bulls v Valley Cougars.
Titans v Steelers

Todays full reports here