A try count of 15 - 2, a record TotalRL.com Welsh Division score and an individual record for Aberavon's mercurial stand off Richard H Lewis, with 32 points, suggests a totally one sided affair. But the Cynon Valley outfit was brave and tenacious right up to the final whistle especially after facing an injury crisis. For the home side none were braver than the burly Rhys Morgan and Matthew Phillips and in dummy half back Stephen Bray the Cougars have unearthed a playmaker of real quality.

But for all their courage the Cougars were up against a rampant Fighting Irish, whose confidence is soaring after some hugely impressive performances in recent weeks. Inspired by the uncompromising Darren Ryan and skipper Dean Scully in midfield and with ever improving Jason Massey and front row partner Andy Llewellyn leading the charge, there were some ominous early signs.

Tries by Ryan (2) and brothers Dean (2) and Darren Griffith confirmed the worst fears of the watching Abercynon faithful. When Lewis converted all five and added two of his own, which he also goaled with the ease of a player at the top of his game, the Fighting Irish had stormed to an unassailable 42-0 lead at the interval.

Teams with less mettle than the valley based Cougars would have sunk without trace but led by the robust Rhodri Morris the home side staged something of a revival after the break with two well taken tries by Simon Davies and Rob Jones. However the Fighting Irish, with a particularly strong bench, made a number of astute substitutions and seized back control with tries by John Owen, Rob Mellin, Dean Scully and Simon Bailey. The deadly accurate boot of Lewis added the extras to them all to cap a magnificent kicking performance before retiring on the hour mark.

The visitors beefy loose forward Richard Morris and substitutes Laurence Griffith and Dean Jenkins were a constant headache for the Cougars defence and it was inevitable that this would leak further scores.

These came from Bailey and a brace from flying wing Chris Perry, one of which was a length of the field effort that brought generous applause from the home supporters basking in the glorious summer sunshine. The Fighting Irish have now qualified for the Grand Final play off stages of competition.