Aberavon and Cougars reach finals

Aberavon Fighting Irish 44-45 Torfaen Tigers

Torfaen Tigers, the only Welsh team to have ever beaten Bridgend Blue Bulls, will face the Welsh champions in next Sunday's Welsh Rugby League Grand Final at the Brewery Field after a gripping play-off win over Aberavon.

Jason Hill powered over to give Torfaen the lead after five minutes, and Mathew Francombe looked to have followed suit four minutes later but was held up over the line.

Hill went over for his second on 15 minutes but the Tigers lost the ball straight from kick-off after a knock-on and Aberavon's resulting pressure was rewarded with a Mike Healy try.

A Gareth Jenkins field-goal allowed Torfaen to keep possession and this tactic was rewarded on the half-hour when Welsh international Damien Hudd gave them a 17-4 lead.

Aberavon kept in touch when Lee Williams grounded just two minutes later.

Torfaen retained their 13-point advantage after Scott Bendon scored in the 37th minute but Aberavon hit back with an excellent Mark Burke try just before the half-time whistle.

Healy's second two minutes into the second half put Aberavon to within three points, but Torfaen scored two tries in the next five minutes.

Damien Smith scored in the corner and David Davies then superbly caught a bomb to ground.

Burke got his second six minutes later but Torfaen sealed the match with another two quick tries.

Gareth Jenkins got the first after running 40-metres to the line, and after field-goal attempt hit the post, Steven Mayley pounced to give Torfaen a healthy 45-26 lead.

Scott O'Kelly scored with 10 minutes remaining to give the Fighting Irish hope.

Dean Scully added another three minutes later and David Dyer got another in the final play of the match, but time run out for Aberavon.

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Valley Cougars 48-12 Cardiff Demons

Pontypridd's Valley Cougars have qualified for their first ever major final after beating Cardiff Demons in the Shield play-off.

The Cougars will face Newport Titans in next Sunday's final at the Brewery Field.

Cougars took the lead after six minutes. Following a penalty, Karl Thomas powered over on the second tackle. Cummins converted.

Demons hit back just four minutes later. Oliver Hughes sold a beautiful dummy sending the Cougars defence the wrong way and set up and excellent passing move that was eventually finished by Neil Thomas.

Matthew Cripps could have given the advantage back to the Cougars but he knocked on diving for the line.

But they eventually did ground again as Ceri Cummins scored a great opportunist try on the final tackle.

Cariff hit back again when Hughes created the gap once more and sent Lewis Francis away score from 20 metres out.

Mike Regan was sin binned for back-chatting just before half-time and Cougars took advantage of the extra man, scoring through James Allen.

Daz White got a try back for the Demons, scoring in the corner eight minutes after half-time.

Francis could have added another just minutes later but knocked on as he was grounding.

Cougars extended their lead in the 56th minute through a Robert Jones try.

Demons' John Byers was sent off for fighting five minutes later ensuring that the pendulum totally swung the Cougars way.

Cummins kicked a penalty to extend the Cougars lead to 14 points before Christian Wills, Adrian Owen, Karl Thomas and former Demon Jon Breakingbury added long-ranged tries in the last 10 minutes.