Needing to take at least one point from this game to ensure playing in the European Cup next season, Bridgend made sure of a maximum return despite a spirited late fightback by the home side.

The visitors got off to a spirited start at Virginia Park, taking an early lead with a Craig Warlow penalty.

With his forwards supplying some quick ball, fly-half Warlow worked hard to release his backs and John Devereux made a great deal of ground before being hauled down.

With massive pressure being exerted at this stage, back came the ball again and Warlow himself crossed for the third try of the match, but he was unable to convert.

Luke Richards by comparison had few opportunities and was generally well policed. When he did get Geraint Lewis away down the left wing the former Pontypridd player found himself isolated.

The comparisons with Bridgend were self evident. Away went their heavyweight back division once more for Gareth Jones to crash over for a second unconverted try.

At this stage Caerphilly were down 0-13, but then began a spirited fight back by the home side. Richards dropped an opportunist goal and this seemed to put life into the whole of his team.

David Hawkins ran strongly for a touchdown and Richards added the conversion points.

When Richards put over a long distance penalty goal and followed up immediately with his second drop-goal Caerphilly had sneaked into a 16-13 lead.

With the last kick of the first half Warlow brought the scores level at 16-16 with a penalty.

Following attention to an injured shoulder, Warlow was again the mainspring of the Bridgend attack when the second half commenced and he immediately struck with a fine solo try converted by himself.

Caerphilly got back on equal terms with an excellent try. A long pass from Justin Thomas found Lewis making ground and his inside pass was picked up by Roddy Boobyer.

The centre went over near the posts to make Richards's conversion kick easier.

A third Warlow penalty gave Bridgend another three-point cushion.

But Caerphilly were far from being a spent force and it took strong defence from Josh Taumalolo to prevent Lewis scoring in the corner.

It was Bridgend who applied most of the pressure in the closing stages. They finished as they had started, with a particularly strong performance coming from the forwards.

Replacement Shaw Van Rensberg went over for a late unconverted try that assured European Cup rugby for the Brewery Field side next season.