Lowly Caerphilly gave Bridgend a huge fright at the Brewery Field before the home side snatched a 33-24 victory from the jaws of defeat with two late tries.

In a roller coaster second-half the lead changed hands four times and Caerphilly led by a single point with two minutes to go only to concede two late scores to Bridgend.

Caerphilly used their Tongan winger Taumo Taufahema as a one-man battering ram in the early stages. Three times inside the first 10 minutes he split the defence.

Following the third of his runs, Geraint Lewis went over for a try in the corner, Luke Richards converting.

Lewis followed up quickly with a second try and Richards added the conversion again to put the visitors 12-0 ahead.

It was 20 minutes before Bridgend were able to mount a decent attack.

Cerith Rees got them on the scoreboard with two penalty goals and Welsh international prop Christian Loader popped up on the wing to register a try for the home side just before the interval.

Two minutes into the second-half international centre Gareth Thomas found his way to the try line. Rees' conversion put Bridgend in front for the first time at 18-12.

Caerphilly regained the lead in extraordinary fashion. Richards made a classical outside break and kicked ahead rather than going it alone. He was obstructed in the race for the follow-up.

The incident was not seen by referee Phil Fear but most certainly noticed by touch judge Nigel Williams.

The referee accepted his advice and awarded Caerphilly a penalty try, Richards converting. Caerphilly were back in front at 19-18.

Loader went over for his second try following a charge by the Bridgend forwards but then Lewis claimed his third try for Caerphilly.

With the score 24-23 in favour of the Castlemen, the stage was set for a grandstand finish.

Bridgend replacement Craig Warlow dropped a goal and Gareth Thomas scorched over for his second try, converted by Warlow.

It was a cruel ending for Caerphilly who looked as if they were going to snatch only their second victory of the season.