Bargoed entertained Treorchy in a Mid District Cup Match in a midweek encounter under the lights at Bargoed Park.
Bargoed made fourteen changes from the side that beat Cross Keys on the previous weekend in a side led by Louis Blacker.
The visitor started strongly and troubled the hosts with a series of attacks in the wide channels that stretched the home defence.
The Zebras opened the scoring when they created space and punished Bargoed with a scything break from Jacob Lloyd to get a try after 6 minutes, converted by Jordan Lloyd
Bargoed were sluggish and pedestrian in attack and struggled to get a foothold against an impressive Treorchy outfit.
Bargoed started to put some phases together but bombed a great chance to score from a line break. However centre Jordan Howells soon closed the gap after 16 minutes to 7-5 as he crossed the whitewash with a chip and chase effort.
Treorchy increased their lead on 21 minutes when Jordan Lloyd slotted a penalty from 30 meters to make it 10-5.
Bargoed missed a penalty and made some poor decisions spurning a kick at goal but failing to score from the resulting line-out.
Bargoed took the lead after 27 minutes when Callum Jones scored a great individual try taking a low pass and dummying to go over, which he also converted, and this was the last score of the half, making it 12-10 at the break.
The home side started well in the second half dominating territory and possession. Bargoed were starting to get the upper hand at scrum time, and after a series of scrum penalties close to the Zebras line, they moved the ball for Lawson Perry to score converted by Jones.
They increased their lead a couple of minutes later when Jordan Howells crossed for his second try, converted by Jones to make it 26-10
Treorchy were not lying down though and after they had gone multiple phases from their own half, Bargoed conceded a penalty and the visitors deservedly got a try from a tap and go by Owain Williams to make it 26-15.
However Bargoed increased the lead when Jones kicked a 36 metre penalty after 68 minutes, to make it 29-15.
Bargoed scored their fifth try after 73 minutes when Luke Cusack charged off the back of a driving maul to get over the line, and Jones converted to make it 36-15.
Treorchy had the last word though when a Bargoed attack broke down they counter attacked and another chip and chase saw Jacob Lloyd scoring again to make the final score 36-20 and see The Bulls through to the next round.
Bargoed’s coaching staff were pleased with the effort and work rate after a poor start, and getting the victory.
The bench in particular made a big impact again, taking the game away from a well organised and skilful Treorchy side.
It was good to see four of last season’s youth team products, Ben Jones, Ieuan Morgan, Jack Price and Luke Cusack, making their 1st XV debuts.
Cusack was most people’s man of the match on the night, and his partner in crime Jack Price also worked hard and carried well.
Experienced senior players Luke Smalley, Jordan Howells and Callum Jones were the steadying hands in guiding them home to victory.
Indeed Callum was joined on the field in the second half by his younger brother Ben. He follows in a long line of the Jones family to have played for the 1st XV over the years, including dad Huw, uncles Ian, Hywel and Stuart, and his two older brothers Callum and Steffan.
Bargoed will now await the draw for the next round with eager anticipation, as they look to reclaim a trophy that is close to their hearts.
The 1st XV now look forward to playing another Mid District rival on Saturday as they travel to Beddau in the National Championship 2.30 kick off.
