BLAINA suffered despair at Principality Stadium after being edged out 24-21 by Cardiff Quins in the final of the Division Three Cup.

Blaina outscored the club of the late Vernon Pugh, the former chairman of the WRU and what is now World Rugby, 3-2 on tries and failed to recognise that a late penalty attempt could have drawn them level and won the cup on try count.

However, Quins refused to bow down and capitalised on a catalogue of errors from their Gwent rivals in a real smash and grab raid on the iconic stadium in the Welsh capital.

Blaina’s highly experienced outside half Dai Langdon was bidding for a unique treble – he won the Championship final with Neath in 2022 and Pontypool a year ago – but didn’t have the best of days from the kicking tee.

He missed a comparatively easy attempt and turned down a shot at goal to put the ball in the corner even though a successful penalty for a draw would have seen Blaina lift the cup on try count.

While Blaina will be wondering how they lost after using their powerful pack to soften up Quins, the victors will be able to point to the scoreboard and a three-point winning margin.

“We’re absolutely devastated, but fair play to the Quins. They seemed to want it a little bit more than us in the first half, but then we got ourselves back into the game,” said Blaina co-captain, and double try scorer, Michael John.

“Our plan now is to come back here next year and to go on and win the league.”

Jay Price kicked Quins into an early 6-0 lead but Blaina responded with an explosive line-out which saw flanker Michael John power over from a pre-planned move after lock Ryan Offers rose high to claim the ball. Langdon converted and they nudged into a one-point lead.

Wing Ellis Jones scored with a breakaway to put Quins 13-7 at the break but Blaina responded through number eight Ellis Evans from close range, Langdon’s conversion earning a one-point lead.

They were eight in front when John went over for a second after a penalty struck an upright but Price then struck a pair of penalties.

Quins got in front 24-21 when replacement Tomi Owens kicked ahead and won the race.

It was all Blaina after that but the driving line-out which had worked so well earlier in the game failed to generate the victory they craved.