Newbridge booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Swalec Cup when they beat Bargoed, joint Division One East league leaders with Ebbw Vale, 13-3 on a gluepot Welfare Ground pitch.

Replacement wing forward Dean Gibbs stormed over in the corner for the only try of the hard-fought match in the 75th minute. Outside- half Neil Burnett, who had slotted two first-half penalty goals, added the icing to the cake with a magnificent 40-metre conversion from near the touchline.

Bargoed’s only points came from an outside-half Josh Prosser penalty midway through the first half.

The real heroes of the hour were the Newbridge forwards, ably led by No 8 and captain Ross Coombs, with flankers Gavin Knapp and Andrew Coupe outstanding, as were their talented replacements, Gibbs and Justin Jones.

Another man always prominent in the uncompromising exchanges up front was lock Gareth Short, while Darren Hughes looks to be a very promising young hooker.

Bargoed, who had pulled off a shock win at Aberavon in the last round, staged a great onslaught on the Newbridge line in the closing stages, with No 8 Lewis Weyman and impressive lock Lee Williams both going close to grabbing touchdowns. But the stoic home defenders tackled like demons, even deep into injury time, to keep their opponents at bay.

Bargoed did not help their cause by failing to make the most of a strong wind advantage before the interval and by having two players sent to the sin bi.

The kick-off time was delayed by half an hour after heavy lunchtime rain had turned the pitch into a quagmire. But sterling efforts by the Newbridge ground staff, assisted by the wind and, at last, some sunshine, eventually enabled the match to go ahead.

Newbridge coach Andrew Gibbs said after the match: “We targeted a good run in the Swalec Cup this term and this was a massive result for us.

“I couldn’t fault our boys. They were outstanding, especially in the contact area where we have been putting in a lot of work recently.

“We are all very pleased and I believe we will give anyone a run for their money in the quarter-finals if we manage to get a home draw.”

Newbridge: R Lee; G Jones, S Thomas, G Langdon, A Bevan; N Burnett, R Addis (A Quick 12 mins), G Lewin (S Chappell-Davies 78 mins), D Hughes (R Price 62 mins), G Weaver (D Evans 62 mins), M Curtis, G Short, G Knapp (D Gibbs 62 mins), A Coupe (J Jones 67 mins) and R Coombs (capt). Try: D Gibbs (75 mins); pens: N. Burnett (11 and 26 mins); con: N Burnett.

Bargoed: A McLaughlan; G Dare (J Purcell 72 mins), P Price, J Pizey, L Pearson; J Prosser, M Hutcheson (R Humphries 60 mins); A Lott, L Meades (capt), C Nutt ( J Lavender 72 mins), C Lynch (D Lynch 62 mins), L Williams, Adam Coupe, G Davies ( A Cullen 80+4 mins) and L Weyman.

Pen: J Prosser (17 minutes). Referee: Mr Neil Perkins (Pontypridd).

Argus Man of Match: Gavin Knapp.