IN a thrilling contest in Cwmbran, Torfaen Tigers scored three early second-half tries in a 42-32 win against Nottingham Outlaws that keeps them right in the Conference League South play-off mix.

The win puts Torfaen just two points below fourth placed Sheffield Hallam Eagles after the Yorkshire side were beaten at home 54-38 by league leaders Valley Cougars.

The Tigers did well for their win especially after being behind early in the game when George Matthew did well to latch onto a grubber kick to give Nottingham an early 4-0 lead.

Adam Cunliffe's conversion was wide and as soon as Torfaen regained the ball, a good passing move put Matt Cummins in to level the scores, failing to convert his own try.

Torfaen then took advantage of a chance bounce to take the lead. After the ball rebounded off the head of a Nottingham player, Cummins was fed the ball and ran 80 metres for his and Torfaen's second, converting his own try to put them 10-4 up.

Nottingham looked to hit back but Dai Thomas did well to intercept a pass that would have definitely led to a try.

But after Torfaen conceded a penalty, Nottingham hit back after Jimmy Goodwin slipped through a gap. Cunliffe again missed the kick and the Tigers held a slender two-point lead.

Cummins was set over for his hat-trick on the half-hour to increase Torfaen's lead, although the kick was missed and the home side settled for a 14-8 lead.

It was 20-8 after a dropped ball gifted a try for Sam Hancox with Cummins adding the extras but Adrian Chaima was put through to strike back for Nottingham just before the break to bring the score back to 20-12.

Torfaen started the second half well after Micki Watts dived over for an unconverted try before the league's leading points scorer in Cummins ran over for his fourth try of the day, converting it himself to give the Welsh a three-try cushion.

Ryan Bates slid over for Torfaen's next try with Cummins converting to make the score 36-12. Nottingham's Reece Needham hit back to give them hope before a loose ball gifted Chaima with his second which Dan Smith converted to bring the score back to 36-22.

Torfaen extended their cushion further after Chris Wannell set up Dai Thomas to score with Cummins converting well but the game wasn't over yet as Simon Morton scored two tries in the last ten minutes, the second converted by Smith.

However, Torfaen had already done the hard work and the game was won.