A BUMPER crowd watched Torfaen Tigers climb off the bottom of the Conference South table with an entertaining 48-24 win over former champions Sheffield Hallam Eagles at Cwmbran RFC.

It took just nine minutes for the Tigers to take the lead after Chris Wannell crossed between the sticks and Matt Cummins converted.

The lead was doubled from the kick-offwhen Jordan Thomas scored with Cummins converting again.

Ten minutes later and it was 18-0 thanks to Chris Wannell strolling home and Cummins keeping up his 100 per cent kicking record.

Sheffield came back with a run from over half way from winger Daniel Kudangirana to make it 18-4 but on the half-hour Ryan Bates went under the sticks with Cummins' goal making it 24-4.

Ryan Evans was next over, crossing in the corner with Cummins adding the extras, before Sheffield crossed for the final score of the half with Macca Watkinson's try and Kieran Smith's conversion making it 30-10 on the scoreboard.

The second half was a lot better defensive wise and it took a dropped ball for Tigers to add to their lead as Sam Hancox capitalised and Cummins converted.

The Eagles replied straight away through Kudangirana crossing for his second with Smith improving again before a great offload from Ben Williams saw Wannell complete his hat-trick.

Wannell soon went over for his fourth and the Tigers eighth before Luke Brown put Bates in for his second. Both kicks were missed leaving the score at 48-16.

As Tigers tired the Eagles scored two consolation tries through Mitch Vincent and Owen Wedgewood but the damage was already done and the Cwmbran based side celebrated a famous scalp that saw them climb above Oxford Cavaliers.

The Tigers development side host Bristol Sonics on Saturday and the first team return to CLS action the following week when they travel to Gloucester.

- On Sunday afternoon Torfaen Tigers Under-15s started their league campaign with a tough encounter away to reigning champions Cardiff Spartans at the Arms Park.

A poor opening 20 minute ultimately cost the inexperienced Tigers, leaking 28 unanswered points through tries for James Bartlett, Jay Jones and a Karlin Claridge hat-trick plus four goals from the boot of Jake Hillman.

The Tigers then found some rhythm and crossed either side of the interval through David Brunnock and Brett Thomas, Jon Watkins converting the first.

The Spartans hit back through Joe Mehish but the Tigers responded with tries by Derren O'Rourke and Terry Court to bring the score to 32-18.

The game was back in the balance but the Tigers tired and a late Drew Stephens brace sealed a 40-18 win for the hosts.

On Sunday the Tigers host Valley Cougars at the Kings Head Ground.