EBBW Vale booked themselves a Premiership play-off showdown away at Llandovery after securing a top three finish by beating title contenders Aberavon with a bonus point victory in a pulsating encounter.

The Steelmen will now be looking to go one better this season after losing to Pontypridd in last year’s Grand Final.

Despite leading 26-8 at half-time, Ebbw allowed the Wizards right back in the game and it looked as if the visitors might mount a remarkable comeback at one stage.

Vale took the lead in the ninth minute when fly-half Dai Langdon slotted a penalty after an offence at the breakdown by Wizards hooker Ieuan Davies.

A powerful Steelmen scrum saw them win a penalty soon after, which was narrowly missed from long range by the No 10.

Dominating the early territory and pressure through their powerful pack, Vale went through a number of phases in the visiting 22 before scrum-half Chris Thomas crossed near the posts for a try which Langdon converted for a thoroughly deserved 10-0 lead after 16 minutes.

The hosts continued their stranglehold on the game and Aberavon gave away a cheap penalty from a high tackle, but Langdon missed a sitter in front of the posts.

But despite being under the cosh for the opening 25, Aberavon hit back with a cracking try from deep.

Back row forward Chris Davies’ offload found centre Matthew Jenkins who tore through the Vale midfield before wing Jay Baker finished in style, fly-half Cameron Clement converting.

But the Steelmen were soon back in the Aberavon 22 and their superiority in the scrum won them a penalty which gave them the platform for a driving lineout, flanker Ronny Kynes crashing over for their second try which was converted by Langdon.

The Wizards enjoyed a rare purple patch towards the end of the first half but it was Vale who struck before the interval when centre Adam Jones crossed for a converted try, after a sweet pass by number eight Cameron Regan, following a big hoof downfield by back Nathan Preece.

Aberavon started the second half brightly but Preece should have extended his side with try, but was penalised for a double movement.

Wing Steffan Andrews brought his side right back into the game with a converted try after 53 minutes to make it 26-16 after a nice offload by Clement.

The Wizards reduced the gap to just four points when replacement forward Rob Dudley-Jones bagged an unconverted try from a driving lineout.

Vale wing Jared Rosser who settled the home side’s nerves with try in the 65th minute after a frantic period to give them a 32-22 advantage.

The home side lost their blindside Rhys Clarke for the last 10 minutes when he was yellow carded for infringing at the breakdown.

Baker’s second converted try three minutes from the end meant Vale’s nerves were frayed in a nerve-wracking finale, but they just held on for a famous win.

Ebbw Vale scorers: Tries – C Thomas 16, R Kynes 30, A Jones 35, J Rosser 65, Conversions – D Langdon 16, 30, 35, Penalties – Langdon 9.

Aberavon scorers: Tries – J Baker 25, 77, S Andrews 53, R Dudley-Jones 57, Conversions – C Clement 25, 53, 77.

Referee: Dan Jones (Cardiff)