COACH Kevin Weaver was ecstatic on Saturday as his Torfaen Tigers side turned over one of the big guns in this year's Welsh Rugby League Conference - and with 14 squad players missing to boot!

Ten of the Tigers were at the wedding of Pontypool RFC full-back Stuart Lawrence, while three others were injured and another was training.

It was ironic that the last time the Tigers had a few missing they were rattled by Bridgend Blue Bulls and went down to a 50-point defeat.

Weaver was dispirited then, but nothing could take the smile off his face this time around. Aberavon Fighting Irish are second in the table and through to the National RL Cup play-offs, along with Bridgend.

Torfaen have finished third, a highly respectable end to the season. And, with seven of the Fighting Irish team actually players with Aberavon RFC, Weaver was apprehensive.

However, he was pleasantly surprised as Torfaen went into the break just 10-8 down following tries for them by Steve Evans, playing his first-ever match of Rugby League, and captain Phil Marsh.

In fact, Evans was knocked out cold when ploughing into the Aberavon defence just after scoring his touchdown but, after an hour on the sidelines, begged Weaver to let him back on for the last ten minutes, which he did.

Scrum-half Jason Hill formed the foundations for Torfaen's victory, a real livewire.

And his game inspired others. like centre Luke Bingham, full-back Nolan Nicklin, props Nicky Blake and Neil Giles, the latter also making his debut, plus a big display from second row Lee Taylor.

Loose forward Marsh got two more touchdowns for a hat trick of tries - including the vital final one just five minutes before the end and with Torfaen trailing 22-20, while Richard Jenkins (pictured, with the ball) got a try as well, while points machine Matthew Entwhistle landed three conversions.

Weaver said: "They were brilliant. We wanted to beat one of the big two and we got it. .This was it and is the icing on the cake.

"And I must say a big thank-you to Talywain (RFC) for stepping in and letting us use their facilties."