A SECOND-HALF comeback and the impressive boot of Wales Under-20s star Dan Biggar ensured that Ebbw Vale's season ended in disappointing fashion at St Helen's.p>

Defeat put an end to the Steelmen's bid for successive runners-up finishes but nonetheless it has been another excellent campaign at Eugene Cross Park.

And for long periods it looked as though it would end on a winning note with Swansea, who have now won their last 12 Premiership games on the spin, hounded from the off and young flanker Rhys Jenkins spearheading a terrific defensive effort.

After a sluggish start to the match in which Biggar kicked two penalties to Bryan Shelbourne's one, Vale took the lead on 18 minutes.

Aaron Bramwell and Simon Hunt had pressed in the 22 then skipper John Bowd went on the charge and conjured a lovely offload to put prop Anthony Lott over the line. Shelbourne added the extras.

And things got better on 27 minutes when Jenkins was driven over the line from a line-out after Vale had kicked a penalty to the corner, Shelbourne impressively converting from the touchline.

Biggar chipped away at the lead with two further penalties but on the stroke of half-time a cracking strike by Shelbourne from 45 yards gave Ebbw a well-deserved eight-point lead.

Swansea's fly-half got the scoreboard moving with another penalty four minutes into the second half before a period where both sides had their moments only to be let down by the final pass.

But there was nothing wrong with the finishing touch when lock Richard Kelly powered over for the hosts with 64 minutes on the clock, a score that proved to be a pivotal one.

It put the Whites' tails up and after Biggar punished another infringement, centre Richard Payne crossed for a comical score after a Vale breakdown in midfield.

Vale were ragged and wing Chris Shelmerdine added to their woes with Biggar adding the conversion to take his tally to 27.

Scorers: Swansea: tries - R Kelly, R Payne, C Shelmerdine; conversions - Biggar (3); penalties - Biggar (7) Ebbw Vale: tries - Lott, Jenkins; conversions - Shelbourne (2);penalties - Shelbourne (2)