On Saturday St Helens beat Wigan 32-16 in the Powergen Challenge Cup final in the Millennium Stadium.

There was also a 56-12 win for Wales over Ireland in a Four Nations Championship match in Cardiff.

On Sunday, Bridgend beat Valley Cougars 46-20, while Swansea Valley Miners drew 38-38 with Newport Titans.

Mark Burke gave Aberavon the narrowest of wins at Cardiff Demons in front of a large and enthusiastic Taffs Well crowd.

The visitors trailed with time running out, but a wonderful 50-metre sprint by Burke and Dean Scully's kicking condemned the Demons to their third successive defeat.

The Cougars opened their tenure of Pontypridd's famous Sardis Road ground against the defending Conference champions the Blue Bulls.

Despite a second-half fightback, which saw the Cougars score two tries in as many minutes through David Hayworth and scrum-half Carl Thomas, the visitors had built too much of a lead.

Kevin Ellis, Craig Fox and Lennie Woodard all crossed as Bridgend built an insurmountable 6-30 lead at the break.

Swansea Valley Miners ensured the battle of the newboys ended with hounours even, after turning a 12-point deficit into a draw.

In a match containing 14 tries - all scored by backs - Titans centre and man-of-the-match Earl Palmer led the way with a hat-trick.

Both teams were reborn out of the ashes of other Welsh clubs and will be relieved to get their first points on the board.

Total RL.com Welsh Rugby League Conference fixtures:

Friday, 14 May:
Cardiff Demons 27-28 Aberavon Fighting Irish

Sunday, 16 May:
Valley Cougars 20-46 Bridgend Blue Bulls
Swansea Valley Miners 38-38 Newport Titans
Bye: Torfaen Tigers