Taunaholo Taufahema led a superb Caerphilly comeback as the Welshmen saw off a determined Rugby Parma outfit at Virginia Park.

The Italians led 25-13 at half-time of this Parker Pen Shield quarter-final thanks to tries from backs Corrado Pilat, Norman Di Maura and Leone Larini.

But coach Mark Ring reorganised his troops at half-time and their pack laid the foundation by denying the visitors the ball for long periods.

Scoring details:

Caerphilly (13) 41: Tries: Taufahema 3, G Jones 2, P Jones. Con: J Thomas. Pens: J Thomas 3. Rugby Parma (25) 28: Tries: Pilat, Di Maura, Larini. Cons: Peens 2. Pens: Peens 3.

Parma were limited to a solitary Gert Peens penalty in the second half as Caerphilly first caught, then overhauled the Italians' score.

Tonga wing Taufahema claimed three of the Cheesemen's six tries, with replacement flanker Gareth Jones crossing twice and namesake fellow backrow Paul getting the other.

Caerphilly now travel to the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi for next week's second leg with a decent 13-point advantage, but know they cannot afford a repeat of their first-half performance at home.

Caerphilly: S Tuipulotu; R Howells, R Boobyer, S Cox, T Taufahema; J Thomas, A Chiltern; L Manning, F Vunipola, R Skuse, M Workman, P Jones, S Grainger, J El-Abd (capt), A Williams.
Reps: R Bilton, G Liddon, D Sweet, N Watkins, G Jones, L Richards, G Lewis.

Rugby Parma: G Peens; L Larini, G Branchi (capt), S Pace, N Di Maura; C Pilat, F Frati; D Meggetto, S Busato, V Golfetti, A Giacon, G Pulli, F Soncini, L Pascu, H Tuilagi.
Reps: T Paoletti, F Guidetti, F Staibano, M Bosman, A Brancoli, M Capitani, M Zaffiri.

Ref: Christophe Berdos (France).

Att: 650