Caerphilly progressed through to the semi-final of the Parker Pen Shield despite a 15-10 defeat against Rugby Parma in Italy.

The result means the Cheesemen progress through to the semi-finals by eight points thanks to their 41-28 victory at Virginia Park last weekend.

They will face Petrarca Padova in the semi-final first leg on 12 April, after the Italians saw off Mont de Marsan.

But there will be no dream all-Welsh final after Ebbw Vale crashed out of the competition, a 63-17 defeat in Pau wiping out the Steelmen's first-leg lead.

Caerphilly started the stronger and took a 10-9 lead into the break, but three second-half yellow cards proved costly.

Tauna'holo Taufahema scored the only try of the game, after superb forward play had allowed Sam Cox to break through and feed the Tongan international with the scoring pass.

Justin Thomas added the conversion and a penalty goal, but the Italians responded with three penalty goals from full-back Corrado Pilat to trail by one point.

In a scrappy second half, Mark Ring's side lost their composure and discipline as the Italians started to come back into the game.

Early in the half, Feao Vunipola was sent to the sin-bin, and he was followed by Paul Jones and Nic Rouse.

But despite intense Italian pressure, Parma could only manage two second-half penalties.