Caerphilly were denied the chance of a first ever league victory over the Whites when a last-minute penalty from fly-half Justin Thomas slid agonisingly past the post.

First-half tries from Scott Gibbs and Arwel Thomas set Swansea on the victory trail at Virginia Park as their backs showed their skills.

But Caerphilly were ruling up front. A try from flanker Joe El-Abd got them back into the match and Ben Evans' sin-binning near the end left the visitors desperately clinging to their lead.

Justin Thomas kicked 14 points, but the former Welsh international's nerve failed as he missed two late penalties and had a drop goal charged down.

Match details:

Caerphilly Try: J El-Abd Con: J Thomas Pens: Thomas (4) Swansea Tries: S Gibbs, A Thomas Cons: Thomas (2) Pens: Thomas (2)

The Whites led 17-13 at the break after a lively first-half that saw both sides try to move the ball.

The first try arrived on eight minutes after Arwel Thomas spotted there was no one at home in defence for Caerphilly and put in a clever kick for Gibbs to touch down.

Thomas turned from creator to scorer just past the half-hour mark when he sprinted over from 45 metres after good work from Shaun Payne.

Swansea's lightweight pack nearly cost them dear, though, as the Cheesemen gave them a hammering in the filthy conditions.

But Swansea were just able to hold on and secure their first Welsh Premiership victory of the season.

Caerphilly: S Tuipulotu; R Howells, R Boobyer, S Cox, T Taufahema; J Thomas, A Chiltern; L Manning, C Ferris (capt), D Sweet, N Rouse, P Jones, S Grainger, J El-Abd, M Workman.
Reps: F McLoughlin, O Ashman, G Lewis, T Carless, R Skuse, G Williams, A Williams.

Swansea: S Payne; M Robinson, M Taylor, S Gibbs, J Vaughton; A Thomas, R Jones; D Dorsey, C Balshen, B Evans, J Griffiths, J Slade, J Bater Thomas, T Tamarua, J Bater.
Reps: S Cordingley, G Henson, S Winn, S Pope, C Wells, C Charvis, R Francis.

Ref: Huw F Lewis (Pontypridd)

Att: 1,000