"We started well and controlled the ball well, but you could see how tired we were getting out there," he said.

"I couldn't ask for more from the boys - it was a very commendable performance and I'm proud of them. It's a very proud day for the Caerphilly Rugby Club."

Caerphilly try-scorer Roddy Boobyer said: "I thought we might sneak it at halftime. Those two balls we lost after halftime resulted in two tries and the game was suddenly dead.

"A team like Castres - you just can't give them gifts. But full credit to the boys "

Man-of-the-match Joe El-Abd was philosophical after the match.

"It's obviously very disappointing - we competed well in the first half and were unlucky to go in behind, but we just didn't perform in the second 40," the hard-working flanker said.

"It was a great game to end the season with, to finish off Caerphilly's life as we know them, but we just came up against a very good Castres side."

Captain Chris Ferris added: "I'm really proud of the boys and of the support we got from the fans - they were fantastic. Those two early tries in the second half killed us, but it was good to see us come back and score that late one."

Castres coach Christophe Urios said his players knew they'd been in a tough game.

"We are very, very happy to have won - we were not surprised by how hard Caerphilly were to play."

Castres' English prop Stephen Sparks also paid a tribute to the brave Welsh side.

"They were very strong up front and had lots of aggression," said Sparks, who was coached by Ring at West Hartlepool a few seasons ago.

"They gave us a very tough test, but I think our professionalism came through in the end."

HT; 13-7 Attendance 3,500

Castres Olympique: L Marticorena (N Nadau 53); U Mola, S Roques, C Stoica (N Raffault 61), L Arbo; R Teulet (M Sans 72), A Albouy; M Reggiardo (S Sparks 61), R Vigneaux (D Narjissi 72), J Garcia, D Barrier (capt), N Spanghero, R Froment (J-M Bisaro 58), R Capo (P Furet (41), G Taussac.
Scorers; Tries - R Froment 2, S Roques, N Spanghero, L Arbo; Cons - R Teulet 3; Pens - R Teulet 3

Caerphilly: S Tuipulotu (G Lewis 45); R Howells, R Boobyer, J Murphy, T Taufahema; J Thomas, A Chilten; L Manning (R Bilton 40, G Liddon 65), C Ferris (capt, F Vunipola 41) D Sweet, D Davies, P Jones (N Watkins 57), G Jones (S Grainger 49), M Workman, J El-Abd.
Scorers; Tries - R Boobyer, J El-Abd; Con - J Thomas;

Referee: Donal Courtney (Ireland)