SWALEC CUP (Ties to be played weekend of 27 March, 2010)
Tonmawr, the last remaining Division One side in the SWALEC Cup, have been well rewarded for their thrilling one point victory over Llandovery in Round Three last weekend.
They will host Llanelli, the most successful club in the competition and last season’s beaten finalists, on the weekend of 27 March in a quarter-final tie at their Memorial Ground – giving former Scarlets Jason Hyatt and Tal Selley a chance to put one over on their former club.
Tonmawr coach Hyatt played with the then Stradey Park outfit in the late nineties, while Welsh international and Rugby World Cup Sevens winning star Selley was a more recent incumbent in the Scarlet colours.
Tonmawr, who are top of their league and in the quarter-finals of the Silver Ball, hung on for a 27-26 success over the Drovers after surviving a fierce second half comeback from their opponents who were 24-6 down at the interval and they will be looking forward to playing host to the Cup Kings.
The remaining ties are all-Premier clashes with Aberavon’s visit to Sardis Road to take on Pontypridd likely to be fiercely fought. The Wizards have already beaten Ponty 10-3 at home in the league but they have yet to win the Cup with only two losing appearances in 1974 and 1975 to show for their efforts.
Pontypridd have been far more successful by winning the trophy in 1996, 2002, and 2006 and will look to take full advantage of playing at the “House of Pain”.
Seven-times winners Cardiff face a trip to Bedwas after defeating Newport 22-20 in Round Three. The Blue and Blacks have already beaten Bedwas this season, gaining a 29-22 success at the Arms Park last October, but it is sure to be another tight match when they meet at the Bridge Field.
The final quarter-final tie sees Carmarthen Quins travelling to the Memorial Ground to meet Glamorgan Wanderers. The Quins had an epic struggle before seeing off One East side Blackwood 23-22 while Wanderers had to work hard during the second half to hold off another One East side, Rumney before going through 23-16.
Quarter-Final draw
Bedwas v Cardiff
Glamorgan Wanderers v Carmarthen Quins
Pontypridd v Aberavon
Tonmawr v Llanelli
SWALEC PLATE (Ties to be played weekend of 27 March, 2010)
Division Three South West club Kenfig Hill are the only non-Division Two outfit in the last eight of the SWALEC Plate but after defeating Two East leaders Gilfach Goch 24-3 in the last round they will be full of confidence for the visit of Brynmawr in the quarter-final.
The other ties all pit clubs from the same divisions with Two West ‘s Aberystwyth hosting Loughor. The West Walians beat Aberystwyth 43-7 when they met earlier in the season and they will be looking for more of the same to repeat that form against a side with only two away league victories to date.
Two West leaders Maesteg take on Waunarlwydd of the same division at Llynfi Road but although the “Old Parish” are top of the table, Waunarlwydd drew at Maesteg and then beat them in the return at Roseland Road so they will be confident of causing an upset.
The final tie is between clubs from Two East with Llantwit Fardre entertaining Rhydyfelin.
Fardre won away 27-26 when the sides met in the league and this tie is sure to be just as closely fought.
Quarter-Finals
Aberystwyth v Loughor
Kenfig Hill v Brynmawr
Llantwit Fardre v Rhydyfelin
Waunarlwydd v Maesteg
SWALEC BOWL (Ties to be played weekend of 27 March, 2010)
Bethesda have had a superb season in Division Two North and they have taken that form into the SWALEC Bowl where they have beaten Bettws, Machynlleth, Beaufort, Bangor Univ, and Aberaeron to reach the quarter final.
They will host Trebanos of Five South West and though their visitors are doing well in their division, the North Walians will be keen to reach the next stage.
Risca of Four East play host to Pontardawe of Four South West while another Four East outfit in Abercarn, travel to Bridgend Sports of Five South Central.
The final tie sees Senghenydd of Five South East welcome Birchgrove of Five South West
Quarter-Finals
Bethesda v Trebanos
Bridgend Sports v Abercarn
Risca v Pontardawe
Senghenydd v Birchgrove
