SWALEC Cup Preview
The road to the Millennium Stadium and a place in the prestigious SWALEC Cup final opens up this weekend when 12 teams launch the competition.
There will be action in all three sections of the SWALEC sponsored cup competitions this weekend as the Plate reaches round two and the Bowl round three.
Round One of the SWALEC Cup sees six matches involving Division One sides with the 1979 and 1980 winners Bridgend meeting Tonmawr at the Brewery Field in the pick of them.
The Ravens won their previous meeting, 20-13, at home in the league in October but have only managed one other league success. Tonmawr have meanwhile moved up to second place in One West.
Whitland are top of that division and they will be favourites to make progress at the expense of visitors Ystrad Rhondda, who are in the lower section of One East. The six winners will join the 12 Division One clubs with byes and 14 Principality Premiership clubs in the second round on 16 January, 2010.
SWALEC Cup Round One
Bedlinog v Tredegar
Bridgend v Tonmawr
Builth Wells v Newbridge
Llangennech v Llanharan
Narberth v Bridgend Athletic
Whitland v Ystrad Rhondda
SWALEC PLATE
An impressive 55-19 win at Nelson in Round One by Rhydyfelin of Two East has been rewarded with another away tie, this time at another SWALEC League Two East side, Ynysybwl. When the sides met at Rhydyfelin earlier in the season, Ynysybwl ran out winners 23-22 so another close encounter is anticipated. Two East leaders Gilfach Goch travel to Tylorstown who have lost only one match in Three South East to date.
Two West leaders Maesteg entertain Llantrisant and as the Black Army have been struggling in Two East this season, the Llynfi Road side will be expecting to make Round Three. Ammanford of Two West racked up 50pts in defeating Llanelli Wanderers and they are home to Three West side Morriston.
SWALEC PLATE Round Two
Aberavon Quins v Brynamman
Aberdare v Rhymney
Aberystwyth v Llanybydder
Ammanford v Morriston
Bryncoch v Cwmavon
Brynmawr v Cwmbran
Caernarfon v Bro Ffestiniog
Crymych v Lampeter
Denbigh v Llandudno
Garndiffaith v Abergavenny
Glynneath v BP Llandarcy
Gwernyfed v Newport HSOB
Haverfordwest v Laugharne
Heol y Cyw v Llandaff North
Maesteg v Llantrisant
Maesteg Quins v Treorchy
Mountain Ash v Llantwit Fardre
Nant Conwy v Mold
Newcastle Emlyn v Kidwelly
Penallta v Llanishen
Penarth v St Peters
Penclawdd v Mumbles
Pentyrch v Fairwater
Pontyberem v Loughor
Ruthin v Pwllheli
Tondu v Nantyffyllon
Tredegar Ironsides v Croesyceiliog
Treherbert v Kenfig Hill
Tylorstown v Gilfach Goch
Waunarlwydd v Dunvant
Ynysybwl v Rhydyfelin
Ystalyfera v Skewen
SWALEC BOWL
Gwent side Risca totted up a century of points in the last round when they dispatched Blaina United but the SWALEC League Four East outfit will be expecting a more difficult afternoon when they host Five East table-toppers Oakdale. Division Two North side Bethesda face the long trip down to Beaufort who are unbeaten in Six East, while Bala, also of Two North, travel even further to Tregaron who had a good win over Cobra in Round Two. Machynlleth entertain Newtown so there will be at least one North Division side in the last 32.
SWALEC BOWL Round Three
Abertillery BG v Blackwood Stars
Amman United v Blaenau
Beaufort v Bethesda
Birchgrove v Penlan
Bryncethin v Maesteg Celtic
Caerau Ely v St Josephs (Cardiff)
Caerleon v Talywain
Cambrian Welfare v Penygraig
Cardiff University v Taffs Well
Cefn Coed v Bridgend Sports
Crynant v Pontardawe
Cwmtwrch v Trebanos
Glyncoch v Porthcawl
Hafodyrynys v Trinant
Llangadog v Llandybie
Llanrumney v Barry
Machynlleth v Newtown
Milford Haven v Llansawel
Monmouth v Crickhowell
New Dock Stars v Cwmgwrach
New Tredegar v Chepstow
Pembroke v Fishguard
Pontarddulais v Penygroes
Porth v Wattstown
Pyle v Taibach
Risca v Oakdale
RTB Ebbw Vale v Abercarn
Senghenydd v Old Penarthians
Tregaron v Bala
Vardre v Glyncorrwg
Whiteheads v Bettws (Newport)
Ynysddu v Blaenavon
