SWALEC CUP QUARTER-FINALS
(Matches to be played weekend of 28 March)
Aberavon v Newport
Cross Keys v Neath
Llanelli v Glamorgan Wanderers
Swansea v Caerphilly
The only non-Principality Premiership side left among the final eight, Caerphilly booked their ticket into the quarter-finals last weekend thanks to a 17-12 win over fellow Division One outfit Rumney.
Outside half Dan Ellis scored all the Caerphilly points to give his side the chance to battle against the big boys when they travel to three-times winners Swansea next month.
And for Lloyd it will be a chance to erase the bitter memories of his first Cup final appearance back in 1995, when the All Whites spoiled Pontypridd’s big day by beating them 17-12.
Lloyd, then a key member of the Ponty back row, was on the losing side that time, but went on to pick up a winners medal the next year when Neath were beaten at the Arms Park.
Caerphilly last met Swansea in the cup in the 1999-2000 season, going down 32-26 at Virginia Park. Swansea went on to reach the final before losing to arch-rivals Llanelli.
Fresh from their 74-0 defeat of Llantwit Fardre in the last round, Aberavon will host Newport. With one victory already in the bag over the Black and Ambers this season the Wizards should feel confident of progressing to the last four once again.
Last season they were crushed by Pontypridd at the semi-final stage and Wales Under 18 coach Simon King is looking to his side to make-up for that bitter disappointment this season.
“It was a big disappointment for the club last year. Everything went wrong for us around that game,” said King. “Now we have a home draw in the quarter-final we have to make the most of it. Newport are strong and well organised outfit and are ahead of us in the Premiership. That shows how difficult a cup tie it is going to be.”
Aberavon have racked up the points in the last two rounds with a 58-19 success at Corus in round five followed by that 74-0 victory at Llantwit Fardre. Newport have had a tougher draw having beaten Premier clubs Bridgend 44-7 and Llandovery 38-18 in the last two rounds.
Cross Keys host Neath at Pandy Park having already been beaten 62-20 at The Gnoll this season in the Premiership. Neath maybe off the pace in their quest for a fifth successive Premiership crown, but they are certainly in no mood to surrender the SWALEC Cup crown they won at the Millennium Stadium last season.
Glamorgan Wanderers travel to Llanelli having beaten off the challenge of Division One sides Newbridge and Tonmawr in the last few rounds. But they know they will face a much tougher challenge against the 13-times winners at Parc y Scarlets.
The Wanderers went down 24-13 at Llanelli in the Premiership at the start of the season and will meet the Scarlets again the weekend before their cup tie. That will at least give them a chance to get to know their opposition.
SWALEC PLATE QUARTER FINALS
(Ties to be played on weekend of 28 March)
Mountain Ash v Rhydyfelin
Newcastle Emlyn v Ammanford
Risca v Cardiff University
Tredegar Ironsides v Nantyffyllon
Cardiff University have defied the odds to make it to the quarter-final stage. They beat Two East side Treherbert 24-16 in round four to earn a tie at Risca of Four East so will not be over-awed at having to travel once again.
Two East sides clash at Mountain Ash where Rhydyfelin are the visitors. Ash already have a 25-9 home league victory over Rhydyfelin and will be confident of reaching the final stages. Both side had comfortable home victories in round four with Rhydyfelin beating LLangefni 34-0 and Mountain Ash winning 38-15 against Brynamman.
Tredegar Ironsides of Four East play host to Nantyffyllon of Three South West. The Ironsides travelled to Tonyrefail in the last round and came away with a 37-14 victory while Nantyffyllon defeated Blaina of Three East 19-3.
Two West outfit Ammanford travel to Three West’s Newcastle Emlyn. Ammanford won 32-0 at Nantymoel while Newcastle Emlyn were 27-3 winners over Four South West side Resolven.
SWALEC BOWL QUARTER FINALS
(To be played the weekend of 28 March)
Dowlais v Alltwen
Gowerton v Pontyclun
Rhiwbina v Glyncorrwg
Usk v Lampeter
Dowlais of Four South East narrowly defeated Crumlin 17-13 in round three to earn a home tie against Alltwen of Five South West. Dowlais are mid-table in their division but Alltwen are flying high in second spot and after edging out Morriston in a 30-29 thriller they will be looking to continue their winning ways.
Rhiwbina narrowly defeated Old Penarthians 12-10 and will host Glyncorrwg of Five South Central. The Squirrels are doing well in Four East and although their visitors travelled to mid-Wales and beat Newtown 27-18 in round three, they will be confident of reaching the semi-final.
Gowerton provided one of the shocks of the last round round by defeating Two West outfit Gorseinon 32-20. The Five South West side now host a Pontyclun side of Five South East who narrowly defeated Bridgend Sports 15-9 to reacah this stage.
East meets West in the last tie with Usk of Five East facing Lampeter of Three West. Usk beat Abercarn 13-12 in round three while Lampeter overcame Aberaeron 17-6.
Ends
