Stage two of the competition, which begins a week tomorrow, sees the 11 sides split into two groups. Group A will play for the WRU Wednesday Under 18 Cup, while the teams in Group B, will challenge for the WRU Wednesday Under 18 Trophy.
Following their strong performances so far, Coleg Sir Gar, Bridgend College, Coleg y Cymoedd and Neath Port Talbot College have already qualified for the Cup competition. Pembrokeshire College, Newport High School, Cowbridge Comprehensive and Gower College will compete for the Trophy in Group B.
It all means there are three places to be decided this week. Gwent and Llandrillo are in the box seat to qualify for the Cup but with the former travelling to Llandovery for a difficult away trip and Llandrillo visiting Cowbridge, anything could happen. Newcomers to the tournament this year, Llandrillo are hoping to finish in the top two to reach the Cup competition. Their game with Cowbridge tomorrow can be seen live via the S4C website (kick-off 2.30pm.)
“We’re travelling down on Tuesday afternoon and staying overnight,” said Llandrillo College Director of Rugby Josh Leach, as he looked ahead to tomorrow’s game.
“We won’t think about the match too much until kick-off. We’re just hoping we can produce a good performance and get the right result.
“We’ve ignored the fact the game is on TV and have got a couple of changes from our last game against Llandovery. But luckily, we’ve got strength in depth in the areas where there are a few injuries.
“Getting in the top tier competition was our aim at the start of the competition and it’s no different now. If we get there, it will be an extremely strong calibre of rugby which can only benefit the boys going forward.”
With Coleg Gwent topping Group 2 and Llandrillo in second place, Llandovery look up against it in third place. However, Iestyn Thomas’ side know a home win over Gwent, with a four-try bonus point, would see them back in the hunt.
“Our backs are to the wall and it’s a must win game for us,” said Thomas, Llandovery College Director of Rugby.
“Gwent will try to squash the living daylights out of us, they are a big team and a good outfit who have won both their games so far. We will try our very best to beat them as it’s vital for us to be in Group A and the Cup competition. We have to end up there really – it’s massive for the college.
“We have got a few injuries but we’ll just have to get on with it. The boys who are fit are capable of getting a result so we’ll give it our all.”
While the eight other teams involved already know their fate for the second stage, there are nonetheless some interesting fixtures. Coleg Sir Gar and Bridgend College meet with both sides boasting unbeaten records so far this season. The west Wales side have home advantage and will be looking to make a statement ahead of the second stage kick off.
Elsewhere, Pembrokeshire Schools and Newport are both looking for their first wins of the campaign while at Taffs Well, Cymoedd College host Neath Port Talbot.
Both sides have qualified for the Cup stage following wins over Gower College, Cymoedd’s home win particularly impressive.
You can watch live coverage of Cowbridge Comprehensive against Llandrillo College live on s4c.c.o.uk, kick off is at 2.30pm. Highlights of the match can be watched on S4C later tomorrow evening at 10.30pm.
WRU Wednesday Under 18 League fixtures. Week 3: October 9:
• Coleg Sir Gar vs. Bridgend College (KO 2pm)
• Pembrokeshire Schools vs. Newport High School (KO 5.30pm)
• Llandovery College vs. Coleg Gwent (KO 2.30pm)
• Cowbridge Comprehensive vs. Llandrillo College (KO 2.30pm. Live on s4c.co.uk)
• Cymoedd College vs. Neath Port Talbot College (KO 2.30pm)
