Reigning North Wales champions Pwllheli’s reward for their 29-26 away win at Llanishen will be a first home fixture since Round 1. They started their cup run with a 45-9 triumph over Caernarfon and have since won three games on the road at Ynysddu (37-21), Llanelli Wanderers (29-20) and Llanishen.
Abercarn have enjoyed three successive home wins to reach the last eight – 30-12 v Pencoed, 47-19 v Llandudno and 22-6 v Croesyceiliog – and will be hoping to do better against the unbeaten Division 1 North outfit than their fellow Division 2 East side Ynysddu managed in Round 2.
Nant Conwy, who currently top Division 1 North ahead of their clash with the champions this weekend, beat high-flying Rhydyfelin (17-12) at home in Round 4 and have yet to play away. They beat Pontypool United (43-9) in Round 2 and Maesteg Quins in Round 3 (10-0).
St Peter’s, who are currently second in Division 2 East Central, eased their way into the quarter-finals with a four try triumph (33-9) over Gowerton last weekend. They won away at Ystradgynlais (18-13) in Round 2 and now travel even further to face the 2012 runners-up.
The team that beat Nant Conwy to the title at the Principality Stadium that season, Penallta, are hoping to stay on course for a second successive final. They have been given a home draw against their nearest rivals, Nelson in the tie of the round.
The Division 1 East derby – there are less than three miles between the two clubs – will be Nelson’s first away trip in the tournament having picked up a walk-over in Round 2 against Loughor and beaten Cardiff Quins (46-3) in Round 3 and Trebanos (24-14) last weekend. The win over Trebanos was the perfect warm-up for the clash with Penallta because they played on their 4G, all-weather pitch at Ystrad Mynach.
When the two teams met on 17 December on the same pitch it was Nelson who came out on top 17-12. They meet again in the league on 15 April and it is Nelson who currently hold the upper hand as they sit two points behind the unbeaten league leaders, Rhydyfelin, with Penallta seven points further back in third.
The final tie sees two teams struggling with their league form, Division 1 West Central’s Ystalyfera host Division 1 East Central’s Rumney, meet at Ynysydaren Park. Ystalyfera opened their account with away wins at Maesteg Celtic (49-19) and Mumbles (35-34) before making home advantage pay in Rounds 3 and 4 with victories over Mountain Ash (31-19) and Dowlais (12-5).
Rumney have become used to travelling away from home and have stayed strong in some tight battles all season. In Round 1 they went to Barry and won 28-22, Round 2 saw them win the first of two trips to date to North Wales as they overpowered Bethesda 29-11 and Round 3 ended in a three point win in Blackwood.
That close shave was followed by and even tighter tussle last weekend when they returned to RGC 1404 territory to beat Mold 20-17.
The tie of the round in the WRU National Bowl has to be the clash of reigning champions Burry Port and the only team that has beaten them this season, Amman United. The champions will have to travel to the venue where they were beaten 25-6 in September in Division 3B West.
It will be Amman’s fourth home tie in five games, while Burry Port have won twice at home and twice away, including last weekend’s comprehensive 47-0 drubbing of Wrexham. Burry Port have now won 10 successive games in the competition.
There will be an all-Pembrokeshire clash in Cardigan, where Milford Haven will be the visitors. Milford Haven are currently second in Division 3A West, three points ahead of Cardigan, who have played a game less. The two teams have met once this season, Cardigan winning 19-8 on home soil, and are due to meet again in the final game of the league campaign on 22 April.
Last season’s runners-up, Taffs Well, face a four mile trek up to Virginia Park to meet a Caerphilly side that has lost only once in Division 3B East this season. Cilfynydd, third in Division 3B East head west to tackle one of the surprise packages of the season, Swansea Uplands.
The Uplands, third in Division 3A West Central with two games in hand on the leaders, have lost only once this season and have beaten Fall Bay (45-0), South Gower (38-7), Llandybie (45-3) and New Dock Stars (22-13) all at home. They reached the quarter-finals with a 39-21 triumph at Trimsaran last weekend.
WRU National Plate
Nant Conwy v St Peter’s
Penallta v Nelson
Pwllheli v Abercarn
Ystalyfera v Rumney
WRU National Bowl
Amman United v Burry Port
Caerphilly v Taffs Well
Cardigan v Milford Haven
Swansea Uplands v Cilfynydd
* Matches to be played on the weekend of 18 February
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