The Whites claimed the Premiership last Sunday in north Wales with a 37-17 victory against the Cofis but Lillicrap is expecting them to travel south this weekend, determined to gain revenge in the premier event of tomorrow’s Super Cup finals day which will see four finals contested.
“Winning the league was a tough battle,” said Lillicrap. “The league could have gone either way but since the start of the season the girls have really stepped up game by game. Hopefully for the cup final, we’ll set the bar up another notch and put in a good performance.”
Lillicrap realises the Whites are just 80 minutes away from claiming the coveted league and cup double, and her team are determined to leave victorious as a tribute to the club who have taken them under their wings this season. To win the double at their new St Helen’s home in their first season would be a major achievement.
“That is something we are aiming for and within our reach,” she said. “The club have been fantastic to us this year so it would be nice to take some silverware back home this weekend.”
Swansea made light work of Gwernyfed and Penybanc before a walkover in the semi-finals meant their dreams of the double were in their sights. The ever improving Caernarfon had to overcome two rival Premiership teams along the way to the final with a 94-6 point routing of Pencoed to book their bus to Bedwas.
“They have got quite a few internationals and good strong players with plenty of experience. They came at us last weekend in the title decider for the league and I have no doubt it will be the same at Bedwas,” she added.
“What we need to remember is that we can’t arrive complacent – we can’t go out there and play as individuals – we have got to set the bar up again if we are going to take the silverware home because I don’t expect it to be an easy game at all and hopefully it will be a free flowing spectacle.”
Caernarfon have plenty of international experience in their ranks with Rachel Taylor, Jenny Davies, Gwenllian Prys and Jess Kavanagh-Williams all having represented Wales.
“They came at us last weekend in the title decider for the league and I have no doubt it will be the same at Bedwas,” said Lillicrap.
“What we need to remember is that we can’t arrive complacent – we can’t go out there and play as individuals – we have got to set the bar higher up again if we are going to take the silverware home because I don’t expect it to be an easy game at all and hopefully it will be a free flowing spectacle.”
Road to the Final
Cup
Swansea aim to make it a cup and league double after already claiming the Premiership title. Caernarfon, who make their first return to the final since 2005, have been hot on their heels in the league, will be looking to cause an upset.
Swansea were able to make light work of Gwernyfed and Penybanc before a walkover in the semi-finals meant their dreams of the double were in their sights. The ever improving Caernarfon had to overcome two rival Premiership teams along the way to the final with a 94-6 point routing of Pencoed to book their bus to Bedwas.
Results: Round 1
Gwernyfed 0-118 Swansea
Caernarfon 24-20 Llandaff North
Quarter-Final
Swansea 62-22 Penybanc
Pencoed 6- 94 Caernarfon
Semi-Final
Swansea WO – Haverfordwest
Caernarfon 40-14 Pontyclun
Plate Final
Seven Sisters make their seventh appearance in the Plate final in the last eight years and look to retain their 2016 title.
But their opponents will be hoping their pace and flair will be enough to take the title from their grasp. Llandaff North showed their intentions with crushing defeats of Ynysddu and Division 1 champions Gwernyfed en route to the final.
Whilst Seven Sisters had to fight back from trailing 17-7 at half time against last year’s Bowl winners Ynysybwl, to reach the semi-final before knocking out Division 2 champions, Senhenydd.
Results: Quarter-Finals
Llandaff North 81-0 Ynysddu
Ynysybwl 17-21 Seven Sisters
Semi-Finals
Gwernyfed 8-46 Llandaff North
Seven Sisters 40-20 Senghenydd
Bowl
Two new faces to the finals will play off for the Bowl title. First time entrants Burry Port were able to eliminate Division 3 champions Bonymaen in the first round, followed by wins over Taffs Well and Pontardulais saw them through to the final. Abergele had to overcome fierce competition from their Division 2 rivals Lampeter and Porth Quins to make their debut on finals day.
Results: Round 1
Bonymaen 0-5 Burryport
Abergele – Bye
Quarter-Final
Burry Port 20-7 Taffs Well
Abergele 6-0 Lampeter
Semi-Final
Pontarddulais 7-64 Burry Port
Porth Quins 12-22 Abergele
Youth Cup
The Youth Cup will be a repeat of 2015’s final as Cardiff Quins and Wattstown go head to head once again. Wattstown were able to eliminate their Division Youth East rivals Nelson and Pencoed to reach the finals.
Cardiff Quins had to travel west to knock out Carmarthen Quins before getting a chance of redemption by beating last year’s winners Whitland in their semi-final.
Results: Quarter-Final
Carmarthen Quins 12-36 Cardiff Quins
Wattstown 48-5 Nelson
Semi-Final
Cardiff Quins 29-24 Whitland
Wattstown 21-0 Pencoed
