The Pembrokeshire side’s 12-7 triumph at a windswept Parc Lloyd Thomas puts them into the quarter-finals – the furthest they have been since 2012. It was their first win since they beat Tondu 27-25 in the last round of the Plate on 9 December.
Four penalties from Phillips, who kicked the match winner against Tondu, gave the home side a 12-0 lead at the break and then they had to withstand a strong fightback from the champions. A try from Kierin Mahony was converted by Joe Scrivens for the visitors to set up a tense finish, but the Preseli men hung on.
There were strong performances from Crymych’s teenage Wales Under 18 prop Kemsley Mathias in their front row and the evergreen 38-year-old Gareth Davies in the centre.
The champions may have gone, but last season’s runners-up Ystalyfera are still eyeing up a return to the Welsh capital after being denied the title last year on try count. They had tries from Luc Caines, Josh Jarrett and Nathan Cornelius in their 30-3 home win over Maesteg and Steff Castle added 15 points with the boot.
There will still be one team from Maesteg in the last eight, however, after Maesteg Quins beat Treorchy 32-8 to extend their unbeaten record in Division 1 West Central and the Plate to 13 matches. Geraint Evans led the way with two tries and there were others from Jay and Lee Ronan and skipper Steve Williams.
There was no joy for Maesteg Celtic, though, as they were kicked out by a powerful display from Nelson, who won 40-20 away from home. Luke Fish kicked the two penalties that saw Glamorgan Wanders home 6-3 at Mountain Ash.
Division 1 North leaders Nant Conwy, runners-up in 2012 and semi-finalists last season, headed south for the third successive round and added the scalp of Blaenavon to those of Aberavon Quins and Whitland as they triumphed 25-15. There was no luck for the other north Wales side, Ruthin, who were beaten 60-10 at Ystrad Rhondda.
Brynmawr picked up four second half tries to finally surpass Ynysybwl 40-12 having only led by two points at the break, 14-12. Ethan Phillips scored a try in each half and kicked four conversions for a match tally of 18 points, while other home tries came from Tom Ashmead, Ryan Gardner and Zach Stuart. There was also a Penalty Try.
WRU National Plate – Round 4 Results
Blaenavon 15, Nant Conwy 25
Brynmawr 40, Ynysybwl 12
Crymych 12, Penallta 7
Maesteg Celtic 20, Nelson 40
Maesteg Quins 32, Treorchy 8
Mountain Ash 3, Glamorgan Wanderers 6
Ystalyfera 30, Maesteg 3
Ystrad Rhondda 60, Ruthin 10
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