Last season’s WRU National Plate runners-up Penallta scored a significant win over the previously unbeaten Division 1 East Central leaders Treorchy to reach the fourth round and set-up a tough away trip to Aberavon Quins. The resurgent Quins, under the watchful eye of director or rugby Chris O’Callaghan, are currently third in Division 1 East Central with a game in hand on leaders Bonymaen.
The Quins are unbeaten at their ‘File of Screams’ in league and cup matches this season, but will have to be at their very best to hold onto Penallta, currently third in Division 1 East. Leading the way in that division are Rhydyfelin, who have racked up 165 points in their three cup wins to date, who head north to face Diison 1 North leaders Nant Conwy in one of the ties of the round.
Another high-flying north Wales side, Mold, may have needed extra-time to scrape past Llanharan, 20-17, in appalling conditions at the Dairy Field in the last round, but their reward was a home tie against Rumney.
Trebanos had to dig deep to overcome 2013 winners Heol y Cyw, scoring two tries in the last five minutes before running out 22-16 winners, and they face a tricky away trip to Division 1 East side Nelson. Coached by former Wales and Dragons lock Andrew Coombs, Nelson are second in their division and have lost only once this season.
Reigning North champions Pwllheli had to head to west Wales in the last round, where they earned a hard-fought 29-20 win over Llanelli Wanderers, and they travel east this time to face Division 2 East Central side Llanishen.
Croesyceiliog are punching well above their weight this season and have only lost twice in Division 2 East to date, leaving them in fourth place with a game in hand on the teams above them. They disposed of the Division 1 West leaders Kidwelly, 27-16, in the last round and face a short trip to a team from their own league, Abercarn, who they have already beaten once this season.
In the Bowl, unbeaten Amman United are hoping home advantage will give them the edge over Monmouth. They thrashed St Alban’s 39-5 in Round 4 and are well-placed to attempt a league and cup double as they currently lead Division 3 West B by four points with a perfect ten-from-ten record.
Monmouth, mid-table in Division 3 East A, pipped Llantwit Major 12-10 to set-up the Round 5 trip. Reigning champions Burry Port, hot on the heels of Amman United in the league, will host Division 2 North East leaders Wrexham having thumped Tylorstown 34-0 away from home in the last round.
Last season’s beaten finalists, Taffs Well, earned their away trip to Treherbert with a 24-9 win at Newport HSOB in Round 4. They have already beaten their Division 3 East Central A rivals 20-9 this season at home.
The 2015 runners-up, Cambrian Welfare, are top of Division 3 East Central A with 11 successive wins and will host the side who are hot on their heels in the table, Cilfynydd. When the two teams last met on 26 November, Cambrian came out on top in a 22-21 thriller, and they currently have an eight point lead over their biggest league title rivals.
Wattstown travel to Caerphilly after beating Bangor University 23-16, whilst Nantyffyllon play Milford Haven after both sides edged their way into the hat. Denbigh face a lengthy 112-mile trip as they go to Cardigan, who beat Betws in the previous round.
WRU NATIONAL PLATE – ROUND 4
Aberavon Quins v Penallta
Abercarn v Croesyceiliog
Llanishen v Pwllheli
Mold v Rumney
Nant Conwy v Rhydyfelin
Nelson v Trebanos
St Peter’s v Gowerton
Ystalyfera v Dowlais
WRU NATIONAL BOWL – ROUND 5
Amman United v Monmouth
Burry Port v Wrexham
Caerphilly v Wattstown
Cambrian Welfare v Cilfynydd
Cardigan v Denbigh
Nantyffyllon v Milford Haven
Treherbert v Taffs Well
Trimsaran v Swansea Uplands
