Bedwas finished top of Pool A while Quins ruled the roost in Pool B with Merthyr dominating Pool C while Bridgend edged home in Pool D.
“It’s pleasing to make the semi-finals of the Foster’s Challenge Cup – especially as we are the only side outside of the top four who were top of the tree at the end of the first phase of the Principality Premiership season, to make the last four of the cup,” said Bridgend head coach, Matt Silva.
“We are all looking forward massively to the game – to be honest we would have fancied a faster track. We know going to Pandy Park will be more like a home game for Bedwas and it’s a big ask for us but it is a challenge we are relishing.”
Bridgend earned their semi-final spot on the back of winning a competitive Pool D where the Ravens won five of their six games – the only defeat being to Aberavon but the Ravens gained revenge in the return fixture when securing a 41-31 triumph at home.
The fact this his side were competitive in both games against the Wizards – who finished top of the Premiership table before the 16 teams were split in to two tiers, provides Silva with plenty of encouragement as his side targets some silverware this season.
“While a lot of teams were quite relaxed in their team selection for the Foster’s Challenge Cup, experimenting with their squads, we used it to give local players an opportunity to step up to the mark. On the back of that we had three players force their way into our squad.
“Back row Garyn Daniel from Treorchy, wing Mathew Edwards from Trebanos and Bridgend Athletic full back Dan Howells all performed well. They came in and pushed competition levels within the squad up, and as a result it drove up the team performances.
“I also took a step backwards from the coaching side of things during the competition as I felt it was important for Demetrius Brook, Nicky Roberts, Grant Hall and Gareth Edwards to take the lead in various roles like selection and analysis,” added Silva.
Foster’s Challenge Cup semi-finals – Wednesday 15 March
Carmarthen Quins v Merthyr at Talbot Athletic Ground (7.30pm)
Bedwas v Bridgend at Pandy Park (7.30pm)
