They followed that up with back-to-back promotions to Division 2 East this season and will go into their WRU National Plate semi-final against Ystalyfera at the Dairy Field, Llanharan, with nothing to lose.
Ystalyfera, who play in Division 1 West Central, may be the higher ranked team, but Abercarn have proved this season they are no respecters of rank or reputation. They looked dead and buried in the quarter-final at the home of reigning north Wales champions Pwllheli, when they trailed 21-8.
But they battled back to steal a memorable victory and will go into the semi-final fearing nothing. With victories over Pencoed, Llandudno, Croesyceiliog and Pwllheli already in the bag their sights are now firmly set on the west walians.
“We went up to Pwllheli and after a big journey, and at 21-8 down, you wondered what would happen, But the boys dug in and played really well for a brilliant win,” coach Dai Price told the South Wales Argus.
“I think we will naturally be underdogs again this weekend because Ystalyfera are in Division One. But it’s cup rugby, so anything can happen and we have shown what we can do to get here.
“It’s a huge game for the club and the players. It’s a really nice situation for us to be in because we never expected any of this.
“After two good promotions we just wanted to consolidate in Division Two. We didn’t really think we had a chance against teams from Division One in the cup, so this is all a bonus.”
Currently lying in fifth place with 10 wins from their 15 league games to date in Division 2 East, Abercarn have had a training session with National Cup semi-finalists Cross Keys in the build-up to this weekend and were also given advice by Dragons academy coach Richie Rees.
Ystalyfera won away from home in the opening two rounds before putting together three successive home wins over Mountain Ash, Dowlais and Rumney to reach their first semi-final. They currently sit in ninth place in Division 1 West Central.
Skipper and No 8 Steffan Jones led the side to victory over Rumney in the quarter-finals with a try in the 30-20 triumph and he will be a key figure and his side will be roared on by three coach load of supporters.
The other semi-final is a repeat of the 2012 final, when Penallta beat Nant Conwy 21-15. The Pitmen were back at the Principality Stadium last year when they endured a heartbreaking 12-10 defeat against Bedlinog thanks to a last minute drop goal.
Penallta will have Ospreys Academy and Bridgend outside half Joe Scrivens joining Aeron Bidgood at half-back and will be looking to build on their quarter-final triumph over bitter rivals Nelson in the last round. The teams meet in Newtown with Nant, top of Division 1 North, looking to inspire a double North Wales assault on the Principality Stadium for finals day – RGC 1404 meet Merthyr in the semi-finals of the National Cup later in the day.
WRU National Plate
Penallta v Nant Conwy – Recreation Ground, Newtown (2.30pm kick-off)
Abercarn v Ystalyfera – Dairy Field, Llanharan (2.30pm kick-off)
TEAMS
Abercarn: Jason Evans; Gareth Williams, Jack Davies, Owen Coomber, Sean Higgins; Jamie Baker, Rhys Morgan; Neil Hopkins, Aaron Davies, Nathan Curtis, Mark Davies, Mark Curtis, Greg Baker, Ben Phillips, Gareth Peebles
Reps: Kris Kinsey, Sean Kent, Richard Partridge, Lewis James, Jordan Richards, Colin Manning, Josh Steer, Aled Brown
Penallta: Lloyd Rowlands; Matthew Brewer, Andrew Jenkins, Jon Wright, Elliot Keep; Joe Scrivens, Aeron Bidgood; Matthew Angel, Gregg Haines, Lloyd Bridges, Lee Rowlands, Corey Tucker, Rhys Stephens, Ross Morgan (captain), Geraint Caple
Reps: Kieron Mahoney, Jack Thomas, Rhys Spanswick, Max George, Geraint Dallimore, Zac Cusack, Gareth Edwards, Grant Pearce
Ystalyfera: Steffan Castle; Emyr Myers, Jonathan Bayliss, Mathew Scott, Josh Jarrett; Gareth James, Nathan Conelius, Rob White, Owen Phillips, Jon Williams, Cameron Miguel, Paul Davies, Jesse Patton, Owain Morgan, Steff Jones (captain)
Reps: Dan White, Kevin Allen, Marcus Davies, Ryan Evans, Tom Lewis, Tom Barry, Graham Jones, Gavin Williams
HOW THEY REACHED THE PLATE SEMI-FINALS
Abercarn
Rd1: Bye; Rd2: Abercarn 30, Pencoed 12; Rd3: Abercarn 47, Llandudno 19; Rd4: Abercarn 22, Croesyceiliog 6; QF: Pwllheli 26, Abercarn 34
Nant Conwy
Rd1: Bye; Rd2: Nant Conwy 43, Pontypool United 19; Rd3: Nant Conwy 10, Maesteg Quins 0; Rd4: Nant Conwy 17, Rhydyfelin 12; QF: Nant Conwy 21, St Peter’s 5
Penallta
Rd1: Penallta 25, Caerleon 17; Rd2: Penallta 41, Brecon 6; Rd3: Penallta 36, Treorchy 9; Rd4: Aberavon Quins 10, Penallta 23; QF: Penallta 20, Nelson 16
Ystalyfera
Rd1: Maesteg Celtic 19, Ystalyfera 49; Rd2: Mumbles 34, Ystalyfera 35; Rd3: Ystalyfera 31, Mountain Ash 19; Rd4: Ystalyfera 12, Dowlais 5; QF: Ystalyfera 30, Rumney 20
