They meet Heol y Cyw of SWALEC League One East at Abernant Park, home of Glynneath RFC, while the other semi-final sees Rhydyfelin and Ystrad Rhondda battle it out at Cae Gwn, home of Taffs Well RFC. The winners will meet in a Millennium Stadium on May 4.
Cwmllynfell have seen off Brynamman, Bryncoch, Pontarddulais and Kidwelly to reach this late stage, and with all of those ties having been away from their Parc y Bryn home, the trip to Glynneath will hold no fears.
Having reached the quarter-finals last season, Cwmllynfell have already gone further this year then ever before, and with only two league defeats to date, they will be in confident mood to overcome the challenge from their opponents who are down in ninth place in One East.
Heol y Cyw defeated Pencoed, Fairwater, Penallta and Pill Harriers to reach the semi-final, with the 25-3 victory over Plate holders Penallta a fine performance. This will have put them in good heart to face Cwmllynfell.
Rhydyfelin got the better of Senghenydd, Rhymney, Rhiwbina and Llantrisant to make the semi-finals, going one better than 2009-10 when they were quarter-finalists. Three of those ties were away from their Hawthorn Recreation Ground home and with a 17-7 league victory at Ystrad Rhondda already in the bag this season they will be up for the challenge when they take the field in Taffs Well.
Ystrad Rhondda are favourites as they are second in One East with only two league defeats and 77 tries recorded so far this season. But as one of those defeats was by Rhydyfelin, this could be a tough challenge for last year’s beaten semi-finalists.
Ystrad Rhondda defeated Pentyrch, Merthyr, Treorchy and Kenfig Hill, although the Mules made them fight all the way before they won their quarter-final at Gelligaled Parc 9-3.
SWALEC Plate semi-finals: Saturday, KO 2.30pm
Cwmllynfell v Heol y Cyw (Glynneath RFC)
Rhydyfelin v Ystrad Rhondda (Taffs Well RFC)
In the SWALEC Bowl, All four semi-finalists come from SWALEC Division Four with Cilfynydd and Blaenavon representing Four East, Fishguard from Four West, and Wattstown from Four South East.
Cilfynydd are top of Four East and face Fishguard at Loughor RFC having only suffered two defeats in the league programme to date. During this time, they have shown an aptitude for scoring tries, running in 80 so far this season. To reach this stage, they defeated Llanrumney, Llandaff, Old Illtydians, Canton, Newport Saracens, and Cambrian Welfare, 11-6, in the quarter-final.
Fishguard are in midtable in Four West due mainly to a lack of tries, only 33 registered in their 14 matches. But on the other hand, they have a tight defence that could hold their opponents up. To reach the semi-finals, they defeated Pantyffynon, Pembroke, Aberaeron, Shotton Steel and Pontycymmer and this tie could be decided on how long the Four West side can keep the high-scoring Cilfynydd at bay.
Wattstown meet Blaenavon at Pandy Park, home of Cross Keys in the other semi-final. It has been a good league season for Wattstown who are top of Four South East with only three defeats and a draw from 16 matches. Their strength lies in defence with only 17 conceded in those matches. After a series of walk-overs they beat Llantwit Major, Tycroes and Nantyglo so have had an easier trip to this stage
Blaenavon have only had their colours lowered once this season and with games in hand, they lie fourth in Four East. Ynysddu, Chepstow, Brynithel, Glyncorrwg and Penlan were all dispatched en route to the semi-finals and this tie could go either way.
SWALEC Bowl semi-finals: Saturday, KO 2.30pm
Cilfynydd v Fishguard (Loughor RFC)
Wattstown v Blaenavon (Cross Keys RFC)
