Principality Cup Quarter-final Previews
Friday, March 29.
CARDIFF v NEWPORT (7.05pm, at the Arms Park).
The holders, Newport face their oldest enemies, Cardiff, in their sternest test since lifting the Cup last May against Neath at the Millennium Stadium Cardiff have a 13-5 lead in league matches between the two clubs and by 4-3 in cup battles, but it is 8-2 in league matches in Cardiff with the sole meeting this season being a 20-14 win to Cardiff last August.
The clubs have met in total nearly 400 times and a crowd of 48,500 watched the match at Cardiff on February 17, 1951 when Newport on 8-3. It was then a world record crowd for a club match.
Newport’s last league win in Cardiff was in 1995/96 by 22-18.The clubs used to meet four times in a season, with Newport never having won all four matches, though Cardiff have done so four times.
They have met twice in finals with Newport winning in 1977 and Cardiff in 1986.Cardiff have won the cup seven times compared to two by Newport.
Saturday, March 30.
LLANELLI v BRIDGEND (2.30pm, at Stradey Park).
The mighty Scarlets play their 150th Welsh Cup match – more than any other club in Wales – having won 130 ties. They lead Bridgend by 8-3 on wins in the cup and have won all five home ties, while they are the cup kings of Wales, lifting the trophy on 11 occasions, while Bridgend have won twice.
The clubs have met in five semi-finals and four quarter-finals with Bridgend having won 91 ties and lost 28. Llanelli lead Bridgend 12-10 overall in league meetings, but at Stradey Park, Bridgend’s last league win was in 1993/94.
Llanelli have already completed a league double this season, winning 36-3 (home-September 1) and by 33-31(away-December 29).
Saturday, March 30.
PONTYPOOL v EBBW VALE (5.30pm, at Pontypool Park).
Pontypool had already beaten British Steel 31-15 away and Beddau 50-7 also away, before surprising Swansea by 16-14 at home in round six. They are the only non-premier club remaining in the competition.
Ebbw Vale were the only Premier side to play in round five and beat Llandovery 43-15 away before knocking out Neath by 20-10 at Eugene Cross Park. In previous Cup meetings Pontypool lead 2-0, winning both games away – by 18-10 in 1974 and by 12-9 in 1990.
Pontypool won the Cup in 1982/83 season, while Ebbw Vale have been runners-up on one occasion. In overall ties, Pontypool have won 77 and lost 29; Ebbw Vale have won 68 and lost 30.The clubs have never met in a league match.
Saturday, March 30.
PONTYPRIDD v CAERPHILLY (2.30pm, at Sardis Road).
Pontypridd beat Blackwood 24-8 away in the last round and Caerphilly won at Narberth by 19-15.
The clubs have surprisingly never met in a cup match before. It is Caerphilly’s third quarter-final, having lost to Newport (1995/96) and to Ebbw Vale last season.
Pontypridd won the Cup in 1995/96 season and have been runners-up once, winning 76 ties and losing 29. Pontypridd lead Caerphilly 10-0 in league victories (5 home, 5 away) This season Pontypridd have already completed the double, winning 38-8 at home (September 22) and 36-16 away (January 19).
