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Konica Minolta Cup Preview

Konica Minolta Cup Preview

Bridgend meet Newbridge at the Brewery Field in one of three all-Premier clashes in round five of the Konica Minolta Cup.

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The Ravens had a comfortable 67-0 victory at Brynithel in the last round with hat-tricks for Richard Mustoe and Anthony Piper but Newbridge are sure to be a far harder proposition. They are one point off the bottom of the Premier Division and will view this cup tie as a welcome release from the rigours of league rugby.

Their 52-0 win at Llandaff North in round four will give them every confidence particularly after holding Bridgend to a 27-27 scoreline in the League at the Welfare Ground last October.

High-flying Neath entertain Pontypool with Pooler still smarting from last week’s 47-0 thrashing at Bridgend. They beat Nantymoel 35-8 in the last round with a brace of tries from Joel Griffin but Neath at the Gnoll will be an entirely different prospect.

The Welsh All Blacks are looking for a cup and league double this season but they will not want another tight game like the last round where they only edged Llandovery out 20-19, but with a 26-13 success in the league already in the bag, Neath will be confident of making progress.

The final all-Premier meeting will take place on Sunday when leaders Newport make the short trip to Pandy Park to play Cross Keys. Newport beat Keys 37-13 when they met in the league at Rodney Parade but the clubs have never met in a WRU cup competition. The Black and Ambers are another side with their eye on the double.

Division Four North outfit Llangefni entered the cup at round one with a 20-11 victory at Ferndale and they will be hoping to upset the odds yet again when they entertain Abercynon from Division Two East, while Three South West side Nantyffyllon should enjoy the experience of taking on Swansea at St Helen’s.

Aberavon must beware visitors Banwen who lead Division Three South West with only one defeat from 15 outings. The Wizards turned on the heat in the second half against Merthyr in the last round to turn a 7-6 interval scoreline into a resounding 43-13 success.

Caerphilly will need to pull out all the stops against Maesteg who lead Division One by nine points. The Castletown men are having a reasonable season in the top flight and they eased into this stage with a sparkling 47-0 demolition of Carmarthen Athletic. Maesteg are unbeaten so far this season and this one could go either way.

Brynmawr, shock conquerors of Cardiff in round four, entertain a Rhymney side struggling for consistency in Division Two East. The Brewers are unlikely to dent the hopes of a Brynmawr side who have shown steady improvement over the last few seasons.

Bedwas entertain Llanharan from Division One and this could be another close encounter. The Dairymen are going well in their division and will be confident of causing an upset, while at Eugene Cross Park, Ebbw Vale take on Felinfoel of Two West.

The final Premier side involved in round five, Pontypridd, travel to Gorseinon where they meet a side lying in fourth place in Three West.

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