Konica Minolta Cup semi-finals hot up

First up Llanelli will be up against regional colleagues Llandovery at Aberavon’s Talbot Athletic Ground on Saturday (kick-off 6.05pm). Then Cardiff will face Bridgend at 4.40pm on Sunday afternoon at Pontypridd’s Sardis Road ground.

Llandovery had never reached a quarter-final in the Cup before this season, now they have a chance to create history by reaching the final for the first time if they can extend their unbeaten record against Llanelli over recent seasons. The WRU Cup has never been won by a club outside the old Merit Table.

“I was just looking at the Cup and all the winners names on it; no outsiders have ever won the Cup before so it is a great challenge,” admitted Llandovery Captain Arwel Davies.

“Our record is good against Llanelli, but I do not want to dwell on that and form will be out of the window on Saturday. It will be nitty, gritty, nothing pretty. There is a great rivalry between us and all the boys enjoy playing against Llanelli, a bigger named club than Llandovery.”

Llanelli have lifted the Cup 13 times and that tradition has been passed on to the current crop of players by former Wales greats such as Phil Bennett and Ray Gravelle. Llanelli won it for the 13th time two seasons ago in one of the all-time great comebacks against Pontypridd and they want to return to the Millennium Stadium.

“Through the Cup run we have had Ray Gravelle and Phil Bennett come down and they have spoken about the Cup with real heart and emotion. It brought home to the boys how important it really is, not just to the players but also the people of Llanelli,” admitted Captain and lock Chris Rowe.

“It is going to be a huge occasion which everybody wants to be part of. I know what sort of side Llandovery are and they will come at us at 110 miles per hour because they want to put their names down in history as the first Llandovery side to reach the final and we totally understand that, but we want to get there as well.

“It is the Welsh Cup, for example Delme Thomas and these guys have played in it, you are lifting the same Cup they did and they are legends of the sport. This is a huge competition for us, we enjoyed 2005 and we want to be back there.”

The second semi-final will see the renewal of a more traditional Cup rivalry between Cardiff and Bridgend. Cardiff have won the Cup seven times, Bridgend twice, while in 1981 and 1982 Cardiff beat Bridgend in the final.

However, Cardiff have not lifted the trophy since 1997 and that is something the current players are determined to put right. “It is a huge game for the club with our history in the Konica Minolta Cup, definitely the biggest game of our season,” admitted star fullback Jamie Roberts.

“Unfortunately we lost in the semi-final last year and it was not very nice with a chance to play at the Millennium Stadium gone begging, so we promised ourselves at the start of the season we would have a good Cup run. Every player involved would love to play here at the stadium.

“We have definitely got the playing ability and confidence to beat them. They are a good team, a tough side, but if we can play with the continuity and width that we have in the last couple of games then we can get to the final.”

The two teams have honours even so far this season, Bridgend winning the clash at the Brewery Field and then Cardiff coming out on top at the Arms Park. Bridgend centre Leighton Thomas is looking forward to making it 2-1 to his team.

“It is a big occasion for the club because we have not done too well in the league this season and there is a big rivalry between the supporters – this was always a very anticipated fixture and it will be no different on Sunday,” said Thomas.

“Cardiff are higher placed in the league so they will be favourites but that can be a good thing. I think it will be a cracker, very tense early doors but then it could open up for one side or the other after that.

“Since the Warriors were disbanded there has been a lack of achievement in the area, so this would be massive.”

Konica Minolta Cup (semi-finals)
Llandovery v Llanelli  (Saturday April 14th, Aberavon 6.05pm)
Cardiff v Bridgend (Sunday April 15th, Pontypridd 4.40pm)