Ponty were the winners when they edged out the Welsh All Blacks 26-25 in a thrilling 2006 final and Neath will be keen to enact revenge this year to claim a cup and league double.
Pontypridd’s route to the final began in round three with a 48-3 victory at Ammanford but they were drawn away to 13-times winners Llanelli in the next round. Down 12-3 at the interval they stormed back with three second-half tries to stun the cup kings 22-12.
Yet another away trip beckoned in round five as they headed for Division One East side Blackwood, and tries from Nathan Strong, Paul Matthews, Wayne O’Connor and a brace by Chris Clayton were enough to make progress to the quarter-final after a 28-7 victory.
A home tie was very welcome for the Sardis Road fans and Bridgend were put to the sword in a five-try 41-11 romp. The semi-final against Aberavon saw Gareth McCarthy tot up 16 points as Ponty defeated the Wizards 33-10 to reach the final for the seventh time, three of which have ended in victory.
Neath’s passage to the final began at Division Six East side Blackwood Stars and the Premier side made their class tell with an 83-17 success. Round four was to be a far harder encounter as fellow Premier side Swansea were the visitors to the Gnoll. The All Whites put up a good fight but tries from Matthew Nuthall, Kevin James, Steve Thomas and Arwel Thomas gave Neath a 27-18 win.
They were back on the road in round five with a tough tie at Division One West leaders Tonmawr. This game went to the wire with a 20-20 draw and Neath only scraped through thanks to a 3-2 try count.
It was off to Pandy Park for the quarter-final and though Cross Keys went over for four tries, Neath crossed six times to win 44-28 and so set up a semi-final tie against Glamorgan Wanderers. In a high-scoring match of 12 tries, the Welsh All Blacks came out on top 49-37 to reach their 11th final, four of which have ended in victory.
With both sides at full strength it should be a classic meeting between two sides that have scored over 150 tries between them during the Premier League season.
