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Gilfach Goch in Swalec Cup ‘dreamland’

Gilfach Goch in Swalec Cup ‘dreamland’

News of the latest round of the SWALEC Cup, bowl and Plate, to be played on the weekend of 24 January

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 Gilfach Goch were placed in “dreamland” when the draw for the fifth round of the SWALEC Cup was made by bagging a home tie against holders Neath on the weekend of 24 January.

It was just the early Christmas present the Division 2 East club were hoping for as they seek to build on their 22-3 fourth round triumph over Cwmbran.

“We’re living in dreamland,” said Gilfach coach Adrian Neck. “We’re looking at it as a David v Goliath clash, but we will give it our best shot despite facing a side of their pedigree.”

Gilfach Goch were promoted from Division 3 East last season and are currently occupying their highest ever league position of fourth place in Division 2 East. Promotion is still in their sights, but over the festive season all eyes will be firmly fixed on preparing for the cup tie with Neath.

“The players have worked hard get where they are. Everyone at the club is looking forward to the match with Neath – it’s going to be a major event for the club,” added Neck.

Neath are one of seven Premiership sides who have to travel in round five, with leaders Llanelli joining the champions in facing a trek to a lower division outfit. They will travel to the home of renowned Division 3 East cup battlers Garndiffaith.

Cardiff will be back on the road following their routine 55-17 triumph in north Wales over Bethesda in round four. This time their journey will take them to Pembrokeshire to face Division 1 West side Narberth.

Another Division 1 West side, Corus, will also host a Premiership club. Currently in fifth place in the table, one behind Narberth, Corus’s reward for their walk-over against Fleur-de-Lys is a home clash with near neighbours Aberavon.

High scoring Swansea, who beat Bala 104-3 last weekend, will take to the road next month and can expect a far harder time at Bridgend Athletic, who beat Chepstow 72-3

There are two all-Premiership clashes, with Pontypridd hosting Pontypool and Newport entertaining Bridgend. Newport have already beaten Bridgend in the league this season, a narrow 18-17 win at the Brewery Field, and they will play the return match on 3 January ahead of their cup clash.

There are four other Premiership sides who will have home advantage next month. Ebbw Vale will host Ynysybwl of Division 2 East and Llandovery will welcome Bargoed, from Division 1 East.

Glamorgan Wanderers will have their hands full when they meet the giant killers of Round 4, Newbridge in Cardiff. Newbridge were 18-15 winners over Premiership rivals Bedwas away from home last weekend and will fancy their chances of causing another upset in Round 5.

They currently lead Division 1 East and are hoping to return to the top flight next season. Cross Keys are also at home to Builth Wells.

Rumney and Caerphilly, both from Division 1 East, will have home ties as they aim to reach the last 16. Rumney host the current runaway leaders of Division 2 East, Tredegar, while Caerphilly will meet either fellow Division 1 East side Penallta or Llangennech, of Division 1 West, at Virginia Park.

SWALEC CUP 2008-2009
 
ROUND 5
To be played the weekend of 24th January 2009
 
 
 
 
1.
 
Gilfach Goch RFC
 
v
 
Neath RFC
 
2.
 
Garndiffaith RFC
 
v
 
Llanelli RFC
 
3.
 
Bridgend Ath RFC
 
v
 
 
Swansea RFC
 
4.
 
Rumney RFC
 
v
 
Tredegar RFC
 
5.
 
Cross Keys RFC
 
v
 
Builth Wells RFC
 
6.
 
Llantwit Fardre RFC
 
v
 
 
Whitland RFC
 
7.
 
Pontypridd RFC
 
v
 
Pontypool RFC
 
8.
 
Corus RFC
 
v
 
Aberavon RFC
 
9.
 
Caerphilly RFC
 
v
 
 
Penallta RFC / Llangennech RFC
 
10.
 
Ebbw Vale RFC
 
v
 
Ynysybwl RFC
 
11.
 
Llanharan RFC
 
v
 
Tonmawr RFC
 
12.
 
Glamorgan Wdrs RFC
 
v
 
 
Newbridge RFC
 
13.
 
Narberth RFC
 
v
 
Cardiff RFC
 
14.
 
Tondu RFC
 
v
 
Carmarthen Quins RFC
 
15.
 
Newport RFC
 
v
 
 
Bridgend RFC
 
16.
 
Llandovery RFC
 
v
 
Bargoed RFC
 
SWALEC PLATE 2008-2009
 
ROUND 3
To be played the weekend of 24th January 2009
 
POOL 1
 
1.
 
Newcastle Emlyn RFC
 
 
v
 
Pembroke RFC
POOL 2
 
1.
 
Llangefni RFC
 
v
 
Laugharne RFC
POOL 3
 
1.
 
Pwllheli RFC
 
v
 
Llanelli Wanderers RFC
POOL 4
 
1.
 
Ammanford RFC
 
v
 
Penclawdd RFC
POOL 5 
 
1.
 
Brynamman RFC
 
v
 
Cwmgwrach RFC
POOL 6
 
1.
 
Resolven RFC
 
v
 
Seven Sisters RFC
POOL 7
 
1.
 
Nantyffyllon RFC
 
v
 
Taibach RFC
POOL 8
 
1.
 
Pontycymmer RFC
 
v
 
Nantymoel RFC
POOL 9
 
1.
 
Treherbert/Heol y Cyw RFC
 
v
 
Brecon RFC
POOL 10
 
1.
 
Tonyrefail RFC
 
v
 
Pentyrch RFC
POOL 11
 
1.
 
Fairwater RFC
 
v
 
Cardiff Uni RFC

POOL 12

 
1.
 
Rhydyfelin RFC
 
v
 
Cilfynydd RFC
 
 
POOL 13
 
1.
 
Mountain Ash RFC
 
v
 
Nelson RFC
POOL 14
 
1.
 
Rhymney RFC
 
v
 
Tredegar Ironsides RFC
POOL 15 
 
1.
 
Abertillery BG RFC
 
v
 
Blaina RFC
POOL 16
 
1.
 
Croesyceiliog RFC
 
v
 
Risca RFC
 
SWALEC BOWL 2008-2009
 
ROUND 2
To be played the weekend of 24th January 2009
 
POOL 1
 
1.
 
Aberaeron RFC
 
v
 
Fishguard & Goodwick RFC
 
2.
 
Lampeter RFC
 
v
 
Furnace RFC
POOL 2
 
1.
 
Amman United RFC
 
v
 
Gowerton RFC
 
2.
 
Bynea RFC
 
v
 
Gorseinon RFC
POOL 3
 
1.
 
Cwmtwrch RFC
 
v
 
Alltwen RFC
 
2.
 
Morriston RFC
 
v
 
Glais RFC
POOL 4
 
1.
 
Baglan RFC
 
v
 
Glyncorrwg RFC
 
2.
 
Newtown RFC
 
v
 
Aberavon Green Stars RFC
 
POOL 5
 
1.
 
Ferndale RFC
 
v
 
Rhigos RFC
 
2.
 
Pontyclun RFC
 
v
 
Bridgend Sports RFC
POOL 6
 
1.
 
Canton RFC
 
v
 
Old Penarthians RFC
 
2.
 
Cardiff HSOB RFC
 
v
 
Rhiwbina RFC
POOL 7
 
1.
 
Pontllanfraith RFC
 
v
 
Crumlin RFC
 
2.
 
Dowlais RFC
 
v
 
St Albans RFC
POOL 8
 
1.
 
Abercarn RFC
 
v
 
Abergavenny RFC
 
2.
 
Llanhilleth RFC
 
v
 
Usk RFC

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