Seven Championship sides remain in the hunt for a place in the Millennium Stadium final and with RGC 1404 travelling to Eugene Cross Park to take on Ebbw Vale, there is guaranteed representation from the second tier in the last eight draw.
Sadly though, Ebbw Vale and RGC will have to wait to see who progresses with tomorrow’s match postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.
Cardiff Met, Newbridge, Bridgend Athletic, Narberth and Tondu complete the rest of the Championship’s representation with all five up against Principality Premiership opposition. Llanelli face a trip to Cardiff Arms Park to tackle Cardiff Met on Sunday afternoon while Newbridge play Cardiff at the same venue a day earlier. Bridgend Athletic travel to inform Carmarthen Quins, Narberth host Aberavon and Tondu welcome Llandovery as the Waterwheelers look for another upset.
The two other clashes are all Premiership affairs – Bedwas and Cross Keys meet for the second time in quick succession while Pontypridd and Newport has also sadly been postponed.
Keys were on the wrong end of a 22-12 score line on their last visit to the Bridge Field three weeks ago and are targeting an improved performance this weekend.
“Bedwas performed well against us when we met in the league recently and they thoroughly deserved to win,” said Keys head coach Greg Woods.
“We need to be a lot better and stronger up front as I think the weather will have a big impact on the game.
“We were a lot better against Llanelli last Friday and it was pleasing to see us bounce back and get a good result against a good side. The challenge for us now is to put in another good performance, especially from the forwards. We are expecting a tight battle.”
Bedwas forwards coach Ian Gardner said: “I think there will be extra spice to this game given the recent Bedwas win against Keys. We know they will be hurting from that loss, the challenge for us is to raise the bar even higher from our last game against them.”
At the Lewis Lloyd Ground, two former Llanelli front row stalwarts go head-to-head. Narberth head coach Sean Gale spent a number of seasons playing alongside Aberavon boss Jason Hyatt but the firm friends will be putting pleasantries to one side tomorrow.
The Otters are fourth in the SWALEC Championship but know they are underdogs against the Wizards, who have been on a good run of late, bolstered by a raft of new signings.
“We’ve been going well in the league and only lost one game since October,” said Gale. “The conditions are going to be a great leveller but we are hoping the game will go ahead as it’s a big day for us in Pembrokeshire.
“Aberavon are the favourites but we’re at home and anything can happen. It will be an interesting game, it’s a good opportunity for us and we will certainly be giving it our all.”
Elsewhere, the wet weather has hit fixtures in the SWALEC Plate and Bowl. A number of matches have fallen victim to the conditions but there are still 10 games which go ahead.
SWALEC Cup fixtures:
Saturday, February 15. (All KO’s 2.30pm)
Bedwas v Cross Keys
Cardiff v Newbridge
Carmarthen Quins v Bridgend Athletic
Ebbw Vale v RGC 1404 (POSTPONED)
Narberth v Aberavon
Pontypridd v Newport (POSTPONED)
Tondu v Llandovery
Sunday, February 16
Cardiff Met v Llanelli (KO 5pm, Cardiff Arms Park)
SWALEC Plate fixtures:
Saturday, February 15. (All KO’s 2.30pm)
The Wanderers v Llantwit Fardre (POSTPONED)
Amman United v Abergavenny
Caernarfon v Nant Conwy
Glynneath v Waunarlwydd
Kenfig Hill v Maesteg Harlequins
Merthyr v Risca RFC (POSTPONED)
Nelson v Llangennech
Rhiwbina v Kidwelly
SWALEC Bowl fixtures:
Saturday, February 15. (All KO’s 2.30pm)
Cowbridge v Nantymoel (POSTPONED)
Hartridge v Laugharne
Lampeter Town v Clwb Rygbi Cymry Caerdydd
Llantwit Major v Beaufort (POSTPONED)
Old Illtydians v Abertysswg Falcons (POSTPONED)
Pyle v Cwmgors (POSTPONED)
Tredegar Ironsides v Llandudno
Ystradgynlais v Mold
