Beaten at Principality Stadium by Bedlinog with a last-gasp drop goal last season, Penallta cruised into Round 4 with a big win over Treorchy at the weekend. Third in Division 1 East Central, they have an identical league record to the Quins with eight wins in nine games.
The Quins comfortably beat Brymawr last weekend having previously squeezed past league rivals Kenfig Hill, 15-14, in the opening round. They then knocked-put Ruthin in Round 2.
Two former runners-up, Nant Conwy and Rhydyfelin, will meet in north Wales. Nant lost out to Penallta in the 2012 final, whilst Rhydyfelin fell short to Heol-y-Cyw a year later.
Both sides have made blistering starts to their league campaigns with Nant Conwy leading the way in Division 1 North, having lost just once, whilst Rhydyfelin lead Division 1 East with a perfect record. Nant thumped Pontypool United 43-19 before edging past a stubborn Maesteg Quins side, 10-0, to book their place in the last 16.
Rhydyfelin have shown their class in the Plate by amassing 165 points in successive wins over Garndiffaith, Carmarthen Athletic and Ammanford to add to their unbeaten run in the league.
Croesyceiliog’s reward for downing Division 1 West leaders Kidwelly last weekend is a trip to Abercarn for an all-Division 2 East match-up. The two teams are neck and neck in the league, with both locked on 30 points, although Abercarn lost 16-5 at Croesyceiliog 16-5 in a league game in November.
Pwllheli have been given a long trip down south to play Division 2 East Central side Llanishen. The north Wales champions are still undefeated in their league campaign, while Llanishen, who upset the odds last weekend to beat the 2014 runners-up Rhiwbina, are ninth in their Division.
Trebanos fell short in the 2010 Bowl final, but they are still on course for a possible return to the Welsh capital in May thanks to a 22-16 victory over former Plate champions Heol y Cyw. Third in Division 1 West Central, Trebanos face a tricky trip to Division 1 East high flyers Nelson, who thumped Cardiff Quins 46-3 to seal their last 16 tie.
Former cup giant-killers St Peter’s will host either Gowerton or Abergavenny, Ystalyfera play Dowlais and Mold welcome the winner of the postponed Round 3 match between Blackwood and Rumney.
WRU NATIONAL PLATE
To be played the weekend of 14th January 2017
Aberavon Quins v Penallta
Abercarn v Croesyceiliog
Llanishen v Pwllheli
Mold v Blackwood / Rumney
Nant Conwy v Rhydyfelin
Nelson v Trebanos
St Peter’s v Gowerton / Abergavenny
Ystalyfera v Dowlais
