But there was no joy for Denbigh or Wrexham on their travels in the National Bowl competition as they crashed out. Mold were also piped to a place in the last eight in the Plate as they went down to Rumney, 20-17.
Despite falling behind to a 12th minute try from Chris Phillips, Division 1 North leaders Nant Conwy battled back to lead 14-5 at the break thanks to tries from Delwyn Jones and Jack Moriarty, both of which Jones converted.
Rhydyfelin hit back 10 minutes into the second half with a try from Kyle Perry that Dai Gratton improved to cut the gap to two points, but man of the match Delwyn Jones kicked a penalty 10 minutes from time to ensure Nant, the 2012 finalists, went through.
Reigning north Wales champions Pwllheli were pushed all the way by Division 2 East Central side Llanishen and needed a last gasp penalty from Osian Parry-Jones to pull off a 29-26 victory. Their attention will now turn to their top of the table clash with Nant Conwy at home on Saturday.
Last year’s Plate runners-up, Penallta, were too strong for Division 1 West Central promotion candidates Aberavon Quins. They ran out 23-10 winners away from home despite having Gregg Haines red carded for stamping in the first-half.
Skipper Ross Morgan, Elliott Keep and Lloyd Rowlands scored tries for the visitors, with Rowlands also adding eight points from the kicking tee for a match tally of 13 points. Marc Sheppard kicked a penalty and then converted his own try to cut the gap to three points in the second half, but that was as good as it got for the home side.
Rumney put aside the poor form that sees them lying in 10th in Division 1 East Central to win 20-17 away to Mold. There were tries from Calum McDonald and captain Mike Young and Danny Clarke kept his nerve to add to second half conversions to his two first half penalties.
Nelson’s game against the second placed side in Division 1 West Central, Trebanos, was transferred to the 3-G, all-weather pitch at Ystrad Mynach because of the treacherous conditions at their home ground and the switch helped them to run out 21-14 victors.
In the battle between the two sides placed third and fourth in Division 2 East, Abercarn and Croesyceiliog, saw the home side triumph 22-6. Jason Evans and Colin Manning scored tries for Abercarn and Jamie Baker converted both and kicked a penalty.
Two early penalties from Ed Poynter gave St Peter’s the perfect platform to kick-on to a 33-7 home win over Gowerton. Poynter went on to bag 18 points as he scored one of his side’s four tries, the others coming from Alex Jones (2) and Luke O’Brien.
Ystalyfera beat Dowlais by two tries to one as they hit back from an early deficit to come out on top 12-7 in a tense tussle. Tries from Luc Caines and Damian James, one of which Gareth James converted, kept them on course for a possible final date at the Principality Stadium.
In the National Bowl, last season’s finalists Burry Port and Taffs Well powered on into the last eight. Reigning champions Burry Port romped home 47-0 at home against Wrexham, while Taffs Well triumphed 10-3 at Treherbert thanks to a penalty try.
Beaten only once in the league and cup this season, Burry Port were joined in the quarter-finals by the only team to beat them, unbeaten Amman United, who are also in Division West 3B. Amman won a slog in the mud at home as they overcame Monmouth 18-7.
Milford Haven came from behind to snatch a 17-12 victory at Nantyffyllon, thanks to a late penalty and try, while Division 3a East table-toppers turned on the style to post a convincing 51-3 win over Wattstown thank included tries came from Matthew Nuthall, Josh Hayward, Tom Candy, Jac Jonathan and Dan Jones.
Elsewhere, Cardigan beat Denbigh 23-7, Swansea Uplands won 39-21 away to Trimsaran, and Cilfynydd avenged November’s one-point defeat against Cambrian Welfare with an 18-15 win.
