The Quins were runners-up to Llandovery in the WRU National Cup last season, while Bedwas were beaten by Pontypridd in the inaugural Challenge Cup final. Now at least one of them will end up with some silverware to erase those bitter memories and pick up the biggest prize in their 120+ year histories.
This season it is 1-1 between the two clubs in the Principality Premiership. The Quins won 23-19 at Bridge Field on 5 November, while Bedwas gained revenge in Carmarthen on 11 February when they picked up a 24-7 Tier 1 triumph.
It means the game at Bridgend will be the decider in more ways than one, with both coaches hoping for a repeat of the performances their respective sides posted in the semi-finals. The Quins beat Merthyr 37-31, while Bedwas thumped Bridgend 55-14.
“We were just better than Bridgend in the semi-final and we were very, very accurate. Our standards were high for the whole of the first half and I’m just hoping we get a similar performance and we play to our full potential,” said Bedwas head coach Steve Law.
“We haven’t won anything in the new era of the Premiership, so it would be nice to win some silverware. We won the Plate in the Foster’s Sevens, but that’s all we’ve ever won and our focus is all on winning.
“We were heavily down at half-time in last year’s final against Pontypridd (38-6), but we kept on playing. That’s the big lesson for us from last year – keep concentration for 80 minutes or longer and play to the final whistle.
“Cup finals provide different motivation for individuals and teams. How we’ve done against the Quins in the past won’t have any bearing on this game.”
Having conceded five tries and seen Pontypridd race 32 points clear, Law’s men eventually cut the gap to a mere four points. Wales Under 20 centre Harri Millard scored a hat-trick of tries for Ponty and ex-Welsh internationals Ceri Sweeney and Aled Brew added vital big match experience.
The Quins will have some of that experience in their side with Scarlets No 8 Morgan Allen anchoring the scrum and former World Cup Sevens winner Lee Williams at full back. Skipper Haydn Pugh is still missing though injury and the side will be led by centre Rhys Williams.
“We’ve played against them twice this season, winning once and we now they are in good form, have turned over a lot of top teams and will be very confident,” said Quins head coach Richard Kelly..
“We are missing three second rows and a No 8, but I’m confident that the boys who will be playing will be good enough on the day. This tournament allowed us to blood a lot of youngsters at the start and strengthen our depth, but now we’ve got the chance to push for silverware.
“I don’t think we’ve ever won a top tier competition and this is a huge opportunity for us – winning it would be massive for the club and a real boost for all those people involved behind the scenes.”
Carmarthen Quins: Lee Williams; Chris Banfield, Iolo Evans, Rhys Williams (captain), Morgan Griffiths; Steffan Marshall, Connor Lloyd; Nathan Williams, Torin Myhill, Javan Sebastian, Shaun Jones, Lee Taylor, Shaun Evans, Ellis Lloyd, Morgan Allen
Reps: Steffan Phillips, Rhodri Clancy, Steff Thomas, Rhys Minchin, Andrew Green, Gareth George, Craig Evans, Dylan Morgan
Bedwas: Aaron Bramwell; Pat Lewis, Adam Williams, Mike Callow, Matthew John; Richard Powell, Nicky Griffiths (captain); Dan Preece, Alun Rees, Matthew Pettit, Geraint Edmunds, Joe Davies, James Richards, George Lee, Robson Blake
Reps: Brynley Toms, Rhys Hutcherson, Chris Budgen, Tom Bell, Andrew Waite, Tom Rowlands, James Dixon, Connor Edwards
