The West Walians took the title in Cardiff on 1 May, 2016 with a 20-18 triumph in a pulsating final. Now the two clubs will get to do it all over again as they battle to stay on course for another visit to the Principality Stadium.
Burry Port beat Birchgrove 61-27 at home in Round 1 and were then forced to battle hard to claim a 21-10 win at New Dock Stars last weekend. Taffs Well, meanwhile, had a walk-over in Round 1 and edged past Machen 28-24 in a thrilling away victory.
Crymych 2nd XV notched a notable away win at the home of last season’s semi-finalists, Cardigan, as they came out on top 10-5 to earn another trip in Round 2 to North Wales to meet COBRA.
Two other 2nd XVs are definitely through and will also travel on 28 October. Penallta II head to Pyle, who beat Aberavon Green stars 64-28 last weekend, and Nant Conwy II go to Wrexham.
WRU National Bowl Round 3
(Matches to be played the weekend of 28 October, 2017)
Abercwmboi v Llantwit Major
Bargoed II / Newport HSOB v Swansea Uplands
Betws (Ammanford) / Vardre v Penygraig
Cardiff University v Rhyl & District
Cefn Cribbwr v Pembroke
Cefneithin v Nantgaredig
COBRA v Crymych II
Laugharne v Pontrhydyfen
Llangadog v Trimsaran
Markham v Hafodyrynys
Monmouth v Penybanc
Newport Saracens v Abertysswg Falcons
Newtown v Whiteheads
New Tredegar v Treharris
Oakdale v Glyncorrwg
Old Illtydians v Usk
Pentyrch v Deri
Pyle v Penallta II
Shotton Steel v Glais
St Julian’s HSOB v Tredegar
Taffs Well v Burry Port
Wattstown v Porthcawl
Wrexham v Nant Conwy II
