The man who led Ebbw Vale to WRU National Championship and Principality Premiership titles is back at his ‘home’ club this season and even at the age of 36 he is setting his sights on more silverware.
Last weekend’s 35-19 win at Glamorgan Wanderers kept the ‘Mawr on course for a potential treble as they reached the semi-finals of the Plate for the first time in their history. As well as being chasing a trip to the Principality Stadium for the Plate final, they are six points clear at the top of Division 1 East and meet Abercarn in the quarter-finals of the Ben Francis Cup on Thursday night.
Their reward for beating the Wanderers is a clash with East rivals Nelson for a place in the final. They have already beaten the Unicorns at home this season, 26-6, and will go into the game with confidence high.
WRU National Plate Semi-Final Draw
Brynmawr v Nelson
Nant Conwy v Crymych or Ystalyfera
For Hudd it means he now only one step away from another appearance at the home of Welsh rugby having been a teenage replacement for Ebbw Vale in their 2002 WRU Challenge Cup semi-final against Llanelli as part of a double-header at the then Millennium Stadium.
“That is a long, long time ago and it would be great to go back for another tilt at a title. We’ve been doing pretty well so far this season, but we know we cannot take anything for granted against a Nelson side that has a big, physical pack,” said Hudd.
“It’s nice for the players to be pushing for titles this season and there is always a bit of extra space on the mantelpiece for another medal. The club haven’t won a title since 2008, when we won the Division 3 East league.
“I was captain that season, but then went off to join Ebbw Vale. There are still some players who have stuck with it since then, through some bad times and good, and winning some silverware this season would be a huge reward for them.
“As well as three trophies, we could also be involved in a play-off to get into the WRU National Championship if we can stay on top of the table. That is going to be tough given the size of our squad and looking at the fixtures we still have to play.
“We could be playing twice a week, every week in the closing stages of the season, but I have to say I’m just loving every minute of it at the moment. We’ve got virtually a completely home-grown team and we all work for each other.”
The other semi-final will see Division 1 North leaders Nant Conwy meet the winners of the postponed game between Crymych and Ystalyfera. Nant stipped Maesteg Quins of their 30 match unbeaten run as they pipped them 23-22 in a ding-dong battle in the north.
Beaten finalists in 2012, Nant lost their semi-final by two points to Ystalyfera last season and would love to emulate RGC 1404’s epic National Cup triumph in the Welsh capital of 2017. They had outside half Arthur Lennon’s trusty boot to thank for their victory as he kicked 13 points to take his season’s tally to 323 in 22 outings.
Although the Quins plundered two first half tries, the opener from Rhodri Davies after only five minutes, they found themselves trailing 16-15 at the break after giving Lennon the chance to kick three successive penalties to go with a conversion of Carwyn ap Myrddin’s try.
A penalty try midway through the second half pushed the Quins back in front at 22-16, but Carwyn Roberts stuck with a try at the posts, which Lennon improved, four minutes later to make it 23-22 to the Gogs.
WRU National Plate Quarter Finals
Glamorgan Wanderers 19-35 Brynmawr
Nant Conwy 23-22 Maesteg Quins
Nelson 22- 10 Ystrad Rhondda
Crymych v Ystalyfera – Postponed
