The games between Cardiff University and Nantgaredig and Monmouth and Abercwmboi were both postponed and will have to be re-scheduled. Pothcawl will meet the winners of the game at Monmouth, while Pembroke will host the winners of the game at Cardiff University at neutral venues on the weekend of 31 March.
WRU National Bowl Semi-Final Draw
Cardiff Univ or Nantgaredig v Pembroke
Monmouth or Abercwmboi v Porthcawl
Two Josh White penalties gave Porthcawl an early lead before livewire flanker Ben Asprea powered his way over for a try that White improved to make it 13-0 to the visitors at the break. Owain Davies got Penygraig on the scoreboard with a 30 metre penalty shortly after the re-start.
The situation improved dramatically for Penygraig as the conditions got heavier and more difficult with lock Daniel Lewis being driven over from a line-out for a try that Davies converted to cut the gap to three points.
A second try from Porthcawl, this time by outside half White, ensured the home side would have to score twice to win with 10 minutes left on the clock. They fought all the way to the end, which included almost 15 minutes of over-time as the game went to passive scrums, and another penalty from Davies added to the tension.
But it was Porthcawl, still batting for promotion from Division 3A West Central with only one defeat in 11 games and into the quarter-finals of the Silver Ball Trophy, who hung on to reach the semi-finals for the first time in their history.
Deri, beaten only once in Division 3B East this season, headed to Pembroke full of confidence, but left with their tails firmly between their legs after a 24-7 defeat. The home side, similarly beaten only once in 11 outings in Division 3A West, proved too wily and powerful as they clinched a ticket to the semi-finals.
Tom Edwards gave Deri the perfect start with the opening try and conversion, but that was as good as it got for the visitors. When Scott Powell stole a Deri lineout in their 22 it paved the way for Dom Colman to drive over for the first of what proved to be the first of four home tries
Sam Smith and Luke Hartland got the others and there was also a penalty try awarded for a collapsed maul.
WRU National Bowl Quarter-Finals
Pembroke 24-7 Deri
Penygraig 13-18 Porthcawl
Cardiff University v Nantgaredig – Postponed
Monmouth v Abercwmboi – Postponed
