The winner of the title for the past three seasons has come from that division – Brynmawr in 2018, Penallta in 2017 and Bedlinog in 2016 – and there will be a clash between two teams from the east at Nelson on March 2nd when the unbeaten league leaders, Brecon, seek a ticket to the semi-finals.
Brecon have already completed the league double over the Unicorns, winning 25-0 at home on the opening day of the season and then 25-19 at Nelson last month, and will travel full of confidence having seen-off Rumney and Rhiwbina on the road in the last two rounds.
Their 32-20 win at Caedelyn Park last weekend came despite two tries from the outstanding Pat Ware for the home side. Brecon outside half Dean Gunter opened the scoring after 16 minutes with the first of his two penalties and the visitors led 15-10 at the break.
In the end, Brecon ran in four tries through Richard Davies, Dafydd Edwards, Lewys Cooke and David Lewis, while Gunter ended with 12 points. Nelson overcame unbeaten Llandudno 20-10 to book their ticket in the next round.
The reigning champions, Brynmawr, beat Resolven 31-19 to go through safely, while two-time winners Penallta went north to Pwllheli and won 25-0 to complete the eastern quartet in the last eight. Brynmawr head to Treorchy in March and Penallta travel to Glynneath.
Cambrian Welfare, WRU National Bowl finalists in 2015, reached the quarter-finals for the first time after a dramatic win on the away team ruling at Ynysddu. The two teams were level at 9-9 after extra-time with no tries scored, so the visitors went through to earn a trip to Bonymaen.
Glynneath overcame Ammanford 43-25 in a repeat of the 2011 final and will have another home draw to look forward to in the last eight against Penallta. It was a particularly sweet victory for Glynneath head coach Grant Bignell, who started at hooker for on the day Ammanford won 35-13 at the Millennium Stadium.
Callum McPhee scored twice in the revenge mission and there were further tries for Jed O’Reilly, Greg Roberts and skipper James Parry. There was also a penalty try and Jack O’Reilly kicked 11 points.
WRU National Plate – Quarter-Finals
Matches to be played on March 2
Bonymaen v Cambrian Welfare
Glynneath v Penallta
Nelson v Brecon
Treorchy v Brynmawr
