The top two teams in Division 1 East fought out a 16-16 draw at the Welfare Ground before they both turned their attentions to cup rugby this weekend. Newbridge head as far west as you can go to Aberystwyth, while Brecon go to Bonymaen.
When the two teams last met at the home of Welsh rugby in April it was Brecon who just came out on top, winning 23-21 to take the title for the first time. Bonymaen got close, very close, but will have to pick themselves up this weekend after tasting defeat for the first time this season against Ammanford in their last outing.
Their 16-8 home loss was one of the shocks of the weekend as up to that stage Ammanford hadn’t won a game. It meant Bony’s lead at the top of the Division 1 West Central table was cut to five points.
Penallta, two-time winners in the past, will have home advantage over Division 2 West Central side Maesteg Celtic, while the 2018 champions Brynmawr are on the road again after overcoming Risca in one of the postponed matches in the last round.
They visit Glynneath, while Bedlinog, the 2017 champions, will be seeking revenge when they host Division 1 East rivals Senghenydd. When the two teams met in a league game earlier in the season it was newly promoted Senghenydd who came out on top at home, 19-10.
Specsavers National Plate – Round 3
Ammanford v Porth Quins
Aberystwyth v Newbridge
Bedlinog v Senghenydd
Birchgrove v Bethesda
Bonymaen v Brecon
Bridgend Athletic v Treorchy
Brynamman v Newcastle Emlyn
Feinfoel v Kenfig Hill
Glynneath v Brynmawr
Nant Conwy v Aberdare
Penallta v Maesteg Celtic
Byes: Nelson, Mountain Ash, Rhydyfelin, Blackwood
Pontyclun may have lost their unbeaten record to Canton last month, 31-27 away from home, but they still have their home record to protect when they host table-topping Aberavon Green Stars in the tie of the round in the Specsavers National Bowl.
Pontyclun, now one point behind Canton at the top of the pile in Division 3 East Central A, comfortably beat Abercrave 19-7 in Round 2. The Green Stars, four points clear at the top of Division 3 West Central A, overpowered Cardiff Quins 34-3 away from home in the last round.
Specsavers National Bowl – Round 3
Aberaeron v Nantyglo
Banwen v Tonmawr
Caerau Ely v Cefn Cribbwr
Fairwater v Nantymoel
Llanharan v Baglan
Llanhilleth v Canton
Llanybydder v Bryncoch
Pentyrch v Tylorstown
Penygraig v RTB Ebbw Vale
Pontyclun v Aberavon Green Stars
Tredegar Ironsides v Rhymney
Whiteheads v Laugharne
Byes: Abercarn, Bryncethin, Tumble, Abertysswg
Four 2nd XV teams for North Wales are included in the second round draw of the new Specsavers National Shield.
The biggest winners in the opening round, Bettws, will once again be at home. They ran out 52-0 winners against Trefil and will now host Pontyates this weekend.
Crumlin, who were 53-7 victors’ at Girling, received a bye, while Pontardawe’s reward for the 35-30 win at Fall Bay is a home draw against Llangefni 2nd XV. Llanrumney picked up an impressive 14-10 win on the road at Llandrindod Wells in Round 1 and will be at home against a team from even further north, Flint.
Specsavers National Shield – Round 2
Bettws v Pontyates
Cwmgwrach v Pwllheli 2nd XV
Forgeside v Dinbych 2nd XV
Hollybush v Beaufort
Holyhead v Brackla
Llanrumney v Flint
Markham v Cardiff Saracens
Ogmore Vale v Pontycymmer
Pontardawe v Llangefni 2nd XV
Pontllanfraith v Penybanc
Rhigos v Rogerstone
South Gower v Wrexham 2nd XV
Bye: Crumlin
