Four times before in their history Fairwater have made the short trip across the Welsh capital to play finals at what is now Principality Stadium and thanks to 13 points from centre Tom McAloon they are still on course to add to their previous visits in 1991, 1992, 1995 and 2000.
Showing no ill effects from the double knee operation he underwent last season, the 24-year-old McAloon notched a vital try and kicked the rest of his side’s points in a victory that went a long way to eradicating the pain felt from a 43-38 extra-time defeat to Abergavenny in last year’s quarter-finals.
Tom played for what is now Coleg Y Cymoedd in the Welsh Schools & Colleges Cup final in 2013 at Principality Stadium. That ended in defeat to Coleg Sir Gar and now he will be hoping to guide his side back to the same venue to try to match the achievements of his father, Brendan.
McAloon senior began his senior career at Penarth before heading to Cardiff, Newbridge and Pontypridd. He also played for the Glamorgan and Monmouthshire County XVs.
In 1988, he helped to reform the Fairwater club and played in the 1991 Welsh Brewer’s Cup winning team at the then National Ground, Cardiff Arms Park. He also played in 1992 and was coach in 1995.
“It was a great win for the club last weekend and nice to see Tom doing so well. He has come back strongly from his injury and his kicking out of hand and off the tee was vital for us against the Green Stars,” said Brendan.
“He has come all the way through the club ranks, like so many of the players in our 1st XV. It really is a club that represents the area and has a big family feel to it.
“Ricky Theaker, who was in the side that won the Worthington Cup in 2000, is now club chairman and his two sons were playing last weekend. Liam Free is player-coach in our back division and his father, Brian, coaches the forwards.
“We’ve got some good players, a good attitude and it is going to take a good team to beat us. We’d love to go all the way in the cup, but we’re also in a good position in our league as well with games in hand.”
Brendan twice reached the semi-finals of the National Cup with Newbridge, going down to Swansea at the Arms Park and Cardiff at Rodney Parade, and was a very accomplished full back in his playing days.
But he has continued to give back to the game he loves ever since he hung up his boots, spending 26 years working with Fairwater’s highly successful junior section that currently boasts 200 playing members. These days he acts as the director of rugby at the club.
The other semi-final sees Tumble, of Division 3 West B, tackle Abertysswg, who play in Division 3 East A. Abertysswg are one of the youngest clubs in membership of the WRU, having only been formed in 1983.
Specsavers National Bowl
Matches to be played on the weekend of 21 March
Tumble v Abertyswwg Falcons
Aberaeron v Fairwater
