Coleg Gwent have never failed to beat their regional rivals since the tournament began, but their first meeting this season was close enough to suggest an upset could be on the cards at Newport HS if the favourites don’t perform to their best.
“They really got close to beating us for the first time when we met in the first round and we know we can take nothing for granted. It really is a big derby match,” said Coleg Gwent team manager, Steve Llewellyn.
“We are pleased to have started with two bonus point wins and we got better with each performance. We want to go on and play in the top tier of this tournament and try to successfully defence our title, while Newport HS know they will have to beat us to stand any chance of making the cup competition.”
It was 34-24 to Coleg Gwent on the opening day of the season and they followed that up with a 42-7 victory in north Wales over Coleg Llandrillo. Newport HS beat Llandrillo 43-40 in a thriller in round two.
The only other unbeaten teams in the tournament are Coleg Sir Gar in the Group 4, Gower College in Group 3 and Cardiff & Vale College in Group 2. The top two teams in each group go into the Cup competition play-off section, while the bottom tow enter the Plate.
“As well as the usual suspects, such as Sir Gar and Cymoedd, Cardiff & Vale have stood out so far. Their programme has been building nicely and they have a big squad this season in every sense,” said Llewellyn.
“What they are no proving, along with Sir Gar, Cymoedd and ourselves, is that there are rugby programmes on offer in Wales that are the match for anything available across the bridge. Our facilities at Cross Keys have really come on and we now have an indoor 4G pitch.
“Our coaching, S&C expertise and support in all the other vital areas for these aspiring young professionals is second to none. We know they aren’t all going to make it, but our aim is to make them as good as they can become.”
Sir Gar host Llandovery College in the other big game of the latest round. Sir Gar came out on top 22-15 in their first meeting and it should be another tight affair when they meet at Church Bank, Llandovery.
Cymoedd will be hoping to get back to winning ways after suffering their first defeat against Cardiff & Vale. They host Ysgol Glantaf, while Whitchurch HS head to Leckwith to face the unbeaten CAVC.
Bridgend College entertain Gower College in the other match, hoping to avoid a repeat of the 54-7 defeat they suffered when they met in the first round.
Welsh Schools & Colleges League – Round 4
Newport HS v Coleg Gwent (2.30pm, Newport HS)
Cardiff & Vale College v Whitchurch HS (2.30pm, Leckwith)
Coleg Y Cymoedd v Ysgol Glantaf (2.30pm, Sardis Road)
Bridgend College v Gower College (2.30pm, Bridgend College)
Coleg Sir Gar v Llandovery College (7.30pm, Llandovery RFC)
