Despite trailing 16-11 at the break, the Zebras hit back to beat the reigning champions 31-29 in a game that saw the lead change hands no fewer than five times at Ebbw Vale’s Eugene Cross Park.
Two early penalties gave Treorchy a deserved lead for their early dominance before Jake Newman replied for Brecon with one of his own. Treorchy came up with the first of the game’s five tries to extend their lead, but by half-time Brecon had stormed back into the contest with two more penalties from Newman’s boot as well as a conversion of Ioan Edwards’ corner try.
Brecon then extended their lead at the start of the second half with a converted try from Jake Crockett that pushed them 12 points ahead. Treorchy needed a reaction and they were able to prey on mistakes as their No 8 first picked up a loose ball and sped to the posts and then were awarded a penalty try for a collapsed scrum.
That made it 25-23 to the Zebras and another penalty to Brecon gave them a single-point lead as the lead changed hands for the third time in the game. They would have built on that lead but for a forward pass out of a tackle by Crockett to Ben Griffin, who raced to the line only to be called back.
A penalty for either side saw the lead changes hands twice more before Treorchy had the final say with their fourth penalty of the game. Brecon fired a drop shot just wide of the posts with the last kick of the game.
“We are over the moon to have reached the Principality Stadium for the first time. It was one of the best games of rugby I have ever seen,” said Treorchy club secretary, Bryan James.
“It certainly wasn’t for the faint hearted. We’ve never been to the Principality before and we’e looking forward to the challenge of meeting a strong Penallta team. We know them well and it will be a great thing for District C rugby to have two teams in the final.”
Penallta, champions in 2012 and 2017 and runners-up in 2016, reached the final courtesy of a 35-6 win with a dominant performance over Newcastle Emlyn, the 2015 runners-up, in the other semifinal.
“It was one of those scores that probably did not reflect the entire game. Things were getting quite tight at the start of the second half when we were only leading 13-6, but we were able to take our opportunities well enough to put points on the board,” said Penallta secretary, Wayne Jones.
“Both sides put in a great performance all round and it was a great advert for our district’s rugby. We’re excited to go back to the Principality Stadium.
“It’s great for all the lads involved, most of them having grown up with us and been involved since junior rugby. It’s great for the entire community that lots of our boys come up through the club and then go on to make a final at the Principality Stadium.
“We know it will be tough because we’ve had some tough games against Treorchy in the pats. But we’re all excited for the challenge.”
Now both sides will battle it out at the Principality Stadium on Saturday, 30 April to determine the who takes home the title.
