Having reformed in the 1920’s, Trebanos is a club with a rich history, boasting many former Welsh internationals and currently competing in the WRU Championship.
Going into the final on the weekend, Trebanos have won both their last games against Cross Keys and Ystalyfera and sit 9th in the league table. Earlier in the season, they beat this weekends opponents 21-12 in the cup, and were due to play them last weekend but due to Trebanos injuries the game didn’t go ahead.
This will be the second time Trebanos have reached a national final, and they will hope this time round will be more memorable than the last, for the right reasons. In 2010, Trebanos were beaten convincingly 39-3 by Abercarn in the Bowl final. This year, Rhodri Jones hopes his side can go one better and win the Plate.
“I think winning the plate would be massive for any team. You look at the context over the last couple of years it will be huge for the village. We’ve got fantastic numbers, there’s a buzz around the village but particularly around training.
“There’s only 1,200 people who live here and I think about 1,100 are making their way to the stadium so it’ll be great. We’re looking forward to the challenge. We’re quietly confident and if we can play to our capabilities, we know we can get the result, but we will have to be at our best.”
The last time Trebanos had a taste of silverware was when they won the Division 1 title in 2016/17. Since then, they have been deprived of silverware but have a chance this weekend to lift a trophy for the first time in five years.
Trebanos boast several former and current Welsh internationals. The famous Bleddyn Bowen played for Trebanos before making his Wales debut against Romania in 1983, the first of his 24 caps for Wales which included being captain on six occasions and leading them to the Triple Crown in 1988. As a result, he was chosen for the summer tour of New Zealand in the same year but a broken wrist ended his trip.
Former Trebanos man Robert Jones reached a half-century of caps for Wales and played with Bleddyn Bowen when Jones made his debut against England in 1986. He went on to score four tries for his country and became a British & Irish Lion in Australia in 1989 and New Zealand in 1993.
A more recent name to have played in the light blue and navy of Trebanos is Wales flanker Justin Tipuric. He has racked up over 85 caps for his country, scoring 50 points and has been a key player for the Opsreys over the last few years too. He became Trebanos’ second Lion when he was selected by Warren Gatland in the 2013 tour to Australia where he played six times including off the bench in the third test.
Bedwas are arguably the favourites going into the final. They have had a very strong season, currently sitting second in the WRU Championship behind a Bargoed side who have been near to unstoppable this season. Despite losing two of their last four games, Bedwas have only lost three games in the league this season. Thi is Bedwas’ first trip to the national stadium and players, volunteers and the club will be hoping to return home on the bus with some silverware in the front seat.
Coach Stefan Sankala is looking forward to his side’s first trip to the Principality and are relishing the challenge Trebanos pose.
“This would be huge for the village, especially when this is our first visit to the national stadium. The boys are really up for it but we’re under no illusion that it’s going to be an easy game and that we’ll win by just turning up.”
“We only found out that we’d reached the final just over a week ago, so we’ve had to curb the excitement and get down to work and prepare. It’s not ideal but we’re confident in our abilities.
Bedwas will unfortunately be without some players due to other commitments, but Sankala stresses that he has a strong squad to choose from.
“Obviously the boys that are missing are key to us, but we have a strong enough squad to fill the gaps and play our game. The Principality has a nice, wide pitch which favours good passing rugby.
“It’ll be disappointing for them that they’ll miss it, but family comes first, and we’ll want to bring the trophy home for the boys who won’t be there.”
In 2007, Bedwas were threatened with relegation from the Welsh Premier League due to failing a facilities review by the WRU, but 15 years on they play in a final in the national stadium for the first time which will be a moment added to their history books. Bedwas have a list of former internationals themselves, the most recent of which is Elliot Dee.
The Newport-born hooker has appeared 37 times for Wales, with his only try coming in a 2021 international against Canada at the Principality. He has also been ever present in the Dragons squad since 2013, having played over 100 games and scoring over 100 points for the region. Perhaps not a household name but Jeff Whitefoot is a former Bedwas playing and 19 time international for Wales.
The most remarkable moment in his career was an appearance for the Lions against a Rest of the World XV in 1986 but did not receive his cap until 32 years later. He also played for a Five Nations XV against the Overseas Union in the same year.
Older Bedwas fans also won’t forget Roy Duggan, the youth player who was chosen to represent Gwent All Stars when the took on the All Blacks in 1972.
Trebanos: Josh Ferriman; Matthew Edwards, Tom Dew, Steff Lewis, Iestyn Lewis; Rhys Harris, Nathan Jones; Aled Humphreys, Rhys Thomas, Dan Owens, Declan Bale, Cai Arnold, Iwan Davies, Sean Hopkins (captain), Cam Loveys
Reps: James McCarthy, Keelan Jewell, Sean Janes, Casey Williams, Dylan Hills, Robert Jones, Lewis Humphreys, Sam Davies
Bedwas: Hamish Anderson; Aaron Billingham, Matty Williams, Lewis Bowden, Dafydd Thomas; Dion McIntosh, Dylan Morgan; Ben Drew, Mike Dacey, Rhys Hutchinson, Ben Sier, Craig Hudd (captain), Dale Rogers, Rhys Morgans, Alex Bourne
Reps: Joe Cowell, Kalum Phillips, Corey Bushell-Thomas, Owen Jones, Rhys Jones, Sam Davies, Alec Jones, Liam Jenkins
