The two teams play in different leagues, but they will have one common goal at the home of Welsh rugby – taking home the silverware.
Gareth Nicholas has breathed new life into Llanharan this season and led them into a final for the first time at Principality Stadium. They have lost only once in Division 3A East Central this season and reached the final with a thrilling 23-18 semi-final win over Aberavon Green Stars.
Star of the day on that occasion was wing Ross Pritchard, who ran clear to score a 70 metre interception try to help his side become the first team to beat the Green Stars. Prior to Pritchard’s sprint for glory, a try at the posts by Tom Preece had hauled the Dairymen right back into the contest.
“We were absolutely elated with the semi-final result and it meant a huge amount to us to reach the Principality Stadium,” said Llanharan secretary, Richard Case.
“We’ve got everyone in the community involved in the big day and we simply can’t wait for the challenge.”
There was considerable drama in the other semi-final when Bryncethin faced Fairwater. They were 10-0 down for a while and needed to find something special.
The fightback was secured through tries by Gruff Davies, Mark Thomas and Lloyd Bradley who snatched victory from the jaws of defeat in a 17-15 win.
“The boys were ecstatic – there were tears, smiles and singing after the semi-final win,” said Bryncethin coach, Andrew Jones.
“We know Llanharan well, they are just down the road. We know we are going into it as underdogs being a couple of divisions below them, but we enjoy being the underdogs. We are just going to put up a fight and enjoy the challenge.”
The gauntlet has been laid down, the challenge accepted and the Principality Stadium is set for a classic. For Bryncethin, it will be the first of two cup finals with a clash against Bryncoch to come on 11 May in the Central Glamorgan District Cup.
TEAMS
Llanharan: Ryan Russell; Jack Pring, Lee Arthur, Ross Pritchard, Alex Newbold; Scott Jones, Leon Burton; Will Thomas, Gethin Cashmore, Brandon Nelson, Bill Carey, Richard Byers, Rhys Dauncey, Lloyd Greogory, Ieuan Pring
Reps: Tom Harris, Jordan Hughes, Jack Dauncey, Ieuan Evans, Owain Howe, Chris Osborne, Tom Preece, Tom Buckle
Bryncethin: Gruffydd Davies; Shane Howells, Dan Howells, Iwan Veasey, Sam Owen; Lloyd Bradley, Cai Bradley; Connor Buckle, Dafydd Evans, Ieuan Davies, Tobias Hunt, Mark Thomas, Rhys Bridgeman, Sam Shillibier, Morgan Griffiths (captain)
Reps: Leon Sylvester, Sam Jervis, Rhys Hosey, Connor Law, Jordan Lewis, Nathan Morgan, Sioin Stacey, Geraint Watkin
HOW THEY GOT TO THE FINAL – BOWL
Semi Final: Aberavon Green Stars 18-23 Llanharan; Bryncethin 17-15 Fairwater
Quarter Final: Bryncethin 17-9 Tumble; Llanharan 24-13 Swansea Uplands
Round 1: Machynlleth 12-24 Bryncethin; St Alban’s 3-27 LlanharanPreliminary Round: Llanharan 83-17 Penlan
Pool StageDistrict B4
Penarth 0-20 Llanharan (Match awarded to Llanharan); Pontyclun 16-19 Llanharan; Llanharan 15-9 Pentyrch; Llanharan 48-12 Penarth; Llanharan 26-17 Pontyclun; Pentyrch 14-19 Llanharan
District D1Nantymoel 5-15 Bryncethin; Maesteg 21-76 Bryncethin; Bryncethin 20-0 Glyncorrwg (Match awarded to Bryncethin); Cefn Cribwr 11-20 Bryncethin; Bryncethin 20-11 Nantymoel; Bryncethin 88-0 Maesteg; Glyncorrwg 3-92 Bryncethin; Bryncethin 25-0 Cefn Cribwr
WRU NATIONAL BOWL PREVIOUS WINNERS2019: Abergavenny 27-23 Oakdale2018: Porthcawl 33-31 Pembroke2017: Amman United 43-31 Caerphilly2016: Burry Port 20-18 Taffs Well2015: Ystradgynlais 17-12 Cambrian Welfare2014: Clwb Rygbi Cymry Caerdydd 16-10 Llantwit Major2013: Wattstown 27-17 Fishguard & Goodwick
