The record four-time winners of the tournament haven’t been in the final since 2019 and haven’t lifted the title since 2017. Having been in the first nine finals, the last few years have been tough.
Sir Gar were the trailblazers when the tournament, involving 13 ‘A’ Licence education establishments across the country, began in 2010. They beat Coleg Gwent in the first final, appeared in nine successive finals and won the title a record four times.
Josh Adams, Ryan Elias, Kieran Hardy and Scottish cap Javan Sebastian were in the side that won in 2013 when Sir Gar beat a Coleg Morgannwg team that included Dillon Lewis, Seb Davies, Jarrod Evans and Tomas Williams.
Their latest international, Jac Morgan, scored two tries for Wales against Georgia last weekend and Evans, director of rugby from the start, is hoping he can bring through a few more stars of the future.
“We also refer to our international alumni at our recruitment days – Gareth Davies, Scott Williams, Gareth Thomas, Aled Davies, Samson Lee and Luke Hamilton are other graduates – and the boys’ eyes light up when we list them,” said Evans.
“We struggled a bit with our recruitment during the COVID years, but we are back on track now and this year’s team is determined to go all the way.”
They currently hold a three-point lead over reigning champions Cardiff & Vale College and know that a win at home against Coleg Llandrillo in Round 11 will be enough to book their ticket to the Cup Final at Principality Stadium on Wednesday, 7 December.
Sir Gar skipper and hooker Harri Thomas will miss the game, as well as next week’s clash with arch-rivals, and third-placed Coleg Y Cymoedd. The defending champions, meanwhile, host Gower College on their 3G pitch in the televised game.
CAVC director of rugby Martyn Fowler knows his side is within a whisker of making it to back-to-back finals but is taking nothing for granted. Despite the three-point gap at the top he isn’t giving up on the league, either.
“I want to win the league. There are still two games to go, and we have to keep the pressure on Sir Gar,” said Fowler.
“Cup finals are one off situations, anything can happen, but if you finish at the top of your league nobody can deny you are the best team. In terms of the growth of our rugby programme, getting to another final would be great.
“But we can’t afford to take anything for granted. It will be Gower’s final game of the season and they will come to us knowing they probably have to win to stand any chance of reaching one of the three finals.”
Gower are currently in fifth, while fourth placed Ysgol Glantaf welcome Llandovery College in another key battle.
ROUND 11 – 23 November
Cardiff & Vale College v Gower College
Coleg Gwent v Bridgend College
Coleg Sir Gâr v Coleg Llandrillo
Neath Port Talbot Coll v Whitchurch HS
Pembrokeshire College v Coleg y Cymoedd
Ysgol Glantaf, v, Llandovery College
