WRU Championship Cup Semi-finals – Saturday, 1 March 2025 (2.00pm)
Bedwas v Tondu
Llanelli Wanderers v Beddau
The draw pitches last season’s WRU National Division 1 Cup holders Llanelli Wanderers against the current unbeaten leaders of Championship East, Beddau, while the second placed team in Championship East, Bedwas, faces the team in a similar position in the West, Tondu.
The neutral venues for the matches have yet to be determined, but two top-quality games are in the offing. The Wanderers reached the final four in pursuit of more silverware – they completed the league and cup double last season – with a 72-17 home demolition of Kenfig Hill last weekend.
They scored nine tries and Nick Gale helped himself to 30 points in the game with a try, three penalties and eight conversions. That took him through 200 points for the current season.
The Wanderers will face stiff opposition in the form of Beddau, who are currently riding high at the top of Championship East with nine wins out of nine this season. They received a walk-over the quarter final against Gowerton, who were forced to pull out because of an unprecedented injury crisis.
In their only other game, having received a bye into the second round, they were impressive 43-0 winners at Treorchy.
Bedwas won 27-13 at Talywain thanks to another player who is now only five points behind Gale this season. Lloyd Wilkins notched 12 points in the victory at Talywain to reach 195 for the campaign and help the ‘Was make it 11 wins out of 12 games in all competitions thus far this season.
Tondu rolled back the years to pip Glamorgan Wanderers 9-6 in their quarter final at Pandy Park. Former Bridgend outside half Jamie Murphy kicked three penalties for the home side to repeat the win Tondu enjoyed over their visitors in the old WRU Challenge Cup 33 years earlier.
They enjoyed a great cup run that season as they also took the scalp of another first-class side, Ebbw Vale, before losing to Swansea in the quarter finals. For Osian Yardley, Curtis Fry and Connor Jones, who all featured last weekend, it is now only one more win to return to a major final.
They were all in the Tondu side that won the WRU Boy’s National U18 Cup at Principality Stadium in 2023, when they beat Carmarthen Quins 20-14. With only two defeats in two years, Tondu will be fancying their chances to getting the chance to bid for major silverware at the end of the season.
There will be teams from all five of the regional leagues in the WRU Division 1 Cup quarter-finals on 18 January.
Division 1 East Central will be strongly represented with St Joseph’s, Abercynon and Rhydyfelin all making it through to the last eight.
WRU Division 1 Cup Quarter-Finals – Saturday, 18 January 2025 (2.00pm)
Bridgend Athletic v Abercynon
Caernarfon v St Joseph’s
Hendy v Rhydyfelin
Skewen v Abertillery BG
All three teams have to travel to try to keep their hopes alive. Abercynon head to Bridgend Athletic, who are currently sitting in fourth place in Division 1 West Central, St Joseph’s head north to meet unbeaten Caernarfon, while Rhydyfelin have to head west to face Hendy.
Division 1 East Abertillery BG, who won the Division 3 Cup in 2023 when they pipped Vardre 34-27, will head to Skewen in the new year. They currently top their league and triumphed 46-41 at Llanishen in the last round.
Abertillery BG were Division 3 Cup winners in 2023
WRU Division 2 Cup Quarter-Finals – Saturday, 18 January 2025 (2.00pm)
Heol y Cyw v Ynysybwl
Llantwit Fardre v Caerphilly
Porthcawl v Abercrave
St Albans v Cardiff QuinsWRU Division 3 Cup Quarter-Finals – Saturday, 18 January 2025 (2.00pm)
Cardigan v Clwb Rygbi Cymry Caerdydd
Fleur de Lys or Dolgellau v Tycroes
Nant Conwy Athletic v Newport Saracens
Rhymney v Llandarog* Round 3, 4 January: Fleur de Lys v Dolgellau
WRU Division 4 Cup Quarter-Finals – Saturday, 18 January 2025 (2.00pm)
Briton Ferry v Pontyclun
Neyland v Llanhilleth
Seven Sisters v Ferndale or Trimsaran
Tylorstown v Gwernyfed* Round 3: Ferndale v Trimsaran TBC
WRU Division 5 Cup Quarter-Finals – Saturday, 18 January 2025 (2.00pm)
Bangor v St Peter’s Athletic
Bonymaen Athletic v Deri
Cardiff Met Athletic v Brecon Athletic
Rumney Athletic v Tredegar Ironsides
