When the two teams met at Principality Stadium on 21 May, 2012 it was the Division 1 East side that came out on top 21-15. The Pitmen also reached the final last year, going down to an agonising 12-10 defeat to Bedlinog.
Nant Conwy, who are top of Division 1 North, saw off St Peter’s in last weekend’s quarter-finals, and are bidding to become the first team from the north to win one of the major community rugby titles. RGC 1404 are also involved in the quarter-finals of the National Cup.
The two teams had met in the Welsh Brewers Cup 12 years before their clash at the home of Wales rugby and on that occasion it was Nant Conwy who came out on top. That means the semi-final will be decisive in more ways than one.
Nant Conwy Kevin Thomas coach, said, “Saturday was a great day for the club. We always want to be successful within our own division in North Wales, but we love to play in this national competition as it gives us a good idea of how we rate against South Wales teams.
“St Peters were well-organised, physical and it was a typical cup match, our players were quite nervous and at 6-5 up, it was still all to play for at half time.
“It’s great for the club and great for North Wales rugby to get through to the semi-finals again. With RGC getting through to the Cup quarters too, I think it shows how much rugby in North Wales has progressed in recent years.
“We know from the 2012 final how tough Penallta will be but to win the trophy you have to beat the best teams anyway, we’ll just have to do it the hard way.”
In the other semi-final, Abercarn of Division 2 East will meet Ystalyfera of Division 1 West Central. Neither team has been involved in a final before and whoever wins can look forward to the biggest day out in their club history.
Abercarn went to Pwllheli last weekend and beat the reigning north Wales champions to reach the last four, while Ystalyfera saw off a third team from Division 1 East Central when they beat Rumney 30-20.
In the National Bowl, Amman United will take their 20 match unbeaten run this season into a tough clash with Cardigan. In the other semi-final, Cilfynydd will meet Caerphilly.
All matches will be played at neutral venues on Saturday, 25 March
WRU National Plate Semi-Finals
Abercarn v Ystalyfera
Penallta v Nant Conwy
HOW THEY REACHED THE PLATE SEMI-FINALS
Abercarn
Rd1: Bye; Rd2: Abercarn 30, Pencoed 12; Rd3: Abercarn 47, Llandudno 19; Rd4: Abercarn 22, Croesyceiliog 6; QF: Pwllheli 26, Abercarn 34
Nant Conwy
Rd1: Bye; Rd2: Nant Conwy 43, Pontypool United 19; Rd3: Nant Conwy 10, Maesteg Quins 0; Rd4: Nant Conwy 17, Rhydyfelin 12; QF: Nant Conwy 21, St Peter’s 5
Penallta
Rd1: Penallta 25, Caerleon 17; Rd2: Penallta 41, Brecon 6; Rd3: Penallta 36, Treorchy 9; Rd4: Aberavon Quins 10, Penallta 23; QF: Penallta 20, Nelson 16
Ystalyfera
Rd1: Maesteg Celtic 19, Ystalyfera 49; Rd2: Mumbles 34, Ystalyfera 35; Rd3: Ystalyfera 31, Mountain Ash 19; Rd4: Ystalyfera 12, Dowlais 5; QF: Ystalyfera 30, Rumney 20
WRU National Bowl Semi-Finals
Cardigan v Amman United
Cilfynydd v Caerphilly
HOW THEY REACHED THE SEMI-FINALS
Amman United
Rd1: Bye; Rd 2: Amman United w/o v Llandeilo; Rd3: Amman United 22, Hartridge 5; Rd4: St Alban’s 5, Amman United 39; Rd5: Amman United 18, Monmouth 7; QF: Amman United 13, Burry Port 3
Caerphilly
Rd 1: Caerphilly 48, Llandaff North 7; Rd 2: Caerphilly w/o v Whitchurch; Rd 3: Caerphilly 33, Markham 11; Rd4: Oakdale 5, Caerphilly 8; Rd5: Caerphilly 51, Wattstown 3; QF: Caerphilly 41, Taffs Well 14
Cardigan
Rd1: Cardigan 90, St David’s 7; Rd2: Cardigan 45, Laugharne 29; Rd3: Cardigan 10, Usk 7 (a.e.t); Rd4: Betws 8, Cardigan 13; Rd5: Cardigan 23, Denbigh 7; QF: Cardigan 16, Milford Haven 6
Cilfynydd
Rd1: Bye; Rd2: Uni of South Wales 17, Cilfynydd 40; Rd3: Cilfynydd 25, Porthcawl 19; Rd4: Cilfynydd 27, Machen 7; Rd5: Cambrian Welfare 15, Cilfynydd 18; QF: Swansea Uplands 5, Cilfynydd 32
