It means the four sides through to the semi-finals this season are RGC 1404, Merthyr, Cross Keys and Pontypridd. The draw for the last four is due to take place this week.
Huw Worthington grabbed a last minute try to send RGC 1404 into their first WRU National Cup semi-final with a 41-36 win and dump holders Llandovery out of the competition.
The Gogs got off to a flying start as they scored the first of their six tries in the opening minute. Scrum half Alex Schwarz made the break and his off load allowed Sam Jones to race over to set the tone for a great game. Jacob Botica converted
RGC had beaten Llandovery in the Premiership at Parc Eirias in the first-half of the season, but they were beaten at Church Bank in the turn last month. The Drovers levelled matters with a try from the elusive Lee Rees, who cut through to run in from half-way, which Maynard converted and there was better was to come two minutes later when Mike Evans grabbed another.
RGC went back in front when skipper Maeredydd Francis barged his way over, but Rhodri Jones scored on the stroke of half-time for the visitors and Maynard converted. Botica kicked a penalty at the end of the first half, the ball hitting both posts before going over, to cut the gap to two points and make it 19-17 to the visitors at the break.
Four minutes into the second half and RGC when Afon Bagshaw got the first of his two tries, but Maynard levelled the scores with a penalty before Carwyn ap Myrddin and Bagshaw again gae the home side a 12 point lead on 65 minutes.
But the Drovers weren’t going to give up their title without a fight. Evans got his second try 10 minutes from time and five minutes later Maynard got in on the act with a fourth for the visitors and the Llandovery No 10 converted both scores to put his side 36-34 ahead with five minutes to go. Then Worthington crashed over at the death for the match winner and Botica completed the win with his fourth conversion.
Cross Keys ended Pontypool’s dream of a historic league and cup double with a 19-3 win at Pandy Park. Pooler have been in sublime form this season, amassing 17 straight wins in the Championship division and two more in the cup.
They arrived targeting a third Premiership scalp after wins at Llanelli and Cardiff, but it was the 2012 Cup winners who came good with Darren Hughes and Nathan Trowbridge scoring the tries to go with nine points from the boot of Josh Prosser on a quagmire pitch.
After a cagey opening, Prosser kicked his first penalty midway through the opening half before Hughes crossed for the only try. The conversion was missed but Prosser made amends with another three points before the interval.
And after the break, a spirited effort from Pooler made things tricky for their Gwent rivals. Former Wales outside half Matthew Jones kicked a penalty for the visitors, but Trowbridge crossed 12 minutes from the end to ensure Keys got over the line.
Merthyr remain alive on three fronts after they beat Ebbw Vale 13-3 in a fiery Cup affair at Eugene Cross Park. The Ironmen are still in contention for a league and cup treble after a Nathan Trevett try and eight points from the reliable boot of Matthew Jarvis eased them to victory.
Reigning Premiership champions Ebbw Vale were out to shock Merthyr having triumphed over Skewen and Beddau of the Championship in the opening rounds. But it was heated from the off as both teams were reduced to 14 men for the remainder of the game following red cards for Merthyr’s Osian Davies and the Steelmen’s Jonathan Davies.
A fight ensued after a maul with both Davies’ landing punches to warrant their early exit from the game. After things calmed down, Merthyr settled and soon found the lead.
The visitors won a penalty, and could have gone for points given the reliability of former Ospreys prospect Jarvis. But the full-back booted into touch as the Ironmen teed up a catch and drive with Trevett crashing over. Josh Lewis cut the gap with a penalty before half-time.
After the break, Jarvis added two penalties in quick succession to put Merthyr on the front foot and leave Ebbw playing catch up. The hosts came back and threatened to score on a number of occasions, but the green wall held firm and did enough to put their names into the hat for the semi-finals.
Pontypridd went one step closer to a 13th WRU National Cup final appearance – the record is 19 by Llanelli – with a 24-19 win over last season’s beaten finalists, Carmarthen Quins, at The Park.
Dale Stuckey’s two tries were key to Pontypridd’s quarter-final success, the wing crossing the whitewash twice in an entertaining first period. The boot of home outside half Craig Evans kept Quins in the game in the first period as he kicked four penalties in the opening 40 minutes.
But it was the visitors who scored the tries, with Stuckey’s efforts coming either side of a score for Gary Williams. Former Cardiff Blues, Exeter Chiefs and Wales fly-half Ceri Sweeney added all three conversions to send his team into the break 21-12 up.
The second period was much tighter as Carmarthen tried to claw their way back into things. It took until the 63rd minute for a further score, but when it came, it wasn’t good news for the Quins.
Sweeney’s first penalty of the day extended Pontypridd’s lead to 12 points and left Carmarthen up against it. Evans then missed with a penalty shot, but Pontypridd were then reduced to 14 men after Joe Popple picked up a yellow card for.
T
he Quins refused to give up and pushed hard all the way to the final whistle in search of a try. They finally got their rewards with a late penalty try, which was converted by Evans, but it was too little, too late.
