Pontypridd came from behind to beat Cross Keys 33-27 to reach their fifth successive final, while Bridgend had a last minute try from wing Tom O’Flaherty to thank for the 22-20 triumph that took them back to the final after a 25 year gap.
There were fantastic scenes at Aberavon’s Talbot Athletic Ground as the Ravens supporters celebrated their club’s biggest day since 5 May, 1990 when John Apsee’s side went to the old National Stadium, Cardiff Arms Park to face Neath.
The Quins’ started well and Rory Gallagher grabbed the opening try, while the Ravens were off target with two early penalties from Owen Howe after their dominant scrum had earned the chance to shoot for goal.
The first of the Ravens’ four tries came from an attacking lineout after Quins had failed to clear their lines. A quick blindside move sent scrum half Chris Williams racing down the wing and over in the corner.
The second try also came from a lineout move, the ball moving in field to allow Adam O’Driscoll to round his opposite number and score a try which this time Howe converted to build-up a seven point lead.
Quins’ try scorer Gallagher saw yellow before the break, but despite their numerical disadvantage they scored a second try through full back Chris Banfield to cut the gap to two points moving into the second half.
The recovery continued when Iolo Evans crossed for Carmarthen’s third try and the conversion made 17-12. There was no further scoring until 10 minutes from time when Bridgend skipper Ashleigh James converted a driving maul to bring the scores level and leave everything to play for.
Quins replacement Dan Jones then kicked a penalty to regain the lead and leave the Ravens, who they had already beaten twice in the Principality Premiership, chasing the game. As time ticked away the Ravens turned down a shot at goal to kick for the coner.
Ben Jones was held up over the line, but the Ravens had a five metre scrum from which to build a final attack. They won a penalty and opted for a second scrum, eventually sending the ball wide for O’Flaherty to cross for the winning score.
Meanwhile, at the Arms Park, Cross Keys got off to a flying start in their re-run of last season’s final and led 20-18 at the break thanks to two tries from flanker Scott Matthews and 10 points from the trusty boot of outside half Ethan Davies.
Centre and captain Dafydd Lockyer and second row forward Craig Locke grabbed tries in return for the holders and Jarrod Evans converted one and kicked two penalties.
Keys still clung to hopes of winning when right wing Lloyd Lewis scored a splendid solo try which Davies converted. That made it 27-21, but Ponty regained their composure and won the right to return to the Millennium Stadium for finals day on 3 May with tries from full back Aled Summerhill and replacement scrum half Lloyd Williams, Evans finishing with 13 points.
DOWN MEMORY LANE
For the record, this will be Bridgend’s sixth WRU Challenge Cup Final. They lost their last three having won their first two
Bridgend in the Cup
1990 Lost to Neath 16-10
1982 Lost to Cardiff 12-12 (on try count)
1981 Lost to Cardiff 14-6
1980 Beat Swansea 15-9
1979 Beat Pontypridd 18-12
Schweppes Cup Final, 28 April, 1979 – Bridgend 18, Pontypridd 12
Scorers: Bridgend: Try: S Fenwick; Con: S Fenwick; Pens: S Fenwick 3, I Lewis. Pontypridd: Try: M Shellard; Con: C Bolderson; Pens: C Riley, C Bolderson
Bridgend: JPR Williams; I Davies, S Fenwick (C Williams 46), L Thomas, V Jenkins; I Lewis, G Williams; I Stephens, G Davies, M James, L Davies, R Evans, G Jones, G Williams, D Brain
Pontypridd: I Walsh; C Bolderson, C Riley, J Poole, S Flynn; S Lewis, R Morgan; W Evans, M Alexander, R Lott, R Penberthy, D Shellard, M Shellard, T David, C Seldon
Referee: K Rowlands (Ynysybwl)
