Penallta have already wrapped-up the Division 1 East title and head west hoping to surpress Newcastle Emlyn, who have a first trip to the Millennium Stadium in mind as well as the Division 1 West title.
Emlyn ran in seven tries in a 52-5 home win over Carmarthen Athletic last weekend to maintain the pressure on Kidwelly at the top of the league table. They are five points behind the league leaders, but have two games in hand.
As far as their run in the Plate is concerned, they were lucky to come out on top thanks to try count in a 15-15 draw at Crymych earlier in the competition, but were far too good for Aberystwyth in the quarter-finals.
Penallta, however, are likely to be in a different class to any other sides they have faced in the Plate this season. They have lost only once and drawn once in 28 games this season and are seeking a second Plate triumph having beaten Nant Conwy at the Millennium Stadium in the 2012 final.
They have sewn up the Division 1 East title with three games left to play, and despite losing for the first time in their last outing against Nelson. It promises to be a big weekend for the club because their Youth team are defending their Welsh Youth Cup title against Pontypridd at the Millennium Stadium on the dame day.
The other semi-final sees Ystrad Rhondda take on Skewen at Llanharan RFC. Ystrad are second in Division 1 East Central, while Skewen are third in Division 1 West Central and haven’t lost this year. Skewen can also call on some Millennium Stadium experience with former Neath wing Kevin James part of their coaching team.
Skewen beat Trebanos (24-17) , Neath Athletic (42-7), Maesteg Quins (23-8), Pwllheli (22-13) and Nant Conwy (24-0) to reach the last four, while Ystrad didn’t concede a point in their last two rounds as they beat Glamorgan Wanderers (38-0) and Loughor (34-0).
Whatever happens against Skewen, Ystrad will have an eventful end to the season with a Silver Ball semi-final lined-up against Maesteg next week and a final league fixture against table-topping Beddau, the local rivals they hope to knock-off top spot to clinch the league title.
