FIRST DIVISION SIDES FACE TOUGH TESTS IN KONICA MINOLTA CUP

“The first time we played them, about 10 years ago, we beat them with an injury time try in Bonymaen and three years ago we were beaten, not by much, at home,” said Newcastle Emlyn secretary Chris Jones. “Bonymaen are obviously doing very well at the moment, but it is a game we will be very much looking forward to. We might not be as strong at present as we have been in recent seasons, but we’ll give it a go.”

The 16 Division 1 clubs enter the competition in the second round and 10 of them – Bonymaen, Blackwood, Builth Wells, Caerphilly, Fleur de Lys, Llanharan, Narberth, Uwic, Waunarlwydd and Ystrad Rhondda – have picked up home draws.

Division 3 East’s Nelson, who ran in 58 points at Dinas Powys in round one last weekend, will test Blackwood, while Division 4 South West side Abercrave face a trough trip to Mid Wales to meet Builth Wells. Blaina, of Division 3 East, travel to Caerphilly, while Chepstow, of Division 4 East, might just fancy their chances of causing an upset at bottom of the table Fleur de Lys, who have yet to notch a win.

Pembrokeshire’s Crymych, of Division 4 West, travel to Llanharan and Vardre, of Division 3 South West, go to Narberth. Division 3 South East club Brecon, who had a walk-over in the first round, will face a stern test at the home of the free-scoring students of UWIC.

Abercynon’s 96-5 round one triumph over Newtown will no doubt make Waunarlwydd wonder what the Division 2 East side will bring with them to Roseland Road and there is bound to be a big crowd at Ystrad Rhondda when Welsh Districts’ giant killers Glyncoch arrive.

Glyncoch, who reached the Millennium Stadium for last season’s Worthington Welsh Disticts Cup final, have already taken the scalps of Treorchy and Haverfordwest in the opening two rounds and will be looking to make it a hat-trick when they drive the eight miles up the valley from their home base to Ystrad.

“We’ve heard all about Glyncoch’s giant killing acts to date this season and it is bound to be a testing game for us,” said Ystrad coach Alan Roberts. “The Konica Minolta Cup is an important tournament for us and it is possible that a team form the First Division could go all the way to the Millennium Stadium.

“We know they will be coming to us looking to take another big scalp. We’ll be treating them with the respect they deserve, but doing everything we can to progress in the competition.”

Newbridge, Rumney, Cwmllynfell, Merthyr, Llangennech and Whitland all face away trips, with Cwmllynfell’s trip to Division 2 west outfit Loughor likely to be the trickiest of them all.

KONICA MINOLTA CUP ROUND 2 DRAW
(Matches to be played on the weekend of 22 October)

Amman United v Pontypool United
Barry v Bethesda
Blackwood v Nelson
Bonymaen v Newcastle Emlyn
Bridgend Athletic v Newbridge
Bridgend Sports v Glyncorrwg
Briton Ferry v New Tredegar
Builth Wells v Abercrave
Caerphilly v Blaina
Cardiff HSOB v Dolgellau
Cilfynydd v Llandudno
Corus v Llantwit Major
Dunvant v Rhyl
Fleur de Lys v Chepstow
Gilfach Goch v Beddau
Heol y Cyw v  Denbigh
Kidwelly v BP Llandarcy / Glais
Laugharne v Rumney
Llanharan v Crymych
Llantwit Fardre v Llanelli Wanderers
Loughor v Cwmllynfell
Machen v Tondu
Mountain Ash v Caernarfon
Mumbles v Tredegar
Nant Conwy v Hirwaun
Nantymoel v Kenfig Hill
Narberth v Vardre
Newport Saracens v Hendy / Gowerton
Penallta v Ynysybwl
Penarth v Merthyr
Penclawdd v Trefil
Pentyrch v Llangennech
Penygraig  / Pencoed v Nantyglo
Pill Harriers v Abergavenny
Pontyberem v Treherbert
Porth v Whitland
Rhydyfelin v Banwen
Seven Sisters v Bryncethin Sports
Taffs Well v Rhiwbina
Taibach  v Cowbridge
Tonmawr v Llantrisant
Tonna v Gorseinon
Trebanos v Caldicot
Tredegar Ironsides v Brynithel
Tylorstown v   Llanidloes
UWIC v Brecon
Waunarlwydd v Abercynon
Ystrad Rhondda v Glyncoch