Their 15-8 win at Rumney on 2 January set-up their trip to Rhiwbina on Saturday and Andy Powell’s side warmed-up for the tie of the round by scoring six tries in a 40-14 win at Caerleon last weekend. They will lead four teams from Division 1 East into the last 16, including the top three teams in the league.
Two-time winners Penallta head north to unbeaten Pwllheli, current Plate holders Brynmawr host Division 2 West Central side Resolven and sixth placed Nelson go to Llandudno to face the unbeaten leaders of Division 1 North. Brynmawr are looking to extend a winning run in the Plate that currently stands at seven matches.
Rhiwbina were finalists in 2014, when they were beaten 29-26 by Merthyr, and they will be hoping to break the recent stranglehold of the Division 1 East clubs on the title. Brynmawr won last year, Penallta took the title in 2017 and in 2016 it was Bedlinog who triumphed.
The Squirrels exacted revenge on Porth Quins for their one point away defeat earlier in the season with a 34-7 bonus-point triumph to stay on the title trail in Division 1 East Central last weekend. The defeat at Porth was their only reverse of the season to date in league and Plate.
A Matt Williams’ hat-trick inspired Rhiwbina to their win over the Quins at Caedelyn Park in a game that saw them lead 22-0 at half-time. Oliver Golden and Dafydd Williams were their other try scorers in what was a five-star performance.
Two-time champions Ammanford will face a re-run of their 2011 final triumph when they host Glynneath. They beat the Division 1 West Central side 35-13 at the Principality Stadium to take the title for the second time.
WRU National Plate (12 January)
Ammanford v Glynneath
Bonymaen v Cilfynydd
Brynmawr v Resolven
Llandudno v Nelson
Pencoed v Treorchy
Pwllheli v Penallta
Rhiwbina v Brecon
Ynysddu v Cambrian Welfare
