Director of rugby Euros Evans faces a tough challenge this week in picking up his team from their 19-8 defeat to Coleg Gwent and he couldn’t have a tougher fixture in which to try to bounce back in than hosting the reigning champions Coleg Y Cymoedd.
The rivalry between the two top teenage teams in Wales stretches all the way back to the 2012/13 season, when Sir Gar beat what was then Coleg Morgannwg 18-16 in the final. From that point on the final has been the preserve of the same two teams.
Sir Gar triumphed over the newly named Cymoedd in 2013/14 and 2016/17, but were beaten by their arch-rivals in 2014/15, 15/16, 17/18 and 18/19. It is 4-4 in the finals, with the only other winner being Coleg Gwent in 2011/12.
The league clash was due to take place on Tuesday night, but the weather has intervened and the game will now go ahead later in the week. Cymoedd will travel with a six match unbeaten record behind them and haven’t been beaten in the tournament since Cardiff & Vale College went to Sardis Road and triumphed 33-26 on 21 November last year.
“We are really up against now and we can’t afford to lose many or any more matches. Every game is going to be a final for us from now on,” said Evans, who has to go back four matches to the final of 2016/17 for the last time his side beat Cymoedd.
“Cymoedd are the best team in the league, but not by that much. Whichever side gets into the final with them is going to have a chance of causing an upset.
“They are a terrific outfit, strong all over the park, and Lee Davies has done a great job coaching them. We are suffering with injuries at the moment, but we will just have to front up. The pressure is certainly on us at the moment given what is expected of Sir Gar teams.”
It is certainly tight at the top of the table with one point splitting the four teams behind the leaders. Cymoedd have secured 28 points from their six wins, while Cardiff & Vale are second with 24 points ahead of their home clash with Neath Port Talbot College on Tuesday, 12 November.
Sir Gar are then joined by recent conquerors Coleg Gwent and Ysgol Glantaf on 23 points, although Glantaf have played one game more. They both travel this week, with Glantaf heading to Newport HS and Gwent travelling west to meet Pembrokeshire College.
ROUND 7 FIXTURES
Tuesday, 12 November
Cardiff & Vale College v Neath Port Talbot College
Coleg Llandrillo v Llandovery College
Wednesday, 13 November
Coleg Sir Gar v Coleg Y Cymoedd (TBC)
Newport HS v Ysgol Glantaf
Pembrokeshire College v Coleg Gwent
Whitchurch HS v Bridgend College
ROUND 6 RESULTS
Friday, 8 November
Llandovery College 19 – 29 Whitchurch HS
Wednesday, 6 November
Bridgend College 5 – 26 Ysgol Glantaf
Coleg Y Cymoedd 33 – 0 Gower College
Coleg Gwent 19 – 8 Coleg Sir Gar
Tuesday, 5 November
Neath Port Talbot College 41 – 14 Newport HS
