Andy Powell’s Brecon claimed double glory last season which included a famous win at Principality Stadium and they remain on course to repeat that feat. But to do so they will have to get one over their fellow Specsavers National League 1 East side Newbridge in what is the pick of the last-four ties.
The two teams are separated by just a point domestically, with Newbridge – who sit at the summit and hope to return to the Championship after relegation – with the advantage at the moment. But Powell’s side are hot on their heels and have a game in hand with six wins and one draw from their seven matches in the campaign to date.
That draw came against Newbridge on November 9 as they shared a 16-16 stalemate with Brecon the away team on that occasion.
Newbridge will again have home advantage in the Plate quarter-finals and another similarly tight encounter is expected.
Elsewhere in the Plate, two-time winners Penallta are still on course for what would be a fourth final at the home of Welsh rugby. They face Felinfoel in the quarter-finals.
Rhydyfelin’s visit to Treorchy will be a battle of the two sides at the top of Division One East Central and each has suffered just the one defeat this season.
The final Plate quarter-final will see Birchgrove welcome Glynneath with the ties to be played on the weekend of January 11.
In the Specsavers National Bowl, Aberaeron marched into the quarter-finals where they will meet Baglan or Banwen with a 22-7 victory over Caerau Ely in west Wales.
Tries from Bleddyn Thomas, Dyfrig Dafis and Owain Wozencraft along with seven points from the boot of Rhodri Thomas saw Justin Lloyd’s side over the line. Aberaeron’s free-flowing style of rugby was no match for their visitors with the try of the game coming from inside centre Dafis who linked well with Tudur Jenkins before hitting a perfect angle to touch down.
They will have to wait to see who they face in the last four, but their impressive competition to date means they should be in high spirits.
Penygraig will play Abertysswg Falcons next after they edged out visitors Llanybydder 24-20 in the previous round. In what was a hugely entertaining clash, a brace of tries from Corey Commer and a late score from Sam Berbillion did the damage for Penygraig who will again have home advantage as the competition hots up.
Canton ran out 38-15 winners at Rhymney as Ryan Rees, Josh Rivers, Luke Radford, Robbie McDermott, Haydn Mailako and Matt Stanston touched down for tries.
But the men from the capital will be away for their quarter-final against either Tumble or Laugharne.
The final Bowl quarter-final will see Fairwater host Aberavon Green Stars.
The Green Stars were indebted to Connor Condon who claimed the only try in a hard-fought affair with Tylorstown which they edged 11-5.
Condon powered his way over from short range after a period of sustained pressure with Courtney Davies contributing six points from the kicking tee. Adam Phillips scored a late consolation try for Tylorstown, but it was a case of too little, too late for the visitors.
In the Specsavers National Shield, Cardiff Saracens look in strong contention to make the final and they will welcome the men from north Wales Holyhead for a quarter-final clash.
It will be a long trip for Holyhead and they’ll know they will face a Saracens side unbeaten in league and knock-out rugby this season. Their last Shield result was a 10-7 win at Penybanc.
Already 12 points clear at the top of Division 3 East Central C, the Saracens have now won nine league games and two Shield ties. Adam Jones struck with a first-half try which was converted by Adam Worthington before Penybanc levelled things up after the break. Worthington then kicked a penalty to win the game and take his club one step closer to a dream trip to Principality Stadium.
Holyhead thrashed Llanrumney 45-5 which means the Saracens are the only Cardiff-based team left in the competition.
The three remaining Shield quarter-finals will see South Gower host Bettws, Hollybush will welcome Cwmgwrach, and Pontardawe will travel to Rhigos.
Specsavers National Plate quarter-final fixtures
(ties to be played weekend of January 11):
Treorchy v Rhydyfelin
Newbridge v Brecon
Penallta v Felinfoel
Birchgrove v Glynneath
Specsavers National Bowl quarter-final fixtures
(ties to be played weekend of January 11):
Tumble or Laugharne v Canton
Penygraig v Abertysswg Falcons
Baglan or Banwen RFC v Aberaeron
Fairwater v Aberavon Green Stars
Specsavers National Shield quarter-final fixtures
(ties to be played weekend of January 11):
South Gower v Bettws
Hollybush v Cwmgwrach
Rhigos v Pontardawe
Cardiff Saracens v Holyhead
