This will be Trebanos’ first competitive game of the campaign while Ystalyfera will be looking to bounce back from a home defeat to Narberth. And head coach Jones, who is the brother of former Wales and British & Irish Lions legend Robert Jones, insists his players are relishing the prospect of getting stuck into their Swansea Valley rivals.
“This is a proud local derby and we are expecting there to be a lot of niggle in this game,” said Jones.
“There’s bragging rights at stake and both sets of players will be desperate to get the win. It is going to be a very difficult game for us but we are up for the challenge.
“Ystalyfera are a very physical side and it is very hard to get any change out of them especially up-front. At the moment we have a lot of players training with Premiership sides so we are perhaps a little bit undercooked.
“But part of our role is developing players for the Premiership and the levels above so we are okay with that. But we have brought a lot of very promising local youngsters into the squad who are proud to play for Trebanos so we are confident we can give a good account of ourselves.
“We are 100 per cent amateur and nobody gets paid to play for us so this is all about doing the local community proud.”
There is only one other Championship Cup game being staged today with Tata Steel playing host to Maesteg Harlequins. Maesteg have momentum on their side having comprehensively beat Neath last weekend, while this is Tata Steel’s first game in the cup.
Glamorgan Wanderers’ clash with Beddau has been cancelled due to a number of injuries and many players having pulled after making other plans for the bank holiday weekend.
In District A2 of the WRU Plate Cwmbran go in search of their first win of the season as they play Caldicot, while Monmouth are in the same boat in their home fixture against Pill Harriers. Over to District D2 and Kenfig Hill have a golden opportunity to top their group but face a desperate Nantyffyllon who are chasing their first victory.
In District C3 Treorchy can go top if they can overcome a tough trip to Cilfynydd, while in District F1, while in District B2 Taff’s Well face Dinas Powys.
