When the covid pandemic stopped rugby around the United Kingdom it had a crippling effect on rugby clubs in Wales. But when clubs were given the greenlight to return to training some 18 months ago Penallta set themselves the target of reaching the WRU Plate final at Principality Stadium.
“On the back of some tough times, with covid, this cup final is the light at the end of the tunnel for us,” said their head coach Jack Condy. “It’s been the goal all year.
“It’s always special to play at the Principality Stadium, and since we got back together as a group last summer that’s been our goal. When we regrouped after covid we wanted to reach the Principality Stadium to put smiles back on faces in the local community.
“The boys are really excited. A lot of the boys have actually played at the Principality Stadium before which should stand us in good stead.
“We’ve made four previous appearances at the stadium plus two youth appearances but there are a couple of boys who haven’t experiences it, and they’ve been pretty emotional in the lead up to this game. It will be a special day for those and their families.
“A lot of the boys are getting on now so to finish their career at the Principality Stadium with some silverware would be very special.” Condy was a former professional player with the Scarlets, and at just 27-years-old, is one of the most promising up and coming coaches in the Welsh leagues.
Having played at the top level he knows what it takes to make a name in the game. Condy is full of praise for his players, and believes the final is also a shop window for many of his players to catch the eye of Premiership clubs.
“Will Keep our inside centre is a player to watch out for,” said Condy. “He’s been one of our outstanding players this season.
“He deserves a good opportunity to express himself to show what he’s got. He’s got a lot of potential to play at a higher level.
“He’s only 21, and I think he’ll play semi-pro in the future. He’s big, he’s fast, and he’s powerful while he also works very hard.
“When he’s ticking a lot seems to happen on the outside edges. It’s a shop window for a lot of the younger players.
“A lot of players from division one to division two are playing Premiership rugby now. My personal opinion is we’ve got at least 10 players who are potentially good enough to play semi—professional rugby.
“We’ve got Joseph Scrivens our outside-half who has played Premiership rugby for Bridgend and Cardiff, Lewis Barnett has played Prem, Lloyd Bridges had a stint at Ebbw Vale, while Lloyd Tucker has played for Cardiff.”
This game means everything to Penallta who will have up to a thousand supporters at the Principality Stadium. And Condy insists their support can give Penallta a significant boost.
“It’s the record amount of buses booked by any club. We are up to 11 buses at the moment,” he said.
“There’s also a good following from the mini and juniors section. There’s 550 people coming up through buses, and there are also a few hundred people making their way to the stadium on the train pre game.
“It’s a decent following. Hopefully the roof will be closed and the boys will feed off that!”
But victory is far from assured with a Treorchy side who haven’t lost a game all season standing in their way. Condy acknowledges the enormity of the challenge facing his Penallta side, but is also confident they can come out on top.
“Treorchy are usually pretty strong upfront,” he said. “They are going to be very physical, and players usually get an extra 10-20 per cent when they play in a final. Regardless of who you play there’s always a little bit extra in the tank when you play in a final.
“They have a very good back-three who if we don’t exit or kick well could be very crucial for them in getting back over the gain-line and put them on the front foot.
“If the boys play to their potential then I think we can get a good outcome but we will be facing a very good Treorchy side. They haven’t lost this season and off the back of an 80-0 win over Rhiwbina last weekend I’m sure they’ll have their tails up.”
