Newbridge, way clear at the top of Division 1 East with a second half surge that carried them to a 30-3 home win over Dunvant. It was only 10-0 at the break at the Welfare Ground and then the home side confined their visitors, third in Division 1 West Central, to an Adam Williams penalty in the second half.
Flying wing Cian Jones conjured up two more tries for Newbridge and outside half Simon Veall added another. Replacement Lawson Perry completed the try scoring and Eamonn Rees converted two and kicked two penalties.
Division 1 North leaders Nant Conwy faced a tricky away trip to the leaders of Division 1 West Central, Bonymaen, yet led all the way as they confined their highly-rated hosts to a single try in the second half. It was 12-0 at the break and then 24-7 by the end as the Gogs stayed on course for a trip to Welsh Rugby’s HQ later in the season.
They last reached the Principality Stadium in 2012 when they were beaten by Penallta in the Plate Final. They are hoping this year will be theirs as they stay on course for a league and cup double.
Joining them in the semi-finals will be Ammanford, who followed up their one-point win over Brecon in the previous round with another heart-stopping triumph at Glas a Du as they overcame St Joseph’s 34-26.
Skipper Alex Davies scored twice as Ammanford raced into a 29-5 lead before they had to withstand an amazing fight back from St Joseph’s. Callan Davies was another of the home try scorers, but three tries in quick succession from the visitors, one of them an interception effort, saw them cut the gap to 29-26.
With all to play for, Craig Woodall settled home nerves with a fourth try to seal it at the death. Ryan Williams kicked nine points.
Division 1 East Central leaders St Peter’s squeezed past Llangennech 12-8 in a game that saw the home side outscore their visitors by two tries to one in very tricky conditions.
It was a good day for the away teams in the 15 games played in the Division 2 – 5 tournaments with no fewer than 11 of the visiting sides coming up trumps. Among the home winners were Aberdare, who also maintained their unbeaten record with a 13-0 triumph over Talywain.
Former Pontypridd stalwart Rhys Shellard was the first of the two home try scorers, with Josh Lloyd getting the other one. Oli Lewis landed a penalty to keep Talywain at bay. Another unbeaten side, Division 2 West Central leaders Morriston, just managed to scrape through at Caerphilly thanks to a last play of the game conversion from outside half Corey Evans.
A try at the posts in the dying seconds brought the scores level at 11-11, leaving Evans with a pressure kick to take his side through to the semi-finals. He hit the target and won the game.
In the Division 3 quarter finals, Lampeter Town ensured there will be no return to the Principality Stadium this year for Llanharan. Winners of the WRU Bowl last season, thy were beaten 16-12 at home.
You had to go back all the way to 1989 for the last time Abertillery BG were last in a quarter-final and they made up for lost time by going one better to reach the semi-finals with a 14-0 win at Tylorstown in the Division 3 Cup.
All four away teams triumph in the Division 4 quarter-finals, while Crumlin and Tonna also won on the road in the Division 5 Cup. Tonna had former Wales and Ospreys prop Craig Mitchell in their back row as they took another step towards a return to the Principality Stadium with a 27-10 win at Llanidloes.
Crumlin were 24-12 winners at Forgeside and will be hoping to get the chance to meet Tonna back at Welsh rugby HQ in the finial to make amends for their defeat to them in the WRU Shield final last season.
Division 1 Cup Quarter-Finals
Ammanford 34 – 26 St Joseph’s
Bonymaen 7 – 24 Nant Conwy
Newbridge 30 – 3 Dunvant
St Peter’s 12 – 8 Llangennech
Division 2 Cup Quarter-Finals
Aberdare 13 – 0 Talywain
Bridgend Sports 3 – 69 Kidwelly
Caerphilly 11 – 13 Morriston
Heol y Cyw v Ystradgynlais – Postponed
Division 3 Cup Quarter-Finals
Abercrave 17 – 29 Vardre
Llanharan 12 – 16 Lampeter Town
St Clears 35 – 21 Mold
Tylorstown 0 – 14 Abertillery B G
Division 4 Cup Quarter-Finals
Alltwen 3 – 22 Chepstow
Maesteg 5 – 11 Wattstown
Newport Saracens 8 – 27 Bryncethin
St Julian’s HSOB 0 – 38 Nantyglo
Division 5 Cup Quarter-Finals
Ferndale 22 – 0 Crickhowell
Forgeside 12 – 24 Crumlin
Llanidloes 10 – 27 Tonna
Pontardawe 27 – 20 Hollybush
