That was in the 2021-22 season, when they were beaten at Principality Stadium by Cardiff & Vale College. CAVC went on to retain their title last season and will now meet Llandovery in the first semi-final.
The other one will be between last season’s Plate winners, Ysgol Glantaf, who finished second in the table with only one defeat. They will host Coleg Sir Gar, with the winners facing off in the final at the home of Welsh Rugby on 6 December.
“We’ve been very happy with the way the new format has worked this season. The three teams we introduced to Conference B have acquitted themselves very well and the competition in the top tier has increased,” said John Alder, the WRU’s head of player development.
“The margins in most games have been less than in previous games and we are now at the business end of the season where there is real jeopardy involved in the final two rounds of matches. There is relegation and promotion involved between the two Conferences, as well as two titles to be won.
“The aim is to have 16 thriving rugby programmes across the two Conferences and we will be doing a thorough assessment of the new formal, and the new teams, in the New Year. We’ve also been delighted to see 32 schools playing in our U18 Schools League tournaments.
“Seeing more schools playing more regularly is very encouraging.”
Llandovery were able to maintain their 100 per cent record this season with a final round 24-21 home win over Sir Gar. Meanwhile, Glantaf beat Coleg Llandrillo 29-17 to clinch the runners-up position.
CAVC were safe in fourth place before heading across the Welsh capital to Whitchurch HS, where they were pipped 18-17 as the school side maintained their unbeaten home record. Whitchurch HS will now meet Coleg Gwent in the relegation semi-final.
Despite notching their first win of the season with a 31-28 home win over fellow strugglers Cymoedd, they ended up bottom of the table. Cymoedd failed to win a game, yet still picked up seven bonus points in their seven outings.
Llandrillo ended up in seventh place and will now meet Cymoedd in the other semi-final.
In Conference B, Gower College also made it a magnificent seven out of seven as they finished five points clear of Newport HS. Gower triumphed 22-17 at the home of new boys Ysgol Ystalyfera to clinch top spot, while Ystalyfera ended up third.
The final semi-final place went to another of the new teams, Christ College, Brecon, despite them losing 30-27 at home to Newport HS. Brecon will now head to Gower College in the semi-final, where they were beaten 31-12 in the opening round.
Newport HS will host Ystalyfera, a school they beaten 41-25 in Round 6. In the battle between the bottom four sides, Bridgend College will meet Neath Port Talbot College, while Ysgol Dyffryn Aman will meet Coleg Sir Benfro.