Last season they met Llandovery College in the final at Principality Stadium and fell just short. Now they go into their final four clash with Coleg y Cymoedd as the team to beat. That game is at the Arms Park on Thursday night.
Before that, four-time champions Coleg Sir Gar are back in business at the sharp end of the competition as they host reigning champions Llandovery College at The Graig today (Wednesday, 20 November, 2.30pm kick-off).
Euros Evans side lost only once, in north Wales to Coleg Llandrillo, in their seven league games and drew 24-24 with Glantaf to finish second in the Conference A table. They have Sam Williams back to full fitness but are missing Scarlets Academy back row man Dom Kossuth.
“It’s great to have a home tie and we know Llandovery College will be a much different prospect to when we played them in the league. They had won their first three games when they came to us in October and I think they were a little bit over-confident,” said Evans.
“We know they won’t be making that mistake again after we beat them 38-7. I’m sure it won’t be like that again, but we will go into the game full of confidence.”
A 32-28 win at Whitchurch HS last week earned them the home semi-final, while Llandovery’s 28-26 defeat at Glantaf condemned them to third place. Cymoedd’s 32-19 home triumph over Whitchurch HS earned them a top four finish after they started with back-to-back defeats.
The first of those was against Glantaf at the Arms Park, when they were beaten 36-20. Llywarch ap Myrddin, head coach at Glantaf, is obviously hoping for a repeat performance to reach another final.
“I’ve been really happy with the way we’ve gone so far this season, but we all know everything is on the line on Thursday night. Going unbeaten and finishing top of our conference is a great achievement,” said Ap Myrddin.
“The players love playing at the Arms Park and consider it to be their second home. We beat Cymoedd there in our opening game of the season in another televised match, but they will be coming into this game on the back of a good derby win over Whitchurch.
“We weren’t at our best when we played Llandovery, although we had to play without two of our best players. Lloyd Lucas is out with an injury, while Tom Howe wasn’t available.
“Tom is back for the semi-final and that is a big boost for us. Will Adams has moved into the No 10 shirt to replace Lloyd, and he has been doing a good job for us.
“We’ve also got the experience of Ioan Penry back in the centre to line up alongside Bailey Cutts. We’re excited at the prospect of reaching another final and potentially improving on last year.”
While the top four are playing for a place in the final at Principality Stadium on 5 December, the four teams in the bottom half of the table are looking to stave off relegation. Whitchurch HS host Gower College and Cardiff & Vale College welcome Coleg Llandrillo.
The two winning teams will then play off for fifth place, with the two losers facing a relegation battle next week.
In Conference B, unbeaten Gower College will start as favourites to regain their top tier status after falling out of Conference A last season. They will host Ysgol Ystalyfera, while Bridgend College welcome Newport HS in the other semi-final to determine who will play in the Promotion final.
Lower down, Ysgol Dyfryn Aman entertain Neath Port Talbot College and Christ College, Brecon, have home advantage over Coleg Benfro.
In the WSC U18 Girl’s completion there will be a repeat of the final of the last four years in the first semi-final with reigning champions Gwent College hosting Llandovery College at Ystrad Mynach. The second semi will see Coleg y Cymoedd face Coleg Llandrillo at Sardis Road.
The fifth-place play-off game sees Coleg Sir Gar host Cardiff & Vale College.
