On the rugby pitch located at the top of the mountain overlooking the Swansea Valley, the Under 8s training session is in full swing under the watchful eye of Bonymaen head coach Stewart Alan and the club’s most famous son – Alun Wyn Jones.

The junior scene is thriving. A proud grandfather informs me there are over 150 children playing in the age grades 7-13.

They are all basking in the recent success of the senior team with the WRU Plate final being the main topic of conversation day in day out, instilling an aspiration to replicate the success of the senior team.

Most of the current senior team started their journey with the club from the age of six and their voyage is a fantastic testament to grassroots rugby.

On the morning of the final, the supporters will meet at the clubhouse for a hearty breakfast. Then six buses are expected to leave around midday to transport the Bony fans up the M4 to cheer on their team.

The club has a proud history and can boast Malcolm Dacey, Richard Webster, Rory Thornton and Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones amongst its alumni.

Alun Wyn stays on to watch the senior training session and offers some encouragement – he knows a thing or two about winning trophies – prompting vice-captain Richard William Cunniffe to comment how great it is to see the Bonymaen professionals give back to the club.

The other professional player present is Thornton, the Ospreys second row on loan to Cardiff Blues. Thornton is a former Bonymaen player and is also their forwards coach. His contribution is valued by the players, winger and backs coach Chris Moore praised his influence and commented that they have learnt a lot from him.

Given their current run of success it’s very hard to imagine that only eight years ago the club faced an uncertain future.

The practice of paying rugby players took its toll and Bonymaen found itself in financial difficulties. The decision to stop paying players was taken and many of the senior team returned to their local clubs.

In order to survive the club needed to fill this void left by the departing players. Fortunately there was a wealth of talent in the youth set up and they found themselves thrust in at the deep end to compete at senior level.

Cunniffe reminisces: “I was involved in the youth team at the time. We were lucky the youth team was good enough to step up.”

The majority of the current squad is made up of those youth boys who stepped up to the plate all those years ago and the bond within the squad is tangible.

During this successful run to Principality Stadium, one of their most difficult games was against Treorchy in the semi-finals. Trailing 14-0 at half-time the vice-captain reflected on how the boys dug in and got the win.

The fact that they are in the final of the WRU Plate is a testament to the character of the players and the special place the club has in the hearts of its supporters.

Looking ahead to the challenge Cunniffe said: “I’ve played for the club since I was six years old. It’s a great feeling up here, we all love it. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity. We’re going to go for it and hopefully get the win.”