It’s Swalec Cup quarter-final day tomorrow with some extremely tasty showdowns, as the final eight sides strive for Cup glory. There is only one all Premiership tie with the bottom two teams in the division squaring off while the remaining three pit Championship clubs against Premiership rivals, with all the lower league teams capable of re-writing the history books.
The tie of the round is undoubtedly Ebbw Vale v Pontypridd – the top of the Championship against the top of the Premiership - and regardless of any regional rugby this weekend, if I could go to one match it would be this titanic clash, and I’m sure the crowd will play a huge part.
The other negating factor this weekend is the atrocious weather - let’s hope the rain and possible snow that’s forecast doesn’t ruin these fixtures! Nevertheless, I’m sure the elements will have a major effect on the way the matches are played, with running rugby surely to be a rare commodity tomorrow.
Blackwood v Carmarthen Quins
Carmarthen Quins will be hoping to avoid the potential banana skin at Glan yr Afon tomorrow. After producing the goods last time out against Bedwas, the visitors will make sure no complacency slips into their match as they look to avoid being dumped out of the competition by lower league opposition for two years running.
Blackwood have had a relatively safe passage into the last 8, seeing off Championship strugglers Pontypool and Glamorgan Wanderers with ease and with the heavy rain forecast, if the Gwent side can remain within striking distance as the 80 minutes approaches, they’ll definitely be fancying their chances.
However, I think the Quins will be eager to repeat their Millennium trip of three years ago and I don’t envisage the Premiership outfit slipping up.
Verdict - Carmarthen Quins by 7 points
Ebbw Vale v Pontypridd
If Ebbw Vale were hosting any other Premiership side I probably would have started them as favourites, but such is the calibre of the Ponty squad you would have to be a fool to bet against them.
This will be a great tester for the Steelmen, who showed their mettle to see off Cardiff in the last round, and I’m sure the vociferous crowd will transform Eugene Cross Park into an amphitheatre of sporting drama come 2.30 tomorrow.
What do you say about Dale McIntosh’s men? They are 20 points clear at the summit of the Premiership and will be itching to go one better than their Cup final defeat last year. Ponty in recent weeks haven’t looked as clinical and were lucky to come through against Newport and Aberavon in the league, but this side has forgotten what defeat tastes like. However, they will know that if they are not on top of their game tomorrow, they could be in for a nasty shock.
Verdict - Pontypridd by 6 points
Neath v Bargoed
Neath dumped holders Cross Keys out of the competition in the last round and after their recent rejuvenation in the league despite narrowly losing out at Newport, things are on the up for Patrick Horgan’s men. Bargoed are 14 points behind Ebbw Vale in the Championship after falling off the pace in recent weeks, but they will be eager to add the Gnoll side to their list of giant killings.
With the weather looking atrocious, the victory will surely come down to the forwards in a territory match. As a result, I think this will be a close contest but the Premiership side start as favourites... just.
Verdict - Neath by 5 points
Swansea v Aberavon
Both these sides' supporters could do with being paid back with an end-of-season trip to the Millennium after they have seen their sides, for the most part, on the wrong end of many a scoreline.
The bottom two in the Principality Premiership both find themselves in a strange situation going into this match as they both triumphed last time out in the league.
The Wizards have seen a resurgence in form, winning two from three, while Swansea held out Bridgend despite going down to 12 players for a period of time. Swansea won their league encounter at St Helens back in September but the winner tomorrow is anyone’s call, though I think the Wizards might just sneak it.
Verdict - Aberavon by 3 points
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