Swalec trophies semi-final round-up

Carmarthan Quins came within two points of upsetting Premiership leaders Pontypridd in the first Swalec Cup semi-final to be played, as Ponty scraped through to the final.

Having only just stuttered past Ebbw Vale in the previous round by a single point, The Valley Commandos were pushed just as close by the Quins before taking their place in a third final in as many years via an 18-16 win.

Both sides crossed the whitewash twice. No8 Dan Godfrey and hooker Huw Dowden made it a productive day for the Ponty pack, while Alex Pickersgill and James Dixon replied for the Quins.

Dai Flanagan kicked eight points, with his conversion of Ponty’s opening try the deciding factor in this encounter.

They now await the winner of today’s other semi-final between Aberavon and Neath.

The final of the Swalec Plate will be an all-One East affair as Rhydyfelin upset the odds to see off Ystrad Rhondda, while Heol y Cyw downed Cwmllynfell in an East v West semi-final.

Rhydyfelin, who started as underdogs against high-flying Ystrad, proved too strong for their league counterparts with a 17-3 triumph.

Captain fantastic Keiron Phillips earned himself a few drinks in the clubhouse after the game, grabbing a hat-trick of tries to send his side through to the Millennium Stadium and a big day out in Cardiff, leaving Ystrad licking the unwanted wounds of crashing out at the semi-final stage for the second year running.

Heol y Cyw complete a surprise line-up as they pulled off another shock in defeating Cwmllynfell 19-15 in a day for the underdogs.

They out-scored their One West rivals three tries to two with touchdowns from Gareth Howells, Luke O’Driscoll and Mike Huckridge to earn their place in Cardiff, and give their fans something to look forward to at the season’s climax.

Fishguard will meet Wattstown in the final of the Swalec Bowl at the home of Welsh rugby after they came through their respective semi-finals.

Division Four South East leaders Wattstown scraped past Four East’s Blaenavon by the narrowest of margins with a 16-15 victory. Mike Tinson grabbed 11 of his side’s points through a touchdown and two penalties, while Chris Davies also went over to give their supporters the victory they craved.

In the other semi-final, Cilfynydd staged a fierce second half fightback, but Fishguard held out for an equally narrow 22-20 win. The West Walians crossed three times through Simon James, Ed Bendell and James Griffiths to take their place in the final.