Swalec Cup Round Two Predictions

Aberavon v Bargoed

The Wizards runners up last year will be keen to go one better this year, however they go into the match against the Division One East leaders on the back of two defeats. Both sides rely heavily on their big packs and I think the Wizards will have the edge in that department and will win convincingly.

Verdict-Aberavon by 15 points

Ammanford  v Tata Steel

Ammanford suffered a 67-6 drubbing at the hands of Division One West title contenders the Saints in the league last week. Although they have home advantage and cup pedigree winning the Swalec Plate last season, surely they won’t be able to turn around such a big deficit. Tata Steel have been flying in the league of late and the only concern for the coaches will be that the players underestimate the opposition.

Verdict- Tata Steel by 20 points 

Beddau    v   Mountain Ash

Beddau have already defeated the Old Firm twice in One East this season and come into the match having secured back to back wins over tough opposition. Although neither of Beddau’s victories over Mountain Ash were particularly one sided, I can only see one winner here.

Verdict- Beddau by 12 points

Bonymaen v Llanelli

Llanelli, the undisputed cup kings of Welsh rugby over the years, were given a kind draw for the second round and shouldn’t have too many problems seeing off their Division One West hosts. Bonymaen have won the last two in the league but Llanelli won’t want to get knocked out of a second cup competition in the space of a week or so.They can expect a hostile reception at Parc Mawr and may have to wait until the second-half to pull clear.

Verdict – Llanelli by 15 points

Cardiff v Glamorgan Wanderers

The Wanderers will get to renew their local rivalry with the Blues after being relegated from the Premiership last season. Having initially struggled with life in One East, the Wands have started to find their feet of late. Cardiff haven’t had a stellar season by any stretch of the imagination in the Premiership and sit mid-table. However, i feel they should comfortably defeat the visitors, although the opening half could prove to be a tight affair.

Verdict- Cardiff by 15 points

Carmarthen Athletic  v   Bridgend Athletic

In a repeat of last week's fixture, One West strugglers Bridgend travel to Johnstown looking to overturn their fortunes and a comprehensive defeat but the hosts I feel will be once again too strong for the visitors.

Verdict- Carmarthen by 20 points

Carmarthen Quins v Bridgend

It was only last weekend these two sides met in the Premiership. Quins’ 34-17 victory at the Brewery Field moved them up to third in the table, seven points off leaders Llandovery.

Quins will be looking for a third win over the Ravens this season when they square up in the cup. Last Saturday’s success saw them do the double against Bridgend following a 28-14 triumph earlier in the campaign.

Their growing confidence garnered through some impressive league form should see them through to the third round.

Verdict – Quins by 12 points

Cross Keys v Bedwas

There should only be one winner in this tie. Keys go into it on the back of a resounding thumping of Llanelli at Pandy Park in the British & Irish Cup and have home advantage again for this knockout fixture.That said, Bedwas pushed Llandovery all the way in the league last Saturday and came away from Church Bank with a losing bonus point so must have something about them on the road.

Fly-half Steffan Jones put in a virtuoso performance against Llanelli and Keys fans will be hoping for more of the same.

Verdict – Cross Keys by 10 points

Llandovery v Pontypridd

Arguably the tie of the second round sees the Premiership leaders host the Swalec Cup holders at Church Bank.Other sides may have games in hand on them but the Drovers are six points clear at the top of the league and, should they get past Pontypridd, could target silverware on two fronts this season.But Pontypridd have the cup pedigree and will be smarting from being dumped out of the British & Irish Cup last weekend.

Verdict – Llandovery by three points

Llangennech  v  UWIC

Llangennech have already defeated the students twice in One West but both matches have been tight affairs but the Carmarthenshire side have lost their last four matches on the bounce and will be eager to put in a big performance. The students meanwhile have had an indifferent start to the New Year but will feel confident they can pick up a win at the Park Rugby Ground.

Verdict-Llangennech by 3 points

Llanharan   v   Newbridge

Newbridge have rediscovered their impressive early season form in One East and sit in third, while Llanharan have adjusted well to life in One West having been transferred there by the WRU this season. If the Dairymen can get the upperhand up front it should be an interesting contest but I think the visitors guided by Neil Burnett will be too strong.

Verdict- Newbridge by 7 points

Newport  v Ebbw Vale

The Black and Ambers have struggled in the Welsh Premiership so far although they have won their last two matches on the bounce but the in form Steelmen who remain in the hunt for the Division One East title will feel they will never have a better chance to beat their close rivals.

Verdict-Ebbw Vale by 3 points

Pontypool v Neath

Neath are one of the favourites to lift the cup this year and will have too much for Pooler.Winners against Llandovery in their last match two weekends ago, Neath look all set to pounce in the league and can use their trip to Pontypool to send out a message to the rest of the Premiership.A decent cup run would work wonders for Pooler but it will need the visitors to have an off day for that to happen.

Verdict – Neath by 15 points

Swansea v Tondu

Tondu’s position in Division One West doesn’t fully do justice to how they’ve played this season, pushing several of the top clubs close.Swansea are a very up and down side and will be glad they are on home turf for this one as they bid to salvage something from a season that just seems to be petering out.Their class should tell in the end, though the visitors may give them a problem or two to start with.

Verdict – Swansea by 20 points

Tonmawr  v Treorchy

The Zebras face another trip West after defeating Narberth in the last round and will fancy their chances against the Premiership whipping boys but the Pitmen will be desperate to earn their first win of the season and won’t have a better chance.

Verdict- Tonmawr by 5 points

Tredegar v Rumney

Both of these sides have struggled to assert themselves in One East this season with the newcomers Tredegar only picking up a single victory so far, but Rumney needed a last minute penalty to pinch a victory in the same fixture only a few weeks ago.

Verdict- Rumney by 6 points