Rhiwbina underdogs for Plate Showdown

Two East Champions Rhiwbina head into Sunday’s Swalec Plate final against Merthyr as undoubted underdogs, but if the Squirrels’ season is anything to go by so far they have more than enough ammunition to shock the One East Champions. 

So far this season Rhiwbina have proved they have a great Cup mentality and have dispatched four division one sides en route to the final-accounting for the scalps of East’s Bedlinog and Ynysybwl, West’s Kidwelly and One North’s Nant Conwy.

Rhiwbina claimed the second division crown last night after they easily dispatched Tredegar 64-7, helping themselves to ten tries in the process.

Rhiwbina's Chris Fido in action against Tredegar

Alex Kerr bagged a hat-trick, while Chris Fido (2), Pat Howell, Kris Barry, Josh Madley, George Gauntlett and Grant Fitzgerald also crossed.

With the Plate final on Sunday and the prestigious Silver Ball final against Glynneath to come, it could potentially be Rhiwbina’s best ever campaign.

Long-serving Squirrels Chairman Paul Maddocks is excited ahead of the Plate showdown.  

“We have one of the most momentous days in our history when we face Merthyr at the Millennium Stadium on Sunday."

Looking ahead to the final Maddocks knows his side will be up against it.

“We’re realistic and know we are very much the underdogs against Merthyr in the Swalec Plate Final, but we’ll be out to do the very best we can with the league title under our belts.”

Club Official John Humphreys added, “Whilst the First XV has had an historic season along with a Silver Ball Final later in May to look forward to, our Seconds and Thirds also continue to do well.

“The Seconds are in contention to retain the Cardiff & District Premier league title and are East District 2nd XV Cup Finalists, while the Thirds are once again in the Ninian Stuart Cup Final.”

Merthyr meanwhile will go into the clash full of confidence having completed the first part of a potential league and cup double, as they clinched the One East title with a bonus point 22-12 triumph over local rivals Bedlinog at the Wern.

The title sees the Ironmen promoted to the Championship, a remarkable turnaround from 12 months ago when they only narrowly avoided relegation.

Merthyr celebrate clinching the Swalec One East title 

However, under Lee Jarvis’ direction, Merthyr are now a formidable outfit having run in 113 tries so far in their successful league campaign.

Winger Owen Morgan was the toast of Merthyr as the speedster bagged a hat-trick, while on the opposite flank Aaron Howard also went over.