Ystrad Rhondda are setting their sights on following in the footsteps of Penallta in becoming only the second club to win the WRU National Plate twice in their history.
The Division 1 East Central table-toppers eased their way into the quarter-finals with a 60-10 home win over Ruthin last weekend and picked up an away trip to Division 1 East side Nelson on 27 January.
Penallta, who won the trophy for the second time last season when they pipped Ystalyfera on try count after the game ended in a 16-16 draw, and now Ystrad are looked to emulate that achievement by adding this year’s title to their 2015 crown.
There were some familiar faces among their scores last weekend in their eight try victory. Wing Chris Clayton was a try scorer in the 25-17 win over Newcastle Emlyn in the Welsh capital in the final three years ago, and he scored against Ruthin.
The other tries came from Jack Foulkes (2), Carl Williams, Jarrad Llewellyn, Gerwyn Coleman, Ben Langford and Harvey Connelly. Outside half Rhys Truelove, another survivor from the champion side of 2015, added three conversions.
Glamorgan Wanderers, who won 6-3 at Mountain Ash in the last round, have earned a home tie against Division 1 East title challengers Brynmawr. Inspired by player-coach Damien Hudd, Brynmawr are second behind Brecon in Division 1 East and have lost only once this season.
The Wanderers sit just behind Ystrad Rhondda at the top of Division 1 East Central, while the clash between Nant Conwy and Maesteg Quins brings together the top two teams in Division 1 North and Division 1 West Central.
The Quins are unbeaten in league and cup this season, while Nant Conwy are currently seven points clear at the top of their league with only one defeat in 13 outings.
In the other quarter-final, last season’s runners-up, Ystalyfera, head to the lowest ranked of the eight clubs, Crymych. The Pembrokeshire side may be propping up Division 1 West with only one league win this season, but they beat the reigning champions Penallta 12-7 last weekend and will no doubt feel confident on their own patch.
WRU PLATE QUARTER FINALS
Matches to be played the weekend of 10 March, 2018
Crymych v Ystalyfera
Glamorgan Wanderers v Brynmawr
Nant Conwy v Maesteg Quins
Nelson v Ystrad Rhondda
The students of Cardiff University will be bidding to stay on course to become the only non-league team to go all the way to the Principality Stadium when they host Nantgaredig in the quarter-finals of the WRU National Bowl.
While they are used to playing at the Principality Stadium in the Welsh Varsity Match every other year, going all the way in the Bowl would be an amazing achievement for the university side, who currently top their BUCS League as well.
Last year Nantgaredig beat the Swedish national team and they currently sit in fifth in Division 3 West B with only two defeats all season. They beat the 2016 finalists Taffs Well 13-9 at home last weekend to reach the last eight.
Something will have to give when Pembroke, top of Division 3 West A with eight wins out of nine, host Deri, who are unbeaten and have control of Division 3 East B.
Abercwmboi are another table-topping league outfit, who sit three points clear of everyone else in Division 3 East Central A with 10 wins out of 11. They travel to Monmouth, who are third in Division 3 East A having lost only once in the league and cup this season.
In the other game, Penygraig, who are fifth in Division 3 East Central A, host Porthcawl. The Seasiders are fourth in Division 3 West Central A having suffered only one defeat.
WRU BOWL QUARTER FINALS
Matches to be played the weekend of 10 March, 2018
Cardiff University v Nantgaredig
Monmouth v Abercwmboi
Pembroke v Deri
Penygraig v Porthcawl