The Scots, full of hope and a measure of understandable confidence, came down in their hordes to Cardiff last weekend but were dispatched in style - in the words of their great anthem - 'sent homeward tae think again'
Twickenham on Saturday is a much more difficult challenge but what I would give to see the 'wheels come flying off their chariot' --Cmon Wales.
Meanwhile we have our own Conwy Land Rover Cup/Plate quarter finals this week to make it a truly fabulous rugby week end. Cup rugby and matches are notoriously hard to predict but I will have a go.
North Wales Cup
Thursday evening 8th Feb KO 7-30.
First off is the senior cup when Bala make the journey to Cae Ddol to face Rhuthun. Bala are currently in 2nd place in the league whilst the Cae Ddol outfit have dropped to 7th position following a poor run. Honours are even between these two, Bala won 42-3 in the league but Rhuthun turned the tables winning 13-10 at Maes Gwyniad in the WRU Plate. Close call but I go for an away win.
On Saturday 10th Feb we have three matches-
Caernarfon v Llangefni ko 12.30
Llangefni travel to The Morfa to take on the Cofis for a place in the semis. They have played each other twice this season with the Cofis taking the spoils 28-22 at Cae Smyrna but Cefni won 13-6 last month. Both games were tight affairs -it could be the Cofis turn for a W this time.
Llandudno v Nant ko 1.30
Leaders Nant go to Maesdu Road to face an improving Llandudno side who have climbed to 4th place in the league following a great winning run of 5 matches. Nant won 38-17 on their visit to the seaside earlier in the season (which I think is Tudno's last league defeat). Another close call but Nant may have the edge.
Intermediate Cup
In the Intermediate there are two cracking games on FRIDAY evening both ko 7-30.
Div 3 leaders Teirw Nant host 3rd place Pwllheli 2nds at Pant Carw. The Nant boys won 23-12 at home in their league encounter in November and are scheduled to to vista Bodegroes in the reverse fixture the following week. This top table clash is difficult to predict -I have seen both sides play this season and it could go either way but I veer towards Nant to march through to the semis.
Bryn Estyn Wrexham will be buzzing on Friday evening when Shotton are the visitors. Its a battle between 2nd and 3rd place with a single point advantage to the visitors and it is uncanny that there is little difference between them on points For/Against in the table. Wrexham won 7-3 at home in their last league encounter whilst Shotton won 26-24 in the reverse fixture. A cracker in prospect and I go for a home win.
The other quarter final is an all Mid wales affair when COBRA visit Llanidloes-this is scheduled for Thursday 22nd Feb ko 7.30.
C R Dinbych are already through to the semis following their win against Rhyl last month.
Intermediate Plate
3rd Division Flint are at home to Div 2 Abergele on SATURDAY 10th FEB. ko 1.30. The visitors have struggled so far this season but come to this match on the back of a good win against Newtown last time out. Flint are currently in mid table P13 W6 L7 record. Could be close but home advantage may tip the balance.
Newtown join Bangor and Llangollen in the semis following last week's dramatic 22-20 win against neighbours Welshpool.
Hywel
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