Nant carry the flag in the quarters but face stiff opposition.
Despite gallant displays Rhuthun, COBRA and Wrexham were knocked out of the comps last Saturday. Rhuthun fell to the Plate favourites at Ystrad Rhondda whilst COBRA and Wrexham were beaten at home by high ranking Pembroke and Deri in the Bowl.
Meanwhile Nant march through to the Plate quarter finals following a great 25-15 victory at Blaenavon.
They have secured a home draw in the quarters when they face familiar opponents in Div 1 West Central Maesteg Quins. The Quins made the journey to Pant Carw in the same competition in December 2016 when Nant won 10-0. Nant success on that day was based on a very strong and well organised defensive display to keep a clean sheet despite going down to 13 men after 2 yellow cards late in the game. The Jones boys were the heroes, Gwion with a try and Delwyn with a well struck penalty and conversion.
The Quins like Nant are enjoying a great season -unbeaten in all comps and are 6 points clear in a tough league. They have an impressive record of P10 W10 in the league scoring 42 tries which averages 4 plus a game.They beat Treorchy at home 32-8 in the last round. All in all they will be formidable opponents as you would expect at this stage in the competition-a look at the other high calibre clubs who have made it to the quarters confirms the strength required and challenges to get to the final.The clubs left are Nelson, Ystrad Rhondda , Ystalyfera, Glam Wanderers, Brynmawr and Crymych (who knocked out old foes Penallta). The following is a precis from the WRU site - - - -
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There were some familiar faces among Ystrad Rhondda scorers 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
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What a game in prospect, put it in your diary, scheduled for 10th March at Pant Carw. The semi final place beckons for the Nant boys again as they continue to strive to emulate their memorable 2012 final appearance at the Millenium/Principality Stadium--CMON NANT.
Hywel
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