Buns face tough test against former winners
ST ALBANS have been handed a plum home tie with former champions Amman United in the fourth round of this season’s WRU National Bowl.
The Buns were one of 21 clubs who received byes through the third round but awaiting them now are Three West B table toppers Amman, who have a 100 per cent winning record so far this season.
Amman, who also had a bye in the last round, will themselves have their sights firmly set on a return to the Principality Stadium having been there only two seasons ago when, inspired a try-scoring Shane Williams, they lifted the Bowl following a thrilling 43-31 win over Caerphilly in the final.
St Albans were 29-7 winners over Penallta seconds in the first round before romping to a 52-7 win over Risca’s second string in round two.
Cameron Escott was at the double in that match with George Hunt-Pain, Mike Thomas, Nathan Hayde, Ian Griffiths, Jamie Boyle and Owen Bradshaw also crashing over the whitewash in the eight-try win.
Thomas added the other points from the tee.
Amman, meanwhile, are yet to kick a ball in anger in this season’s competition after they were given walkovers through the first two rounds against Cwmtwrch and South Gower respectively before a bye into the last 32.
The match with St Albans will be their first Bowl match since that memorable day in the capital in 2017 as they were also promoted to Division Two that season – before being relegated straight back to Division Three last season.
The Buns, who were crowned Three East Central C champions last season, have enjoyed a decent start to life in Three East Central B with five wins and only two defeats from the first seven matches.
They began the three season in style with three straight victories against Caerau Ely, Tonyrefail and Llantwit Major.
A 27-19 defeat at home against Treherbert then followed – ending a run of 18 straight league victories across two seasons – before bouncing back with a win at Llandaff North.
A second defeat of the campaign then followed, as they went down narrowly 21-19 at home against Wattstown before edging out Old Penarthians 18-16 back on October 27 – which was their last outing.
St Albans are currently third in the table with 23 points from seven matches, seven behind leaders Canton who themselves have a game in hand and have won all six of their league matches.
Next up for the Buns is a trip to fourth-placed Llandaff on Saturday while they then go to second bottom Glyncoch on December 1.
Then, a week later, they are back at Tremorfa Park for the clash with Amman United when a place in the last 16 of the Bowl will be up for grabs. WRU National Plate third round draw: Bridgend Athletic v Treorchy, Brynmawr v Glamorgan Wanderers, Cambrian Welfare v Mumbles, Heol y Cyw v Penallta, Llandudno v Blaenavon, Nelson v Croesyceiliog, Pencoed v Seven Sisters, Pwllheli v Mountain Ash, Resolven v Senghenydd, Rhiwbina v Llanelli Wanderers, Rumney v Brecon.
Byes: Ammanford, Bonymaen, Cilfynydd, Glynneath, Ynysddu.
WRU National Bowl fourth round draw: Abercrave v Oakdale, Blaina v Pyle, Cwmgors v Nantgaredig, Dolgellau v Bryncethin, Nant Conwy II v Aberaeron, Pentyrch v Bargoed II, Penygraig v COBRA, Pwllheli v Llanhilleth, RTB Ebbw Vale v Pontrhydyfen, St Albans v Amman United, Tredegar Ironsides v Pontyclun, Treharris v Abergavenny, Tylorstown v Haverfordwest, Usk v Neyland, Wrexham v Bridgend Sports, Ynysowen v CR Cymry Caerdydd. Ties in both competitions scheduled to be played on Saturday, December 8