Dramatic finish in store for Prem Cup

THE battle to see who ends on top of the WRU Premiership Cup in both the east and the west will go right down to the wire this weekend.

In the west, league leaders Aberavon host second place Llandovery knowing that a win or a draw will see them end on top of the pile. Meanwhile, in the east, Newport host Ebbw Vale safe in the knowledge that a win will see them finish ahead of secondplaced Cardiff.

The Drovers are the only team to have beaten Aberavon to date, their 24-18 victory at the Talbot Athletic Ground coming in the fifth round of matches on 16 October. The only defeat suffered by Llandovery was a shock 25-19 reverse at home to Bridgend.

With a two-point gap between the two teams there is everything to play for to earn the bragging rights of finishing on top of the table. The first four teams go through to the knock-out phase in the New Year, with the top two taking home advantage.

“Were in a good run of form and we’re unbeaten away form home. It would be great to finish as top dogs, but we know how strong Llandovery can be,” said Aberavon head coach Jason Hyatt.

“We’ve still got a number of injuries around the place, but Aled Thomas should be fit to return when we get into the proper league programme. It has been great being able to blood some youngsters and we’re in a good place at the moment.”

In the other game in the west, Carmarthen Quins welcome archrivals Llanelli and Swansea host Bridgend. While Llanelli cannot reach the next phase, if Bridgend can win at St Helen’s they could clinch the fourth spot.

In the east, Newport will be targeting a double over Gwent rivals Ebbw Vale.

The Steelmen were beaten 44-17 at home when the two sides met earlier in the competition and have lost their last seven in a row after a promising start that saw they beat Merthyr and Pontypridd.

They cannot make the top four, but for Newport there will be twin goals. They will want to rectify the defeat they suffered in their last home outing against RGC and to deny Cardiff top spot.

Cardiff are two points adrift and welcome Merthyr to the Arms Park for a game from which the Ironmen need to get at least a point to be guaranteed a top four finish.

Ponty head north to face RGC in another crucial battle for a topfour finish.