This weekend will see the first round of the Welsh Youth Cup Competitions take place with 33 teams from the Ospreys region compete in the Cup, Plate and Bowl.
Last year’s Plate winners Gowerton are playing in the Cup this season with a tough away fixture at Cwmavon RFC. Gowerton are this year in Ospreys A Division and have had a tough start to the season following narrow defeats against Pontarddulais (8-7) and Nantyffyllon (13-18).
Coach Dean Charles, however, is confident that they are on the right track and is not taking Cwmavon lightly:
“We have had a mixed start to our season after a stop start pre-season due to the majority of our squad touring Australia & Singapore during the Summer break. They played five games against top opposition and won four out of the five. However this was to bring home battle hardened players with many also carrying some nasty injuries.
“If you throw in the mix, some unprepared holidays we have been up & down with numbers. This has however given many lads a chance to step up and many have to their credit. Selection should be interesting as we have a few players coming back to fitness for this week! We know Cwmavon are a very good side and are expecting a tough game but we are looking forward to playing them and hopefully it will be an entertaining match.”
Cwmavon RFC, in Ospreys B Division, have had a mixed start following an season opening victory at home to Tondu (19-17) followed by a loss to Neath Athletic (50-21) last weekend.
Captain Rhys Henry is looking forward to this weekends Cup fixture:
“We know it's going to be a tough game on Saturday against Gowerton after their successful run last season in the competition but we have belief in the squad and if we play to our own game I'm sure we can cause an upset. The squad is a tight nit group , very honest. , who work hard for each other and are a very determined side.”
This Weekend’s Fixtures:
Cup
Abercwmboi v Waunarlwydd
Bonymaen v Vardre
Cwmavon v Gowerton
Dulais Valley v Kenfig Hill
Llanelli Wanderers v Dunvant
Nantyffyllon v Neath Ath
Pencoed v Bridgend Ath
Pontarddulais v Felinfoel
Plate
Bridgend Sports v Gilfach Goch
Morriston v Abercrave
Pontyberem v Bryncoch
Trebanos v Porthcawl
Bowl
Bridgend Ath II v Aberdare II
Cwmtwrch v Tata Steel
Loughor v Taibach
Nantymoel v Bryncethin
Penclawdd v Briton Ferry
South Gower v Llandovery
Swansea Uplands v Mumbles
Tondu v Tonna