News

Penallta face Nant Conwy in the semi finals of the National Plate competition.

The game will be played on Saturday, 25th March at a neutral venue, to be decided.

The fixture is a repeat of the 2012 Swalec Plate final where Penallta held out to become champions at the Millennium Stadium, despite a stirring Nant Conwy fightback. Current Penallta captain Ross Morgan scored two tries in that memorable final to secure the title for the Pitmen.

It is also a repeat of the 2000 Worthington District's Welsh Cup semi final, where Nant Conwy beat Penallta with a late penalty through Peredur Ellis to make it to the final at the newly-built Millennium Stadium. The loss was a heartbreaker for Penallta, who were favourites for the cup after despatching Deri away from home in the quarter finals. Penallta did, however, go on to win the Cup in 2001 for the first time in their history.

The 2000 semi final was played at Caerphilly, in the days when Junior WRU officials had geographical difficulties selecting a neutral ground. Penallta travelled four miles, Nant Conwy about 200. Sady, it had no benefit for the devastated Penallta boys, led by the legendary Steve Barratt.

Penallta have faced difficult cup runs in the past, but this season's Plate run has been particularly arduous. Nant Conwy are currently top of Division 1 North, meaning that - at the time of each draw  - Penallta have drawn the league leaders of Division 1 East Central,  Division 1 West Central, Division 1 East and Division 1 North in succession. 

If the Pitmen go on to lift the National Plate this season, it will have truly been done the hard way.

Good luck boys!