For community rugby clubs across Wales, all roads lead to Cardiff this weekend – and more specifically, the Principality Stadium.
The big stage is set to welcome eight clubs from across the country who have made it to their respective WRU National Division finals.
From 11am onwards, the silverware is up for grabs, there are storylines to be written and celebrations to be earned with supporters from all eight clubs making their way to the capital.
The National Division finals take place for Divisions Five, Four, Three and Two on Saturday.
Then, it’s the turn of Division One, the WRU National Championship Cup Final and the WRU National Premiership Cup Final on Sunday, April 23.
“The whole essence of this annual gathering at Principality Stadium is to inspire youngsters and reward those clubs up and down our National League structures with the chance to enjoy a unique day out at the home of Welsh rugby,” says the WRU community rugby director, Geraint John.
“Already we are seeing clubs involved in the senior finals filling buses to bring their fans to the Welsh capital to enjoy a great day out and we hope to welcome as many as possible.”
Division Five Crumlin have won six of their seven matches in Division Five East this season and reached the final after comfortably overcoming Pontardawe, 27-3 in the semi-final.
But Ferndale’s record is even better in Division Five East as they lead the table with a highly impressive 13 victories from as many matches.
Their route to the final involved a narrow semi-final victory, though – a 15-14 win over Tonna.
The Division Four final sees Bryncethin take on Nantyglo, with one club again, able to boast an unbeaten league campaign.
Bryncethin have won all 11 of their games in Division Four West Central and made the showpiece after a hard-earned 15-7 semi-final win over Chepstow.
Nantyglo have played 13 games in Division Four East, but have a record that shows one defeat and one drawn game.
Their passage to the final involved beating Wattstown, 13-7 in the semi-final.
The Division Three final pits Abertillery BG against Varde – an east v west battle that looks hard to call.
Abertillery have a faultless 13 wins from as many games in Division Three East, but had to work hard in overcoming Lampeter Town, 24-17, in the semi-final and were given a scare by Fairwater in round two before pulling through, 20-14.
Vardre have lost one of their nine games in Division Three West Central and were also made to sweat in their semi-final before out-running St. Clears, 23-13.
The last final of the day will see Aberdare and Morriston scrap it out for the Division Two crown.
Aberdare have won 14 of 15 games to lay second in Division Two East Central, while Morriston have slipped up twice – losing two of their 12 games in Division Two West Central, in which they also stand second.
The Swansea club squeezed past Heol y Cyw, 20-16, in their semi-final, while Aberdare’s progress also involved a tight contest. They edged Kidwelly by just three points, 15-12.
WRU National Division 5 Cup Final (11.00am): Crumlin v Ferndale
WRU National Division 4 Cup Final (1.15pm): Bryncethin v Nantyglo
WRU National Division 3 Cup Final (3.30pm): Abertillery BG v Vardre
WRU National Division 2 Cup Final (5.45pm): Aberdare v Morriston
Form guide and how they got to the finals:
WRU National Division 5 Cup Final – Crumlin v Ferndale
Crumlin
Division: 5 East Place: 2nd Record: P 7 W 6 D 0 L 1 Pts 30
Road To Final
25 March: Semi Final – Crumlin 27 – 3 Pontardawe
18 February: Quarter Final – Forgeside 12 – 24 Crumlin
28 January: Round 1 – Crumlin 81 – 0 Pantyffynnon
Pool Stages: Crumlin 52 – 7 Beaufort | Magor 0 – 45 Crumlin
Ferndale
Division: 5 East Central Place: 1st Record: P 13 W 13 D 0 L 0 Pts 64
Road To Final
25 March: Semi Final – Tonna 14 – 15 Ferndale
18 February: Quarter Final – Ferndale 22 – 0 Crickhowell
28 January: Round 1 – Ferndale 33 – 14 Rhigos
Pool Stages: Penybanc 7 – 71 Ferndale | Ferndale 17 – 7 South Gower
WRU National Division 4 Cup Final – Bryncethin v Nantyglo
Bryncethin
Division: 4 West Central Place: 2nd Record: P 11 W 11 D 0 L 0 Pts 53
Road To Final
25 March – Semi Final
Bryncethin 15 – 7 Chepstow
18 February – Quarter Final Newport Saracens 8 – 27 Bryncethin
28 January – Round 1 Caerau Ely 14 – 19 Bryncethin
Pool Stage Llandaff 0 – 19 Bryncethin Bryncethin 66 – 5 Treherbert Whitehead 5 – 43 Bryncethin Nantyglo
Division: 4 East Place: 1st Record: P 13 W 11 D 1 L 1 Pts 55
Road To Final
25 March – Semi Final Nantyglo 13 – 7 Wattstown
18 February – Quarter Final St Julian’s HSOB 0 – 38 Nantyglo
Pool Stage Gwernyfed 12 – 33 Nantyglo
WRU National Division 3 Cup Final – Abertillery BG v Vardre
Abertillery BG
Division: 3 East Place: 1st Record: P 13 W 13 D 0 L 0 Pts 63
Road To Final 25 March – Semi Final Lampeter Town 17 – 24 Abertillery BG
18 February – Quarter Final Tylorstown 0 – 14 Abertillery BG
28 January – Round 2 Abertillery BG 20 – 14 Fairwater
3 December – Round 1 Nantymoel 3 – 33 Abertillery B G Pool Stage Machen 7 – 47 Abertillery BG Cardiff Quins 21 – 38 Abertillery BG Abertillery BG 22 – 19 St Albans
Vardre
Division: 3 West Central Place: 3rd Record: P 9 W 8 D 0 L 1 Pts 37
Road To Final 25 March – Semi Final St Clears 13 – 23 Vardre
18 February – Quarter Final Abercrave 17 – 29 Vardre
21 January – Round 2 Vardre 16 – 13 Haverfordwest
3 December – Round 1 Vardre 21 – 7 Swansea Uplands
Pool Stage Vardre 20 – 0 Bynea Tonmawr 0 – 20 Vardre Vardre 50 – 22 Pembroke Dock Quins
WRU National Division 2 Cup Final – Aberdare v Morriston
Aberdare
Division: 2 East Central Place: 2nd Record: P 15 W 14 D 0 L 1 Pts 65
Road To Final
25 March – Semi Final Aberdare 15 – 12 Kidwelly
18 February – Quarter Final Aberdare 13 – 0 Talywain
Pool Stage
Abercynon 14 – 22 Aberdare Ynysddu 3 – 34 Aberdare
Morriston
Division: 2 West Central Place: 2nd Record: P 12 W 10 D 0 L 2 Pts 49
Road To Final
25 March – Semi Final Morriston 20 – 16 Heol y Cyw
18 February – Quarter Final Caerphilly 11 – 13 Morriston
28 January – Round 1 Cilfynydd 14 – 19 Morriston
Pool Stage Morriston 33 – 21 Porthcawl Morriston 38 – 0 Fishguard & Goodwick Burry Port 23 – 26 Morriston
