Caerphilly RFC is calling on supporters, locals, and rugby fans to head to the Constructaquote Stadium on Saturday February 18 as the Castlemen attempt to make it into the WRU National Bowl semi-finals.
With a break in the National League Division 3 East A due to the Six Nations, Caerphilly are contemplating a Principality Stadium appearance of their own this week. Having dispatched Wattstown in the fifth round of the National Bowl competition, the side entered the quarter-fainl draw along with seven other teams: Amman Utd, Burry Port, Cardigan, Cilfynydd, Milford Haven, Swansea Uplands and Taff’s Well.
Caerphilly were drawn as a home team, and will welcome last year’s competition runners-up, Taff Well, from Division 3 South Central A, to be the Contructaquote Stadium in Caerphilly on Saturday.
Caerphilly have reached two major finals in their history, the Parker Pen Shield Final in 2003 – as they became the third Welsh side to reach a major European final behind Cardiff and Llanelli – and the Swalec Cup final against Neath in 2004, losing both ties at the final hurdle.
Three league titles in the 90s and a rise to the upper echelons of Welsh rugby was quickly followed with a close runners-up slot in Division 1 in 2007.
The side has had little to shout about in recent years, despite losing narrowly in the Mid District Bowl Final against Porth in 2015 and the second team, Caerphilly Diamonds, winning the Ifor Williams District Cup in 2013.
The side has seen a resurgence in results this season, with a professional commitment from the players of both the 1st and 2nd team, along with the arrival of Brett Davey, who was part of the team’s success through the late 90s before his departure for Pontypridd, where he played with current backs coach Matthew Nuthall.
A good 2016-17 season has yielded results and, despite two narrow defeats in the league, the side sit four points behind league leaders Hartridge with a game in hand, and two points behind Oakdale with two games in hand over them.
The team have also finished top of this year’s Glamorgan County Silver Ball league table having won ten out of ten games in the competition with 77 tries.
Outside-half Matthew Hurley is a great contributor with a personal tally of 256 point, 16 tries, 52 conversions and 24 penalties in the season so far.
This weekend’s game is a big test for the side, playing Taff’s Well who were narrowly defeated in last year’s final at the Principality Stadium by Burry Port, who also remain in the competition.
A large crowd is expected at the Contructaquote Stadium for the fixture and the club are urging rugby supporters in the Rhymney Valley, friends, and supporters to come along early to the game, where there will be a large screen, pyrotechnics, a guard of honour from the junior section, and some very good rugby on a large flat pitch against good opposition.
Entry will be £4 with concessions available for the 2.30pm kick off.
• Words and photography by Mark Tamplin of Caerphilly RFC.