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Over the next fortnight, seven rugby clubs from Caerphilly County Borough will be heading to the Principality Stadium in Cardiff to compete for silverware.

The annual tournament will see more than 800 players from across Wales come together in Cardiff to fight for the right to lift one of the 28 trophies up for grabs.

Starting on Sunday April 24, Bedwas will face Trebanos in the WRU Championship Plate, while high-flying Bargoed battle Neath for the WRU Championship Cup. 

The following Wednesday (April 27), Islwyn Schools – made up of pupils from Blackwood Comprehensive, Islwyn High, Risca Comprehensive and Newbridge Comprehensive – will take on Cardiff Schools in the Lawrence Miller Bowl.

Rhymney Valley U15 will also face Newport that same day as they bid to lift the Morgan Griffiths Plate.

On Saturday, April 30, both Penallta RFC and Crumlin RFC will be in action.

Penallta are set to take on Treorchy in the Plate Final. Penallta coach Gareth Bishop said: “We’ve had a tremendous past couple of years thanks to the junior base that we set up.

“25 of our 28 man squad have come through the juniors and youth. This will be the eighth time that we’ve been able to take part in this event and it all comes down to the club’s ethos.

“We play a lovely style of rugby, the boys play through the badge and it means everything to them.”

Meanwhile, Crumlin are set to complete one of the more remarkable turnarounds as they face Tonna in the Shield Final.

Five years ago, Crumlin were facing financial difficulties and on the brink of collapse. Speaking to Caerphilly Observer, club committee member Connor Valcic, spoke about how tough these past few years have been for the club.

“It was difficult for everyone. The club was already in trouble before the pandemic and that just made everything worse.”

Thanks to the help of the community and core of local players however, Crumlin have managed to come out the other side stronger than ever according to Valcic. He said: “It was sad to see us on the brink, but it has been one hell of a journey.

“To be able to play in the stadium will be the biggest achievement in the club’s history. We’ve already got 250 people set to come and support us and after the couple of years we’ve had it’s going to be great, no matter the result.

“This is just the start for Crumlin. We can’t wait to kick on.”

The female game has also been going strong within the borough, with Blackwood Ladies playing Lampeter Town on Sunday, May 1 in the South Wales Plate Final.

The side earned the right to compete in the final following a bonus point win over Taff’s Well.

The following day, May 2, Nelson’s U15 girls side will take on Cardiff Quins in the National Cup Final.

Later that Monday, the Chargers Female Hub will field two sides with the U15s playing Stradey Sospans and the U18s facing Merched Mynydd Mawr.