By Lestyn
February 9 2003

The only surprise of the cup this weekend was that there wasn't any. Although Carmarthen Quin's were denied in extra time against Ebbw Vale and Bonymaen led Cardiff at half time. The quarter final draw has thrown up some interesting derby ties.

Principality Cup 7th Round

Bonymaen 16-41 Cardiff
Bedwas 10-27 Newport
Caerphilly 21-46 Swansea (Friday)
Carmarthen Quins 8-13 Ebbw Vale
Cross Keys 16-49 Pontypridd
Glamorgan Wanderers 12-76 Neath
Newbridge 8-39 Bridgend
Pontypool 22-30 Llanelli


National League Division 1

Beddau 23-34 Whitland
Blackwood 51-11 Treorchy
Llanharan 19-33 Aberavon
Narberth 20-22 Tredegar

Neath still fuming from their Celtic League final defeat at the hand's of Munster, took at all their frustration's on Glamorgan Wanderers at the memorial ground. The side coached by Hemi Taylor, simply couldn't contain the All Blacks, as Lyn Jones's side  ran in 12 tries.

Newport never looked like losing at Bedwas, they were able to field their fullest side unlike Llanelli, the Scarlets travelled to Pooler park, and ran away with it in the second half, before the home side grabbed two late tries to add respect to the scoreline for the division one leaders .

Two other Gwent sides, Newbridge and Carmarthen Quin's also went out. The Quin's though were more than a match for Ebbw Vale, it took a try in the second half of extra time from replacement flanker Paul Williams to seperate the two sides. Newbridge on the other hand never came close to Bridgend, Tongan flanker Mama Molitika scored two of his sides four tries.

Defending champion's Ponty eased past Cross Key's and their opponents in the quarter finals Cardiff fought back from being down at half time to cruise past Bonymaen. Swansea helped by Gavin Henson, showed much improvement in beating Caerphilly on Friday night.

The quarter Final draw has thrown up ironically two matches, in which the club's playing having been touted as merging next season. Ponty travel to the Arms Park and Ebbw host Newport. The matches could be moved to a week after the six nation's have been played, following an agreement between the club's and Steve Hansen, to rest their international player's.

Principality Cup Quarter Final Draw

To be played the weekend of 15/16th March

Bridgend v Swansea
Cardiff v Pontypridd
Ebbw Vale v Newport
Llanelli v Neath