It will be the second trip in the space of a fortnight that the unbeaten leaders of Division 1 East will make to their near neighbours. They clash at the Welfare Ground in the league this weekend when the home side will be defending their six match unbeaten run.
Pontypool did the double over Newbridge last season and are currently 14 points clear of them in the league table.
The other all Division 1 clash in Round 2 sees Dunvant travel to local rivals Bonymaen. Champions of Division 1 West last season, and Division 1 the season before that, Bonymaen have been beaten twice in the league to date this season – including a home reverse to Dunvant.
Their 6-3 win, courtesy of two Chris Horner penalties, was ample revenge for their 26-8 drubbing at the same venue the previous season.
“It was a big win for us in the league, not many sides win at Bonymaen,” said Dunvant Coach Matt McCarthy.
“The trouble is that winning once was hard enough, but now we’ve got to go and do it all over again in the cup. They will still be smarting from the league match, so we’ll have to play even better.
“But it is a great tie for us and we definitely want to progress further in the cup. We’ve assembled a good young side and pout captain and No.8 Rory Gallagher is playing some outstanding rugby.”
While the average age of McCarthy’s side is in the low twenties, there is one exception – former Neath and Wales No.8 Mark Jones.
Jones has played in Dunvant’s last three games and is about to rekindle a love affair with the WRU Challenge Cup that begun more than 20 years ago. In fact, he figured in his first final as a replacement for Neath when they were beaten 28-13 by Llanelli in front of a world record club crowd of 56,000 in 1988.
“Mark provides the experience that we sometimes lack. He is the rock around which everyone rallies,” added McCarthy, who coached Bonymaen to the First Division title two seasons ago.
Pontypool and Bonymaen are two of only eight of the 24 teams in the two First Divisions who have got home ties in their first entry into the Konica Minolta Cup this season. The students of UWIC, who reached the British Universities final at Twickenham last season, are the only other side from the East, while Corus, Llangennech, Narberth, Waunarlwydd and Whitland join Bonymaen from the West.
Division 1 West leaders Tonmawr are drawn away at Division 3 South East side St Peter’s, while reigning Division 1 East champions Beddau face a fascinating trip to Division 2 East neighbours Rhydyfelin.
Merthyr will also face a challenging trip to the leaders of Division 2 West, Mumbles, while Nelson will be hoping they finally get a game in the tournament after two walkovers against Trefil and Talywain in the earlier rounds guaranteed them a trip to Narberth.
Colwyn Bay will carry the hopes of north Wales into the second round as the only one of three clubs from Division 4 North with a home draw. They host Division 2 West outfit Loughor, while Dolgellau travel south to meet Blaenavon of Division 5 East and Ruthin head to Felinfoel, to meet the Division 2 West side.
ROUND 2 KONICA MINOLTA CUP (Matches to be played Saturday November 17th)
Aberavon Quins v Rhymney
Abergavenny v Cwmllynfell
Ammanford v Furnace United
Bedlinog v Pembroke
Bettws (Newport) v Blackwood
Blackwood Stars v Ynysybwl
Blaenavon v Dolgellau
Bonymaen v Dunvant
BP Llandarcy v Penclawdd
Bryncethin v Aberystwyth
Brynamman v Cwmbran
Carmarthen Athletic v Brecon
Cefn Cribbwr v Cardigan
Colwyn Bay v Loughor
Corus v Llangwm
Cowbridge v Newport Saracens
Crumlin v Caerphilly
Felinfoel v Ruthin
Glais v Llantrisant
Glynneath v Penarth
Gwernyfed v Fleur de Lys
Hartridge v Rumney
Haverfordwest v Builth Wells
Llangennech v Llandaff North
Llantwit Fardre v Old Illtydians
Llanybydder v Llanishen
Maesteg Celtic v Gilfach Goch
Morriston v Glyncorrwg
Mountain Ash v Briton Ferry
Mumbles v Merthyr
Narberth v Nelson
Newbridge v Pontypool
Newport HSOB v Pencoed
New Tredegar v Penallta
Pontyberem v Blaengarw
Pontypool United v Bridgend Athletic
Porthcawl v Nantyffyllon
Pyle v Llanharan
Rhydyfelin v Beddau
St Joseph’s v Kidwelly
St Peter’s v Tonmawr
Taffs Well v Tondu
Taibach v Carmarthen Quins
Tredegar v Fairwater
Tredegar Ironsides v Cambrian Welfare
Tylorstown v Bargoed
UWIC v Kenfig Hill
Waunarlwydd v Cardiff Medicals
Whitland v Crymych
Ystrad Rhondda v Aberdare
