The foul weather stopped Llandovery and the Quins from playing their second round Swalec Cup ties against Newbridge and Bedwas respectively, writes Huw S Thomas

Both games have yet to be re-arranged but it gives us time to reflect what the rest of the season might bring for both the Towy Valley sides.

The Drovers certainly have the most to look forward.

The Churh Bank outfit remain in with a chance of adding the Premiership title and Swalec Cup to the National Sevens title they won back in late August.

They have a well balanced pack with a solid front row, experienced second row and a lively back row but their strength lies in an exciting back division.

It has pace, guile and directness with some brilliant counter attackers in full back Will Thomas, scrum half Rhodri Davies and the multi-talented Lee Rees.

Llandovery are a side that need top of the ground conditions to show off their ambitious back play and it is no exaggeration to say that their chances of more honours will depend much on the weather.

Whereas sides like Ebbw Vale and Cross Keys will be hoping for more rain, Euros Evans, Simon Davies and Gareth Potter will be praying for an end of season drought.

Just seven points separate leaders Aberavon and sixth placed Cross Keys with Llandovery, Pontypridd, Ebbw Vale and Newport tucked in between.

Only three of these six sides can make the play offs so the rest of the season promises to be the most tense and exciting for years.

Ponty will be looking to claim a sixth successive title and are still the benchmark that everyone measures against.

But they have not been quite the force of the last five seasons.

They have already lost four games this season, in contrast to the five previous seasons when they suffered just one, five, one, seven and two defeats respectively.

This Saturday’s early kick off game at Church Bank between second placed Llandovery and third placed Pontypridd becomes a huge game for both clubs.

Other important games this Saturday see Newport entertain Aberavon, Cross Keys visit Bridgend and Ebbw Vale travel to Cardiff.

The Quins entertain Llanelli in a west Wales derby and although neither club has shone in the Premiership both have high hopes of a Swalec Cup run.

They have both shown better form since Christmas with the return of key players from injury, the Quins winning 30-12 at Newport and Llanelli walloping Cross Keys 48-22.

Ellis Lloyd, Shaun Jones and Ian Jones for the Quins, Steffan Hughes, Steffan Evans and Jonny Lewis for Llanelli have strengthened the cause.

Both clubs are capable of a good Swalec Cup cup run with the Quins having to play Bedwas at the Park and Llanelli facing Merthyr at Parc y Scarlets in games to be re-arranged in the very near future.

The Drovers will also be favourites to beat Newbridge and hopefully put all three Scarlet sides into the last eight.

The Quins also have the Challenge Cup to aim for after qualifying at the expense of Llandovery and Llanelli but the main focus of attention down west must be Llandovery’s attempt at the Triple Crown of National Sevens, Premiership and Swalec Cup titles.

Bookmaker odds of 12/1 to end up with all three trophies are a fair reflection of the task that lies ahead.