Ebbw supporters went away from Church Bank far from happy with the WRU’s decision to play the showpiece cup final of semi-pro rugby in Wales on a Thursday night and not to play it at a neutral Principality Stadium.
They were disgruntled that the lower level Premiership, Championship and Division One Cup finals were to be played at the Principality Stadium on Saturday April 5 but the higher profile SRC final on a ground that greatly favoured one side.
There were moans that Pontypridd – Cross Keys, Llanelli Wanderers – Tondu, Bridgend Athletic – Caernarfon would be having their week end at the Principality whilst Llandovery and Ebbw Vale players – and supporters – were denied the lifetime chance of being at Wales’s national stadium.
“The game should have been be played at the Principality Stadium. The WRU have made this cup competition a Mickey Mouse cup.” said Tony Parker.
Lyndon Evans added:
“Why is this cup final on a Thursday night at Llandovery’s home ground?”
“The WRU cup final was always special and either played at the national stadium or neutral ground so why has Llandovery got the benefit of home advantage and why is it held on a Thursday night?”
“Surely a neutral venue such as Builth or Brecon or Merthyr on a Saturday afternoon would have been a fairer option and financially beneficial to both sides? Who dreamed this up?”
Even diehard Llandovery supporter Gerwyn Williams had some sympathy with Ebbw.
“If the WRU want to televise a game either in the league or cup, it needs to be changed to a Friday or Saturday. Thursday night is weird!”
Club Chairman Peter Rees commented:
“I agree and that is an option that the clubs have proposed for 2025-2026 but the Union don’t have any say on the matter as the TV dictates it (sic) to them.”
“The only option currently may be that the clubs try to persuade the WRU NOT (sic) to try to get it on any form of TV but that would be to the disadvantage of club sponsorship”
