SWALEC Cup gives penalties a miss

The Welsh Rugby Union's oldest trophy is up for grabs in the fifth final between these sides since the WRU Challenge Cup was resurrected in 1971, and tournament rules say if 100 minutes of rugby can't split the old rivals then they aren't to be split.

The laws on the subject are published annually in the official WRU handbook, and if scores are level at full time, the match will go to 20 mins of extra time then, if the number of tries scored and then converted tries are level, in the final the trophy will be shared - at the semi-final stage, when a winner must be found, the game would be replayed.

The SWALEC Cup has, to date, never been shared, but the last final to be drawn at the end of normal time involved a 1987 Cardiff side led by international hooker Alan Phillips.

The current Wales national team manager oversaw a Mike Rayer extra-time drop goal which defeated a Swansea side, with current Blues head coach David Young featuring in the front row, by 16-15.

Five years earlier Phillips also played in another 'drawn' final. His Cardiff team were holding Bridgend at 12-12 on the final whistle, but were awarded the trophy due to superior try-count.

"The penalty shoot out at the weekend was tough on everyone, I know there has to be a winner, but it just didn't feel like a good way to win or lose," said Phillips. "I've been involved in a couple of finals that ended in draws after 80 minutes and as a player you just want it all to be sorted out on the pitch.

"In 1987 I remember we pushed Gerald Cordle over for a try, but Kevin Hopkins crossed for them and you couldn't separate us and we finished normal time at 9-9. Mike dropped a goal in extra time and that was a great way to win, it had all the drama of a penalty shoot out and maybe the answer is just to keep playing until someone can do something special like that.

"In '82 an Ian Eidman try was the difference for us and it meant we could settle the game in normal time, but I have great memories of many games in this competition. It is steeped in history and tradition and, certainly when I was playing, this was the cup you wanted to win. It was held in high esteem by the players and was the silverware that meant you were the best team on your day, it was the true measure of success.

"There are the names of some great club sides etched on that trophy and you won't have to tell the likes of Llanelli and Neath about that either, both teams have a rich history in the Cup and they won't want to be sharing it after the final whistle on Saturday."

If you ever wondered just how big a game the SWALEC Cup final is between Neath and Llanelli then you just need to look into the record books.

It was fitting that Wales' oldest top flight club, Neath, should win the first title by beating the Scarlets in 1972. Since then they have shared the honours and are currently tied at two wins each in the finals.

In the late eighties and early nineties Neath and Llanelli ruled the roost in Welsh rugby, winning the cup six times in a row between them between 1988-1993. Neath also became the first winners of the Heineken national league crown in 1991, with Llanelli following suit in 1993.

In fact, it was Llanelli and Neath who graced the very first Swalec sponsored Cup Final in 1993, when 51,000 fans flocked to the Welsh capital to see the Scarlets make it three titles in a row.

But it was the epic struggles of 1988 and 1989 that really fired the imagination of the Welsh public as massive crowds turned up to see arguably the two best sides in the UK stand toe to toe.

Llanelli drew first blood with their 28-13 triumph in 1988 in front of 56,000 fans. The next year the Welsh All Blacks triumphed by a single point, 14-13. That game was witnessed by an even bigger crowd, 58,000.

Wales Under 20 coach Phil Davies was captain of the Llanelli side 20 years ago and found himself playing against the current WRU Chairman, David Pickering in the back row.

"Neath have done extremely well to book themselves in the final for the second year running and Llanelli have a rich pedigree in this competition so we should have quite a game on our hands," said Pickering.

"My loyalties will certainly be split having won the cup with both Llanelli (1985) and Neath so I will be celebrating whoever wins. I've played alongside some of the biggest stars in the game in this competition with the likes of Ray Gravell, JJ Williams and Phil Bennett in the Llanelli team and renowned Welsh All Blacks like Kevin Phillips and Brian Williams.

"The SWALEC Cup final at the Millennium Stadium is always a great day out for dedicated fans of Welsh rugby and both sides have the talent and ability to produce a spectacle on Saturday which is deserving of the proud history of this competition."

The Millennium Stadium will play host to both the Swalec Bowl and Swalec Plate final prior to the big kick-off between two of the club giants of Welsh rugby Rugby. Fans can be guaranteed four hours of action at the cathedral of Welsh rugby for as little as £15.

Lampeter Town and Morriston will contest the SWALEC Bowl final (KO 1pm). That will be followed by the SWALEC Plate final between Ammanford and Risca (KO 3.30pm).

Ticket prices are £15 for adults and £5 for juniors (under 16). All three games are covered by the one admission price and ticket. Spectators will be allowed to leave and re-enter the stadium throughout the day.

All tickets are to be general admission and are not specific seating. Tickets can be purchased from each of the six clubs involved in the finals or

Ticketmaster - 08705 582 582 or http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/search?tm_link=tm_homeA_header_search&q=millennium+stadium)

Ticketline (029 20 230130 or http://www.ticketlineuk.com/event/sporting-tickets

Tickets will also be available to purchase on the day of the event.