Posted by The Cardiff Blues development pathway could have two teams in the WRU College League Final, or none, as the season prepares for a dramatic conclusion after Christmas.
This week was meant to see the last round of games in the regular season, but postponements mean there are still five games to be played when the new term starts in January and they will have a huge impact on how the table looks once all games are completed.
As things stand it is Cardiff & Vale College/Cowbridge Comprehensive who sit top of the league, having bounced back from an opening round loss to Coleg y Cymoedd to win nine of their next 11 games.
A draw against Coleg Sir Gar was also an impressive result, but they may come to regret a low scoring 5-7 home loss against Coleg Gwent in November though. They are currently leading the way with 49 points, thanks to a large number of try bonus points, but have completed all 12 of their games.
The three teams below them all have at least one game in hand to be played next month and could all leapfrog them with wins, including reigning champions and fellow Cardiff Blues development pathway side Coleg y Cymoedd.
They are the team with the biggest part to play next month as they have two games in hand. One of those is away to Coleg Llandrillo, while the other is a real key game as they repeat the last seven College League Finals against Coleg Sir Gar.
Win both of those and the likelihood is that they will then finish top of the league and go into an eighth straight Final, but lose one, especially against Sir Gar, and Cymoedd may well lose the chance to defend their crown.
Coleg Gwent are the other side involved in the race for the Final, currently sitting third in the league and knowing that if they win their game-in-hand over Llandovery College at home then they are assured of a spot in the top two.
Elsewhere in the league Ysgol Glantaf and Whitchurch High have ensured that the Cardiff Blues development pathway will be the best performing of the regions at this level, with four of our top teams in at least the top seven and possibly the top six.
Ysgol Glantaf are assured of fifth place after a run of eight unbeaten games through the middle of the season pushed them close to contention for the top two, before a final day loss away at Sir Gar ended those outside hopes.
Whitchurch had a stop-start season but some big wins at key times have seen them rise to sixth as things stand, where they will stay if they beat Coleg Sir Benfro in their final games of the campaign after Christmas.
Another excellent season in the WRU College League which gets more exciting by the year and receives excellent exposure from S4C’s Rygbi Pawb.
For the Cardiff Blues development pathway it’s been a successful few months, but getting at least one team in the Final would be the icing on the cake.
Cardiff Rugby Life 