Extra ball ruins magic of the Cup

Even for the much-lambasted Welsh Rugby Union, this was a low-point. The scene was the BBC studios in Cardiff, the station was Radio Wales and the live draw was for the fifth round of the Principality Cup, the final step for the small clubs before the entrance of the Premiership giants, including Cardiff, Llanelli and Swansea.

It got off to a bad start. "Carmarthen Athletic", the legendary Welsh wing Gerald Davies announced, would play Pontypool, a plum draw for Athletic especially as they had been knocked out by Maesteg three days earlier. Cue muffled whispers, before the bemused listeners heard a voice saying: "That must be Carmarthen Quins." Undaunted, they carried on until Brynmawr were picked out to play, "Carmarthen Quins". Again they ploughed on but when the draw was complete there was still one ball left in the bag, bearing the name of Cwmavon. A hasty bit of ball-juggling and the fixture list was announced in full, with Cwmavon playing Pontypool.

Brynmawr, incensed at the injustice of it all, especially as they would have to make the 150-mile round trip to Carmarthen, demanded a redraw. The WRU refused to budge, Brynmawr withdrew from the competition and Cwmavon called an emergency meeting for last night to see if they would do likewise. Ah, the magic of the Cup.