The line-up for the semi-finals of the Malcolm Keenor Trophy is taking shape as two sides booked their place in the last four later this year, with the top two in Group B already decided with a match to play.

However, Group A is very tight going into the last round of fixtures as four sides can still qualify for the semis and all five are still in the running for at least a CDSA Plate last four spot. Caerphilly are the clear favourites to seal a place as they only need a single frame in their last match against Fairwater to guarantee a spot, but with the group winners playing the runners-up from the other group, there is still all to play for. Ben Griffiths’ side won a hard-fought 3-2 victory at Taff’s Well, who will now need to win their last match and hope the other result goes they way in order to qualify. The first frame went the distance with Justin Jones edging past Ian Denton, before Steffan Davies levelled the match after beating Rob Hayes in another close frame that went to the colours. Jimmy Llewellyn put Taff’s Well ahead as he defeated Allan Jones, but Caerphilly hit back with Nural Khan’s win over Kevin Brown and it was left to Dave Hartnell to win the decider on the blue against Rhys Carpenter, to leave the holders in control as they seek to defend their title.

Macky Misfits will have to settle for a CDSA Plate semi-final place despite a 3-2 win at Canton Warriors, as they’ve completed their four matches. Graeme Prance won a high-scoring opener against Mike Watts, before Simon Takata made it 1-1 with victory over Richard Duggan on the colours. Satinder Singh restored the Misfits’ lead as defeated Dave Richards, before Andy Holman won a close one versus William Eades to take it to a decider, but Bill Bainton held his nerve against Chris Johnson to leave the Warriors needing a win against Taff’s Well to give themselves a chance of a semi-final berth.

Group B is a lot clearer as both Rumney British Legion and Mackintosh Snooker are guaranteed a top-two place with a match remaining, with their contest against the Mack in a few weeks’ time deciding who will finish top. Rumney won 3-2 at Roath Cons, but had to come from behind as Lee Cornock won an entertaining first frame on the black against Andy McGill. Ethan Chichester levelled things for Rumney with victory over Chris Harding, before another black-ball frame saw Andrew Champion restore Roath’s lead after he beat Ben Harding and Frank Deriu’s win took the match to a decider. A high-scoring frame between Alan Wright and Paul Chichester was finally settled on the last few balls as Chichester won it to seal the victory for Rumney.

County Cons’ 3-2 defeat at home to Canton Libs means they have to settle for a last four spot in the Plate, as James Wigmore’s side won despite only having four players. Wins for Tony Chick over Suhayb Din and Ronnie Allen against Darren Gill gave them a 2-0 lead, before Rory Wigmore sealed the win after beating Dave Standage in a close frame. Ryan Bowgen pulled one back after his win against James Wigmore on the black, but a walkover frame for John Hicks leaves Canton battling it out with Roath for the other Plate spot.