National Youth Bowl – Quarter-final:

 



 

Young Wasps edge out Dolgellau to reach Bowl Semi-Final

 

Dolgellau 11 - Llangwm 15

 
The Llangwm Youth squad returned from the long trip to Dolgellau having secured a semi-final spot in the National Youth Bowl as reward for victory in a tense, compelling cup tie. The jubilant young Wasps were urged on by the large travelling support, which outnumbered the home supporters, despite the six-hour round trip.
 

Dolgellau make strong start

 
It was Dolgellau who made the better start and held dominance in the opening 20 minutes as Llangwm struggled to settle and home outside half Morgan Yorke gave his team the lead after three minutes with a short-range penalty kick.
 
The Dolgellau pack showed excellent ball retention as they regularly established a platform in Llangwm territory. Second row Owen Davies, who was prominent throughout, carried the ball very effectively with outstanding scrum half Mathew Jones directing the attacks and posing a constant threat.
 
On the 20 minute mark Dolgellau extended their lead to 8 – 0. Referee Cai Lewis, who controlled the game very well, lost patience with Llangwm as they sought to halt another series of forward drives alongside a touchline burst from dangerous winger Finn Bickell. From a quick tap a series of short thrusts finally saw No. 8 Robin Evans crash over in the corner, with Yorke just wide with the conversion attempt.




 

Wasps start to fightback

 
That score seemed to sting Llangwm into action as they started to use their scrum dominance and key ball carriers to build a period of pressure. The front row of Aled Rogers, Seb McIntosh and Charlie Wilson established total scrum dominance as well as carrying the ball effectively.
 
Skipper Arwyn O’Loughlin, second row partner Seth Willington and No. 8 Joe Phillips all carried well whilst flankers Dom Asson and Sam Rickwood started to make a real impact in loose play.
 
After 28 minutes this forward platform led to a series of drives which had the home defence on the back foot, with scrum half Ioan Hawkridge-Jones spotting space on the blindside and feeding Fletcher Picton, who drew the defender and sent winger Iwan Davies over to make the score 8 – 5.
 
Five minutes later and on the stroke of half-time Llangwm took the lead as Dolgellau conceded a penalty 15 metres from their line, Hawkridge-Jones spotted an opportunity, taking a quick tap and crashing over at the posts despite the close attention of three defenders. Picton converted to give Llangwm an 8 – 12 half-time lead.




 

Tense second period follows

 
The second half proved to be incredibly competitive as possession and territory ebbed and flowed. Dolgellau started the half strongly, Llangwm regaining control but the home team refusing to throw in the towel.
 
Dolgellau struck first through Yorke with another successful penalty kick three minutes in to close the gap to a single point. Llangwm responded well and regularly established good field position as Owen Phelps controlled matters at 10, Ieuan Gray made some strong bursts through the centre, Aaron John was a constant threat from his wing berth and Liam Rees looked really solid at full back, constantly sending Dolgellau backwards with some telling kicks.
 
Midway through the half Llangwm created the opportunity to put the result beyond doubt. Replacements Kieran Sinclair, Flynn Tjoonk, Harry Makepeace and Fergus Reynolds all made an impact and were central to Llangwm’s regular incursions to the Dolgellau 22.
 
Pressure told with Llangwm winning a series of penalties. Picton struck the post with one attempt and the ball was adjudged to have been knocked on over the try line as a further score remained elusive. With 10 minutes to go Picton extended the lead to 11-15 with a penalty kick but Dolgellau were not done.



 

Llangwm defence stays strong

 
They threw everything at their opponents but were unable to find that crucial score as the Llangwm defence remained resolute. Yorke was just wide with a drop goal attempt and then in the dying minutes understandably turned down an easy three-pointer to kick to the corner.
 
But this was to be Llangwm’s day as the forwards smuggled the ball back, broke downfield and won a final scrum in the Dolgellau 22. Seconds later the ball went into touch and the final whistle sounded to a roar of delight from players, coaches and supporters alike.
 
Coaches Dafydd Bowen, Geoff Asson and Jon Whitticombe were rightly delighted with and proud of the character shown by the squad. Dafydd said after the final whistle, ‘We didn’t make it easy for ourselves but to come away from home and grab the win is a great reflection of the character and commitment of the boys. I have to say the level of support was incredible and just shows what this cup run means to the club and village’.
 
Llangwm now go into the hat for the semi-final draw along with Bryncoch, Caerphilly and Mumbles with a place in the final at the Principality Stadium just one game away.
 
Llangwm Youth: Charlie Wilson, Seb McIntosh, Aled Rogers, Arwyn O’Loughlin (c), Seth Willington, Sam Rickwood, Dom Asson, Joe Phillips, Ioan Hawkridge-Jones, Owen Phelps, Aaron John, Fletcher Picton, Ieuan Gray, Iwan Davies, Liam Rees.
Replacements: Kieran Sinclair, Flynn Tjoonk, Jake Thomas, Matthew Cole, Harry Makepeace, Alfie Elrick, Fergus Reynolds
 
Dolgellau Youth: Rhodri Davies, Elis Williams, Aaron Lewis, Owen Davies, Harri Hughes, Moc Llywelyn, Jago Cartwright, Robin Evans, Mathew Jones, Morgan Yorke, Finn Bickell, Gruff Llywelyn, Dan Jones, Ifan Huw, Nick Slaney.
Replacements: Dyfan Pugh-Jones, Ellis Rogers, Kayden Heard, Daf Henblas, Hari Prys, Gweltaz Davalan, Huw Ifan, Llion Pritchard.






 
 

Welsh Youth Cup Quarter-final:

 

Young Otters suffer last-ditch heartbreak

 

Gorseinon 19 - Narberth Youth 14

 
Narberth youth travelled to Gorseinon on Saturday to play in the quarter final of the Welsh cup but after holding the lead for much of the match suffered late, late heartbreak as the home club conjured up a vital score to move into the last four and leave The Young Otters left to reflect on what might have been.
 
The Young Otters started strongly, with the majority of possession and territory and this resulted in a well-deserved try for the alert Elliot Evans, converted by Jack Perrins.
 
Against the run of play Gorseinon then scored a long-distance try following a Narberth knock on and that was all the scoring in the first half with it standing at 7-5 to Narberth before the home team came out strongly after the break and scored a fine try which was converted.
 
But with 10 minutes to go a period of sustained pressure saw outstanding centre Brad Cramb crash over for a great try, again converted by Jack Perkins. As the clock ticked down the Narberth supporters were starting to believe in a famous victory but with a minute to go Gowerton conjured up a try to make the final score 19 -14.
 
The Narberth players, while obviously devastated, could hold their heads high for a committed performance in a game of high skill, commitment and pace that entertained a large crowd. There were outstanding performances from classy full back Jack Perrins, the tireless Yori Morgan and Iestyn Comey. The Narberth man of the match went to hard running centre Brad Cramb.
 
Narberth: Jack Perrins, Dan Jones, Archie Vallance, Brad Cramb, Max Morgan, Shay Norcross, Elliot Evans, Kyle Day, Yori Morgan, Wil Nicholas, Harry Harries, Iestyn Comey, Joel Davies, Callum Levitt, James Morgan. Replacements:  Rhydian Jones, Ollie Hough, Harry Williams, Lewis Reed, Jayden Scourfield, Owain Holgate, Owain Thomas, Rob Ayres, Ben Davies.
 
 

WRU Plate - Quarter-final:

 

Crymych go close but concede vital late points

 

Bargoed 28 - Crymych 19

 
Crymych finally missed out in their quest for a semi-final spot against a powerful Bargoed side after a brave fight-back saw them trail by just 21-19 but in the latter stages they faced tremendous pressure and a late converted Bargoed try saw them into the last four instead.
 
The Crymych Youth plans were somewhat hindered as heavy traffic on the long journey east saw a delayed start but they showed their resilience after going five points down early on – as great work up front earned them four kickable penalties that were successfully landed by Owain Davies.
 
Bargoed could only muster a single penalty of their own to trail 8-12 at half time, with some excellent defensive work and good discipline keeping Crymych very much in the game.
 
But Bargoed managed to raise their game a notch in the third quarter and they were rewarded with two more tries to help them to a  21-12 lead – but then Crymych produced their own period of pressure from which a good pick up and drive by skipper Iestyn Woof, converted by Owain Davies, saw them just two points in arrears.
 
Unfortunately it was to prove the last score for the Crymych youngsters and a late seven-pointer for Bargoed saw them stay in the competition – but Crymych Youth gave their all and their coaches and families were extremely proud of their yeoman efforts.
 
Crymych: Ellis James: Hedd George; Deian Davies; Owain Davies; Charlie Fenn: Gruff Edwards; Iori Lewis: Kyle Kempson; Rhys Jones; Richard Phillips: Ptolemy Alleyne; Steffan Morris: Aneirin Vaughan; Jac Delaney; Iestyn Wood (Captain). Replacements: Dyfrig Dellar; Huw Reed; Kian Morris; Ifan Vaughan; Luke Allsworth; Ashton De’Ath; Cai Phillips.
 
 

WRU Bowl – Quarter Final:

 

Borderers miss out in second half

 

Mumbles 26 - Whitland 19

 
Whitland Youth looked destined for a place in the semi-finals of the WRU Youth Bowl Final as they opened up a deserved 19-7 lead over Mumbles and seemed ready to overcome the challenge of being without a couple of key players – but then injuries to three players in that second period saw them bow out of the competition.
 
As head coach Shane Williams told PembrokeshireSport.co.uk
“We are not looking to make excuses because those who stepped in prior to the game were fantastic and so were the replacements who came on for No 8 Tecwyn Thomas, flanker Toby Rees and Ethan Sapsford but the reorganisation inevitably meant we lost our shape for a while.
 
“Of course we are disappointed but I am very proud of all the players for their total commitment – and their families for their wonderful support.”
 
Mumbles showed their power up front early on and they had a useful back row and pacy wingers – but The Young Borderers weathered any potential storms and took the lead midway through the half as they spurned a kickable penalty chance when scrum half Morgan Williams spotted a gap and sniped through for Lennon Reynolds to add a good conversion.
 
The home side fought back with a converted try to level matters but Whitland hit back with the try of the match as Tom Monk, Jack Howells, Tecwyn Thomas and the rest set up a series of drives and then No 9 Williams set his backs in motion and quick hands from the Lennon twins and skipper Monty Milton created just enough for winger Ieuan Hill to cross in the corner.
 
And then Jack Worthing gave Whitland a real boost close to half time as a series of rucks saw him with the ball in hand five metres out and there is no stopping the powerful prop from there – and Lennon Reynolds conversion was the icing on the cake.
 
But sadly things started to go awry after the interval as the injuries mounted up and a yellow card saw them reduced to 14 men for ten minutes – and although the visitors never gave up trying until the final whistle they conceded three more ties, two of them converted – and The Young Borderers were out of the competition!
 
Whitland: Luke Owen: Ethan Sapsford; Monty Milton (Capt); Tyler Reynolds; Ieuan Hill: Lennon Reynolds; Morgan Williams: Tom Monk; Dan Howells; Jack Worthing: Ethan Ryan; Jack Jenkins: Joshua Clarke; Toby Rees; Tecwyn Thomas. Replacements: Harrison Lloyd; Aeron Williams; Lewis Jones; Rhys Mayes; Jake Williams.
 
 

Youth League Rugby:

 

Aber too strong for battling Blues

 

Aberystwyth Youth 48 - Haverfordwest Youth 14

 
Haverfordwest made the long journey to Aberystwyth to make sure they continue to honour their fixtures but found it hard going against a strong home side who used their forward power and pacy backs to good effect in scoring nine tries.
 
But The Young Blues deserve immense credit for battling until the final whistle and claimed two good tries from Kieran Harries and Iestyn Dobe, both converted by Ashton O’Riorden.
 
Leading the way for Aber was Gerwyn Jones, who scored four of their tries alongside others for Ifan Davies (2), Leo Davies and Ieuan Breeze, two of them converted by Euros Lloyd.