Mike Fry Cup Final:
Pembroke Under 17s 35 - Haverfordwest U 17s 20
Referee: Andrew Thompson
Venue: Heywood Lane, Tenby
Pembroke’s talented under 17 players were deserved winners of the Mike Fry Cup as they fended off a strong challenge from their Haverfordwest counterparts to receive the trophy from Mrs Jo Fry, the widow of Mike, who did so much to promote the game at junior and youth levels.
Mike was also a very influential figure at his home club of Tenby United so it is a fitting tribute to his memory that the final is always played at Heywood Lane – and these two very good teams served up a terrific action-packed match that would have pleased him – and had county youth organiser Ken Davies and a very large crowd enthusing about the quality of play served up.
“In the final analysis it was Pembroke who took their chances better,” Ken told PembrokeshireSport.co.uk “but Haverfordwest joined them in showing the way that good coaching, allied to commitment from the players, pays dividends in this cracking contest, which helps bridge the gap between the under 16s and full youth competition.”
Young Scarlets make the brighter start
The Young Scarlets made the brighter start as forwards like Max Boswell, Tommy Oakley, Danny Davies and Deryn Williams ensured good possession in the set-pieces and the back row of George Jones, skipper Rhydian Eynon and especially No 8 Zac Show linked well with half backs Josh Greenwood and Bowyn Clark.They opened up a 13-0 lead as full back Keanu Williams showed his pace to cross the whitewash and big second row Boswell ploughed over – and No 10 Clark slotted a penalty.
It says a great deal for The Young Blues’ determination that they fought back well, with Teifion Owen, Iori Curtis and Evan Morgan tackling well alongside Jack Hale, Logun Young and Kieran Harries, Max Rozblat and Jamie Phillips so that Isaac Kelso-Jones and Ashton O’Riordan could come into play more and the latter slotted a penalty before Pembroke hit back with a try by hard-working prop Ethan Brown to lead 18-3 at the interval.
Young Blues battle back but Scarlets stay strong to win
Haverfordwest made by far the better start to the second half as Gabriel Thicker, Kiran Mason, Huw Evans and Rhys Kennard caught the eye before livewire hooker Iori Curtis claimed a try which O’Riordan converted to go with another nicely-conceived move that saw centre Iestyn Doble add the finishing touches to reduce the deficit to only three points.
But Pembroke responded in style with unconverted tries from centre Jack Nicholas and a second by classy full back Keanu Williams after good work by half backs Josh Greenwood and Bowyn Clark had created the space.Even then Haverfordwest refused to surrender and they clawed their way back as replacement Devin Williams scored an unconverted try but The Young Scarlets had the final word when hooker Danny Davies scored and Ashley Watkins added the extra points.
Young Scarlets’ skipper Rhydian Eynon collected the silverware from Mrs Jo Fry and No 10 Bowyn Clark received the man of the match award for his important part in a the final, with both teams receiving a metaphorical pat on the back from Ken Davies and everyone who turned out to watch such a cracking contest!
Pembroke (Squad): Josh Greenwood; Max Boswell; Tommy Oakley; Deryn Williams; Billy Jones; Ethan Brown; Danny Davies; George Jones; Rhydian Eynon; Jack Nicholas; Jak Nunn; Bowyn Clark; Alfie Brown; Iolo Williams; Tobi Pratt; Zac Shaw; Ashley Watkins; Logon Eaton; Kodi Bratcher; Gethin Owen Rickard; Keanu Williams.
Haverfordwest: Kiran Mason: Huw Evans; Iestyn Doble; Gabriel Thicker; Rhys Kennard; Ashton O’Riordan; Isaac Kelso-Jones: Teifion Owen; Iori Curtis; Evan Morgan: Max Rozblat; Jamie Phillips: Jack Hale; Logun Young: Kieran Harries. Replacements: Owain Morris; Ashton Doyle; Devin Williams; Leon Gainfort; Ollie Copeland; Rio Phillips; Sam Simms; Lewis Parry; Iolo Evans; George Williams.
