A festival of rugby at the County Junior Rugby Finals
*Please click on an image for squad lists and an enlarged image.
The Pembrokeshire and District Junior Rugby Finals took place in lovely weather at Haverfordwest Rugby Club and the huge crowds in attendance confirmed the fact that this is now rightly regarded as one the most prestigious events on the Pembrokeshire sporting calendar.
The first game started at 10am and play was still going on after 6pm on a special day superbly organised by Haverfordwest Rugby Club and the culmination of rugby at these age groups in the season that has seen well over 2,000 young boys and girls taking part.
The special day started in style with the reintroduction of the under 7 and under 8 tag rugby and the already-sizeable crowd was treated to a celebration of rugby skills that paid tribute to some excellent coaching from all the clubs who graced the tag rugby.
Under 7s Tag Rugby:
At under 7s the teams who participated were Cardigan, Fishguard and Goodwick, Neyland and Pembroke. All four showed great handling skills, were ready to run the ball at every opportunity and were mastering the skill of removing the tags attached to the shorts of every player in this non-contact version of the game. Organiser Ken Davies said,
“We are delighted by the turn-out and equally thrilled to see some lovely skills in an area of rugby that is all about the joy of playing a great game, rather than winning at all costs. There is no contact at such a young age and no scores recorded so there are no winners or losers – just willing participants.”
Ken also thanked Coastal Cottages and the other sponsors for their support, plus all the willing workers from Haverfordwest RFC, the match officials and the players, plus the families for turning out to support the players of all ages who made the day so special.
![](http://user.w3dynamics.co.uk/filemanager/Images/26/FullSize_U7s - Pembroke.JPG)
Under 8s Rugby:
![](http://user.w3dynamics.co.uk/filemanager/Images/26/FullSize_Llangwm U8s.PNG)
At under 8 level the improvement was evident in just one year as Fishguard & Goodwick, Llangwm, Narberth, St Davids and Pembroke Dock Harlequins enjoyed match-time aplenty and really played some wonderful stuff, with quick hands and excellent support play that had supporters enjoying all of the games, without the pressures of results.
Mike Fry, the chairman of the Pembrokeshire and District Junior Rugby Association since its inception 17 years ago, echoed the thoughts of Ken Davies and added,
”We simply want to see tag rugby played by boys and girls together, with the joy of taking part as the emphasis above competition.
“That’s why there is no competition winner and every participant receives exactly the same medal afterwards.”
![](http://user.w3dynamics.co.uk/filemanager/Images/26/FullSize_U8s - Fishguard.JPG)
Under 11s Final:
Fishguard & Goodwick 14 Tenby United 21
Referee: Charlie Watts
Tenby United played really well in the under 11s final as they resisted a strong challenge from Fishguard and Goodwick to win their first silverware in almost a decade.
The young Seasiders were 14-0 ahead at half time through good tries from Charlie Sangster and Lewis Morgan, both converted by Alex Wainwright as the young Seagulls had good runs from Ioan Davies and Gruff Williams.
Wainwright also converted Tenby's third try, scored by Dylan Hughes before Fishguard showed huge resilience to c
law their way into contention. They served notice of intent with a cracking run from Dylan Phillips and then had tries by Ioan Davies and Kieran King, both converted by Sam Styles, to set up a nervy finale before Tenby edged home.
Tenby's Lewis Morgan was adjudged man of the match and he received his award from Ospreys' player Sam Parry.
Under 12s Final:
Cardigan 29 Pembroke 5
Referee: Jason Summers
The match between Cardigan and Pembroke showed all that is good in under 12s rugby as both teams played handling rugby at pace.
The Teifisiders took the lead with a good try by Craig Morris, converted by Dafydd Davies, before they increased their advantage with a try from Oliver Leeming that went unconverted.
![](http://user.w3dynamics.co.uk/filemanager/Images/26/FullSize_U12s - Pembroke.jpg)
Callum Williams scored Cardigan's third try, converted by Davies, before Ewan Badham temporarily raised Pembroke hopes with an excellent unconverted try - but Cardigan added their fourth try by Callum Williams and then Williams completed an excellent victory with his third try.
It was fitting reward that Callum Williams was called up to earn the man of the match award presented by Sam Parry.
Under 13s Final:
Haverfordwest 17 Narberth 26
Referee: Chris Williams
Haverfordwest and Narberth were the finalists at under 13 level and produced action aplenty to entertain the large crowd as they were level 12-all at half time before the young Otters eased through in a terrific second half that had the crowd on its feet.
Lee Davies scored two tries and a conversion for the young Blues and Narberth responded with tries by Ivan Rees and Rhys Kemble alongside a Harri Harries conversion as they shared 24 points.
![](http://user.w3dynamics.co.uk/filemanager/Images/26/FullSize_U13s - Haverfordwest.jpg)
They were still locked together until Haverfordwest broke the deadlock with a try by Morgan Richards but it stung the young Otters into an almost immediate response as Ifan Rees raced over and Harri Harries converted. Leon Whalley also score a try to seal victory before Griff Evans was chosen as man of the match by sponsors Studio Nine and Narberth were good value for victory by 26-7. The match was a credit to both clubs, with Peter Morgan, the former British Lion, presenting the mementos and the man of the match award to Narberth’s Griff Evans.
Under 14s Final:
Crymych 46 Fishguard & Goodwick 0
Referee: Huw Jones
Crymych proved far too strong for a battling team from Fishguard and Goodwick but the junior Seagulls deserve every credit for the way that they stuck to their task against the reigning champions.
Indeed, William Delaney, Niall Phillips, Lewis Harley Davies and Robbie Jones all played well for Fishguard but Crymych
had greater strength in depth as Dion Phillips and Jac Davies controlled play as Guto Edwards, Iwan Llewellyn and Hedd James were good ball carriers.
The Teifisiders were 20-0 ahead at half time and ran in tries by Morgan Davies, Gethin Davies (2), Dion Phillips, Jon Hill, Alex Varney, Matt Iorwerth Scott and Joe Mansfield, whilst Rhodri Davies converted three of them.
Jon Hill received the man of the match award from Michael Fry, the chairman of the PDJRA, as reward for his dynamic play in the centre.
Under 15 Final:
Crymych 10 Narberth 14
Referee: Matthew Evans
At under 15 level there was a real battle royal as Crymych found themselves under pressure early by a Narberth outfit which played some powerful rugby, got on top in the first half and were good value for a 14-0 interval lead.
Tom Rossiter opened the scoring for the young Otters with a cracking try converted by Danny Wainwright, who also added the extra points when Mark Mathias did well to add a second score.
There was some excellent covering by Jack Tucker, Ceri Jones and especially Ryan Conbeer for Narberth before Crymych finally broke their points duck with an unconverted try by Liam Harries.
![](http://user.w3dynamics.co.uk/filemanager/Images/26/FullSize_U15s - Crymych.jpg)
Both teams had chances to advance their totals, with Crymych twice refusing easy kicks at goal despite being two scores adrift - and they were rewarded with a good try by Sion Evans.
Crymych tried desperately to snatch a winning late score but it was Narberth who were worthy winners of a cracking match in which the level of commitment in both camps was never in doubt.
The trophies were presented by Arthur Day and the man of the match was Narberth's Mark Mathias.
Under 16s Final:
Haverfordwest 41 Pembroke 12
Referee: Adrian Slade
Haverfordwest have dominated this age group for a while and they showed just why as they ran in seven tries against a gritty Pembroke team which never gave up trying and was rewarded with two excellent tries of their own to help make it an entertaining final final of a great day of junior rugby.
Jonathan Clout, Kyle Hamer and Dax Leggett were big ball winners for the young Blues as Elgan Roberts and Jake Davies looked to set their backs in motion. As a result, there were good tries from wingers Lewis Watts (3) and Callum Morris, centre George Hart and No 9 Roberts, plus a try from flanker Ieuan Bevan and three conversions by full back Dieter Thomas.
![](http://user.w3dynamics.co.uk/filemanager/Images/26/FullSize_U16s - Pembroke.jpg)
For the young Scarlets there were terrific work rate from their pack and some good tackling by Tom Kinnear, Jacob Knox and Elliott James as well as tries from flanker Jordan Evans and winger Fraser James, both converted by centre Jack Parkinson.
Haverfordwest winger Lewis Watts was chosen as man of the match and received his award from Paul Maggs.