Pembrokeshire Schools’ U16s 20 - Rhymney Valley Schools’ U16s 0

 
Venue: Haverfordwest RFC
 
It was a happy Friday 13^th for the talented young rugby players from schools across Pembrokeshire who rounded off a terrific campaign in the Dewar Shield national competition by beating their counterparts from Rhymney Valley Schools to celebrate a terrific season by claiming 5^th place in the competition which was eventually won by Pontypridd Schools, writes Bill Carne.
 
To put it into perspective, Pembrokeshire had gone through the regional section of the competition with a 100% record as they beat Carmarthenshire , Mynydd Mawr, RGC, Ceredigion and Llanelli before unluckily missing out on a semi-final spot in a narrow defeat by Swansea (West) – but then regrouping to beat Newport Schools (away) and now this hard-fought but thoroughly deserved success over a gritty set of opponents in this Friday evening floodlit tussle at Merlins Bridge, Haverfordwest.



 

Huge determination shown by both committed teams

 
And not only did they overcome the heavy conditions to run in three quality tries they also kept a clean sheet after leading 5-0 at the interval and staying on top throughout a much more pacy second period where there was total commitment in both camps and some bone-jarring tackles showed the determination in front of an appreciative crowd.
 
Rhymney Valley showed early on that they were up for the contest as they won the majority of the early possession but the Pembs’ defence was sound as the back row of Llyr Mathias, Harvey Thomas and especially No 8 Sean Bolger put in some big tackles and the front row of Jamie Cogger, Rhys Lewis and skipper Ollie Tucker started to settle into their role, winning ball on the ground and providing the platform for No 10 Madoc Evans to set their pacy three-quarters like Dylan James and Iestyn Robb into action.



 

Daf darts through for classic first try

 
Will Diment and Iori Evans helped to gain ground as well and the county’s first score came after a series of raids saw winger Iestyn Robb, hooker Lewis and vice-captain Josh James involved in the clubhouse corner before Connor Wesley spread play right and a short midfield pass allowed centre Daf Williams to slice through from 35 metres without a hand being laid on him for a high-quality unconverted try.
 
Both teams had chances during the remainder of the half that turned out to be an arm-wrestle up front in the heavy conditions – and Pembs overdid the kicking for position a little because waiting at the back for Rhymney Valley was their outstanding Ellis Anderson, from Penallta, who caught every box-kick cleanly and used his guile and pace to counter-attack in conjunction with the supporting Dylan Cole, Liam Lawlor, Ben Ferris and skipper Harrison Flowers.
 
Pembs lost Llyr Mathias after 35 minutes and he was replaced in the back row by another experienced player in Caio Jones, who was typical of everyone on the county’s bench, who came on and made sure they gave the same total commitment as those who left the fray.



 

Smith shows his kicking ability – and Robb dives over in the corner

 
Pembs got off to a good start after the break as their forwards established a platform from which full back Nial Smith, who had another excellent game in attack and defence, landed a 40-metre penalty – and then pumped over a superb touchline conversion after Madoc Evans sent a high diagonal kick to the corner whilst playing with an advantage, with winger Robb squeezing in right at the corner flag.
 
One of the highlights in what became more and more of a forward battle arrived when Harvey Thomas, back in defence to pouch yet another high ball, sped fully 60 metres, with a sidestep and dummy thrown in (which he modestly told this correspondent afterwards was a slip in the mud!)
 
It was appropriate that Pembs had the final word as vice-skipper Josh James was again involved in the forward exchanges as he tidied up possession and gave the final pass for replacement winger Ollie Thomas to score in the corner.



 

Deserved high praise from coach Aled

 
So, Pembrokeshire Schools Under 16s finished an excellent season  on a high note and it has come as no surprise since to learn that 16 of the squad has been selected to play for Scarlets (West) in the new year.
 
As well as the players, the coaching staff also deserve a mention but it was typical of head coach Aled Waters as he told PembrokeshireSport.co.uk
“We have been blessed this season with a hugely talented squad who have linked that ability with total commitment. It has been a pleasure for us to be involved with them and they have shown real maturity when we have had the difficult decisions over who plays in each game because they all deserve selection.
 
“Their parents have also been amazing because they have accepted the selections we have made and given great support to their sons, home and away. A number of them are former quality players and their ability has clearly been passed on and some useful advice given to us in the best possible manner.
 
“It was a bitter-sweet time afterwards because no-one wanted to go home as everyone stood outside in the cold, chatting about how we will even miss the regular training sessions, where the players come from all over the county – but all of the squad deserve to go further in the game and we certainly wish them every success.”



 
Pembrokeshire Schools U 16s: Nial Smith: Iestyn Robb; Josh James; Daf Williams; Tyler James: Madoc Evans; Connor Wesley:  Jamie Cogger; Rhys Lewis; Ollie Tucker (Capt): Will Diment; Iori Evans: Harvey Thomas; Llyr Mathias; Sean Bolger. Replacements: Finn Bruins; Alfie Thomas; Ethan Lewis; Josh Slater; Ollie Thompson; Caio Jones; Lewis Davies;  Iestyn Preddy.
 
Rhymney Valley Schools U16s: Ellis Anderson: Max Marshall; Rowan Pashi; Aled Isaac; Dylan Cole: Liam Lawler; Fin Reynolds: Euan Fenton; Dylan Greening; Jacob Oliver: Ben Ferris; Kurtis Giles: Tyler Rees; Max Lundergan; Harrison Flowers (Capt). Replacements:  Gethin Ashman;  Ashton Bates; Louis Morgan; Fin Caldwell; Mason Harborough; Luke Roach;  Rhun Nighy.