Rugby Section - Dewar Shield Under 16s Competition:

 
 

Pembrokeshire 30 - Ceredigion 7

 
Pembrokeshire Schools’ talented under 15/16 rugby players maintained their impressive start to the regional matches in the National Dewar Shield competition as they fended off the challenge of a traditionally strong challenge from their counterparts in Ceredigion to gain their fourth win in as many matches.
 
Pembrokeshire had already accounted for Carmarthenshire (by 26-3) in their first match at Carmarthen Park before accounting for the combined Mynydd Mawr/Dinefwr team at Parc y Maes Ysgol Gwendraeth (20-18), and finally RGC (North Wales West) by 38-7 at Heywood Lane, Tenby before this equally impressive fourth fixture to set local pundits struggling to recall any time in the past when the cream of the county’s teenagers had provided such impressive early results.
 

More great play at Heywood Lane

 
Played in front of a large crowd at Heywood Lane, Tenby, the county squad maintained their momentum with the high skill levels, pacy play and total commitment promoted by head coach Aled Waters, Tom Meredith and Mikey Jones.
 
And they achieved this success despite an early set-back where they conceded an opening seven points after making a bright start but making a few basic errors through over-eagerness before they settled down. It lost them a good platform and Ceredigion showed they weren’t going to be a walk-over with a concerted counter-attack which ended at a well-controlled set-piece where visiting prop Iestyn Evans was powered over the line for centre Dafydd Nicholls to add the extra points.
 

County battle back after early reverse

 
But from then on there was strong coverage provided at the back by Iestyn Robb, Nial Smith and Ollie Thompson and good ball-winning by Ollie Tucker, Ethan Lewis, Fin Bruins and Alfie Thomas, which saw Pembrokeshire gain another platform for attack and after the Ceredigion pack had finally conceded a penalty it was home full back Niall Smith who slotted the three-pointer.
 
Pembrokeshire took a lead they were never to surrender as more good work up front by Harvey Thomas in the lineouts, plus excellent ball winning by a back row of Ciao Jones, Iori Thomas and especially Sean Bolger saw half backs Daf Killian, who has been a good find this season, and Madoc Evans take play into the corner and good tidying up by Ethan Lewis and skipper Ollie Tucker set up the platform for No 8 Iori Thomas to score a try converted by No 15 Niall Smith.
 
Play was very much nip and tuck as the game swung from end to end but No 10 Evans certainly helped as he called centres Daf Williams and Josh James into action and this duo set up a second score for the county as they spread play wide for winger Ollie Thomson to cross wide out – and help his team into a 15-7 lead.
 

Strong second half for county squad

 
Whatever coach Waters and his team said at the interval it certainly had its effect because their players showed excellent ball-retention and kept the pressure on a good Ceredigion side who always looked a threat with ball in hand.
 
But Pembrokeshire added a vital third try from 60 metres out as they set up several composed phases and finally a gap opened from which Nial Smith cut through for an unconverted try.
 
The overall strength of the county squad was emphasized as the bench was used and it made little difference to the quality of the home team’s performance as they stayed on top.
 
Smith also landed a second penalty and the county added a high-quality fourth try which stemmed from a typical break by Madoc Evans and the taking of the right options to keep play alive before strong-running centre Josh James claimed the vital final pass and sped to the line before Smith added the extra points.
 
It nicely rounded off that fourth victory and they now have to face old rivals Llanelli to round off the regional pool of matches – which will again be played at an away venue to be decided, on Friday evening, 18^th October.
 
Pembrokeshire Under 16s: Niall Smith: Iestyn Robb; Josh James; Daf Williams; Ollie Thompson: Madoc Evans; Daf Killian: Ollie Tucker (Capt); Ethan Lewis; Finn Bruins: Alfie Thomas; Harvey Thomas: Sean Bolger; Ciao Jones, Iori Thomas. Replacements:  Manny Davies, Josh Slater; Braydon Jones; Ianto Evans; Seth Walker; Connor Wolsey; Tylar James; Iestyn Preddy. Reserves: Will Diment; Alex Rigby Stock.