Rugby Youth Cup Final - Preseli Power pays off
Cardigan Youth 3 - Crymych Youth 26
Venue: The Moors, Fishguard
Referee: Chris Oliver
Assistant Referees: Alaric Churchill and Eirian Edwards
Cardigan Youth completed the double of league and youth cup as they proved too powerful for a gritty Cardigan Youth team which deserved every credit for playing a big part in one of the best cup finals for many years.
It was played at a frantic pace, with big tackles and action aplenty, but always within the rules as there wasn’t a single yellow or red card awarded by referee Chris Oliver, and real sportsmanship from such strong rivals.
Preseli Men edge power battle
The Preseli Men held the edge in forward power as their front row of Ifan James, Ifan Phillips and Mathew House held sway in the tight and the back row of Dan Griffiths, Osian Phillips and the outstanding Alex Humfrey at No 8 featured strongly in their battle plan. Dion Gibby and Luke Freebury also did well in the linesout, assisted by the ubiquitous Humfrey.
Cardigan captain Sion Jones led a brave rearguard action alongside Aled Richards and Tomos Powell but the writing was already on the wall at half time at The Moors, Fishguard, as Crymych led 12-3, having controlled much of the play, and with second-half use of the breeze.
Phillips pounces for two tries
Livewire hooker Ifan Phillips, the son of coach and former Welsh hooker Kevin, opened the scoring for Crymych after Humfrey had carried the ball into the danger area and from the ensuing lineout a surge by their pack saw Phillips emerge over the line with the ball.
Other strong attacks led by Carwyn James and skipper Amir Jiwa Walji were repelled by excellent defence from Cardigan and the Teifisiders reduced the deficit with a well-struck penalty from scrum half Luke Rogers.
But they conceded a second try, again claimed by hooker Phillips as reward for his all-action support play, converted by centre Sion Jones near the interval.
Slow second half start for Cardis
Crymych claimed three points straight after the oranges when a dropped ball from the kick-off saw Crymych awarded a simple penalty which centre Sion Jones kicked before adding another three points when powerhouse flanker Osian Phillips burst 50 metres out of defence but was halted just short.
Thomas landed an excellent third penalty from long range to make victory a certainty and No 8 Humfrey rounded off a superb display, which saw him adjudged man of the match, when he scored the final try of a match which was a credit to both teams and their coaches.
The trophies were presented by John Colley (Pembroke) the chairman of Pembrokeshire Youth Rugby, ably assisted by Wendy Goldsworthy of sponsors Dragon LNG, who presented the special award to man of the match Alex Humfrey, who chosen by Bill Carne.
Cardigan Youth: Alun Jenkins: Cory Williams; Dafydd Williams; David Purnell; Dylan Davies: Sion Edwards; Luke Rogers: Will Bryce; Aled Richards; Eirwyn Owens: Tomos Powell; Ellis Evans: Osian Rees; Sean Owens; Sion Jones (Capt). Replacements: Josh Davies; Jac Barnes; Jack Evans; Huw Williams; Jack Horgan; Sion James; Jamie Morgan.
Coaches and team manager: Dyfed Edwards, Huw Davies and Brian Williams.
Crymych Youth: Guto Harries: Dylan Ladd; Amir Jiwa Walji; Sion Thomas; Aron Tomkinson: Carwyn James; Ilan Wyn Jones: Ifan James: Ifan Phillips; Mathew House: Luke Freebury; Dion Gibby: Osian Phillips; Dan Griffiths; Alex Humfrey. Replacements:
Tomos Evans; Dafydd Phillips; Gethin James; Steffan Howells; Tomos Davies; Dylan Phillips; Elgan Wilson; Dylan Thomas; Owen Edwards; Matthew Roebuck; Arwel Davies. Coaches and team manager: Kevin Phillips, Tudor Harries and Gary Phillips.
PHOTOS:
The delighted Crymych team celebrate victory
A gritty Cardigan Youth squad and coaches before the match
Referee Chris Oliver, who had a good game
Man of the match Alex Humfrey with Wendy Goldsworthy of sponsors Dragon LNG
Hookers all - Crymych coach and former Neath and Wales captain Kevin Phillips with sons Ifan and Dafydd, both hookers like dad!
Two-try Ifan Phillips and skipper Amir Jiwa Walji meet Wendy Goldsworth of Dragon LNG