National Youth Bowl Round One:

 
 

Llangwm 24 - Waunarlwydd 5

 
Date: 15 October 2022
Venue: Pill Parks
Referee: Dan Tompkins (Llangrannog)
 
Llangwm progressed to the second round of the National Youth Bowl but not until they had had to dig deep to overcome a gritty Waunarlwydd team. The large crowd was treated to a competitive contest and no shortage of eye-catching rugby despite the gale force wind blowing across Pill Parks.
 

Fierce first-half stalemate

 
As the half-time whistle blew, the teams were locked in a 0-0 stalemate. However, the score failed to reflect the endeavour of both teams to play open rugby in tough conditions. What the score did reflect was the ‘body on the line’ defensive effort of the players.
 
With the wind at their backs, Waunarlwydd probed away as outside half Harrison Lloyd sought to gain good field position. Harry Abazi and Jake Riordan carried effectively as they did throughout the game, but the defensive commitment, led by Ieuan Gray, Sam Rickwood, Flynn Tjoonk and as ever Aaron John, ensured there were no clear cut scoring opportunities.
 
Llangwm looked to their forwards to carry into the wind, with skipper Arwyn O’Loughlin, Joe Phillips, Seth Willington and Aled Rogers prominent. Gray made a typically robust burst, making 40 yards and threatening to break the deadlock but Lewis Wellsby made the tackle to nullify the attack.
 

Players see red just before half-time

 
On the half hour mark Lloyd missed a shot at goal and a minute later Llangwm also missed the chance to take the lead as the kick drifted wide. But if anyone thought the half would fizzle out they would be proved wrong. Waunarlwydd sped up field into Llangwm’s 22 and looked threatening. However, referee Dan Tompkins, who controlled the game well throughout, spotted a fracas between Charlie Wilson and Euan Riley, both players being shown a red card.
 
This prompted a major reshuffle in the Llangwm ranks, with Dom Asson moving to hooker and Tjoonk to the wing, Asson putting in an excellent performance in an unfamiliar position.



 

Llangwm grab initiative early in second half

 
With the wind in their favour Llangwm came out for the second half with real purpose. But it was Waunarlwydd who quickly worked their way into a dangerous attacking position. Their forwards put them on the front foot ten yards out but Lloyd Stephens read the play brilliantly to intercept and charge 40 yards up the field. This set up good field position from which the ever dangerous scrum half Ioan Hawkridge-Jones sniped away down the blindside, Ieuan Gray providing the scoring pass to Tjoonk who crashed over in the corner.
 
Five minutes later Llangwm stretched their lead when they turned the ball over in the Waunarlwydd 22. Rickwood stole away from the defence putting Hawkridge-Jones under the posts for a deserved try. Iwan Davies, who put in a good performance at fullback, converted to give Llangwm a 12-0 advantage.
 
Soon after Llangwm found themselves down to 13 men as Joe Phillips received a yellow card for retaliation. Waunarlwydd set up good field position and secured good possession from the impressive lineout work of Jac Meredith. A typical blindside burst from the excellent Rhydian Payne put fullback Cai Rees away. Rees still had three defenders to beat but he showed a superb turn of foot to dive in wide out and deservedly put his team on the board.
 

Llangwm pull away late on

 
Soon after numbers were again even as the referee issued a yellow card to Harrison Lloyd for a tip tackle. Llangwm eyed the opportunity to put the game to bed, applying increasing pressure on their opponents who, chasing the game, valiantly sought to run the ball out of defence. Harry Makepeace, who threatened throughout, read the play, grabbing an interception try, Fletcher Picton converting.
 
As the game entered stoppage time the outcome was not in doubt. But there was still time for Llangwm to score the try of the match. Replacement Lucas Chamberlain made a superb break up field, Iwan Davies nearly going in at the corner. Llangwm maintained the pressure and from the final play of the game Owen Phelps, who had come on and slotted in at outside half, took the ball to the defensive line and slipped a sublime pass to send Picton through the gap. Despite having four defenders to beat, Picton glided past them to score out wide and put the seal on an excellent victory for his team.
 
So Llangwm go into the hat for round two with hopes of a good cup run. Whilst Waunarlwydd exit the competition they returned home with great credit for their part in an excellent advert for youth rugby.
 
Llangwm: Charlie Wilson, Lloyd Stephens, Aled Rogers, Seth Willington, Arwyn O’Loughlin (c), Sam Rickwood, Flynn Tjoonk, Joe Phillips, Ioan Hawkridge-Jones, Harry Makepeace, Dom Asson, Fletcher Picton, Ieuan Gray, Aaron John, Iwan Davies.
Replacements: Matthew Cole, Owen Phelps, Jake Thomas, Alfie Elrick, Lucas Chamberlain
Coaches: Dafydd Bowen & Geoff Asson.
 
Waunarlwydd: Joe Wright, James Thomas, Charlie Williams (c), Jac Meredith, Nathan Weimers, Harvey Thomas, Euan Riley, Harry Abazi, Rhydian Payne, Harrison Lloyd, Aidan Wilkinson, Jake Riordan, Lewis Wellsby, Josh Hopkins, Cai Rees.
Replacements: Ethan Rees, Gruff Evans, Kyle Ramsay, Ollie Simpson.
Coaches: Andrew Gore & Mike Leonard.