Youth Rugby:

 

Haverfordwest Youth 8 - Llangwm Youth 18

 
As well as the Bishop Cup game between Haverfordwest and Llangwm the large crowd already gathered in anticipation were rewarded as they were treated to a smashing starter course as the club’s respective youth teams served up an entertaining tussle which was eventually won by The Young Wasps.
 
This local derby was inevitably hard and uncompromising but showed the high skill levels that exist in both camps and the experienced refereeing of Dave Byrne also played a part.
 
Both teams have a mix of experienced players and younger boys breaking through, like the Young Blues’ try scorer Ashton Doyle, coming off the bench and in his first match after moving up from the under 16s marked it with their late unconverted try.
 
Llangwm Youth have experienced campaigners in skipper Arwyn O’Loughlin and prop Charlie Wilson as ball carriers alongside a lively back row in Seth Willington, Dom Asson and Sam Rickwood, with scrum half Ioan Hawkridge-Jones snapping at their heels and making sure there was a good link between forwards and a back division where centres Fletcher Picton and Iwan Davies, plus full back Harry Makepeace, posed a real threat in attack.
 
The first half was inevitably tight as defences were on top, with Haverfordwest having to opt for uncontested scrums from the outset – and Llangwm led 6-3 at half time after Picton had landed two penalties for Llangwm and flanker Logun Young had slotted one three-pointer in reply as he caught the eye alongside Arnold, Gabriel Thicker and young full back Ashton O’Riordan, so the scoreline just about reflected the balance of play.
 
But then The Young Wasps utilised their pack power as Aled Rogers, Lloyd Stephens and Jake Thomas also played well and from sustained pressure it was centre Picton who sidestepped his way to the posts for a try which he also converted.
 
Then skipper O’Loughlin powered his way over for an unconverted try but it is to The Young Blues’ credit that they refused to submit and Doyle was on hand to claim the touch-down after a clever little dink through by No 10 Arnold.
 
It still meant that Llangwm were deserved winners, however, which will have pleased coaches Daf Bowen, Geoff Asson and Jon Whitticombe – but opposite numbers Steve Parry and Andrew Thicker can also take plenty of positives from what is now hoped will become an annual Boxing Day youth clash alongside the Bishop Cup match afterwards!
 
Haverfordwest Youth: Ashton O’Riorden: Kiran Mason; Iestyn Doble; Gabriel Thicker; Huw Evans: Iestyn Arnold (Capt); Isaac Kelso-Jones: Teifion Owen; Owain Morris; Ollie Copeland: Jamie Phillips; Sam Simms: Max Rozblat; Logun Young; Jack hale. Replacements: Iori Curtis; Meirion Thomas; Ashton Doyle; Tom James; Alfie Keogh; Leon Gainfort; Evan Curtis; Finlay Picton.
 
Llangwm Youth:  Harry Makepeace: Flynn Tjoonk; Iwan Davies; Fletcher Picton; Alfie Elrick: Liam Rees; Ioan Hawkridge-Jones: Aled Rogers; Lloyd Stephens; Charlie Wilson: Arwyn O’Loughlin (capt); Jake Thomas: Seth Willington; Dom Asson; Sam Rickwood.
 
Replacements: Matthew Cole; Kieran Sinclair.