Crymych claim Youth Cup after excellent final

PHOTO:
2018 winners Crymych Youth

 

Youth Cup Final:

Crymych 21 - Whitland 17

Crymych Youth were worthy winners of an entertaining and hard-fought Youth Cup Final at Narberth where they fended off the yeoman challenge of their counterparts from Whitland in front of a good crowd of supporters from both camps.
 
The match was played at a furious pace and neither side yielded an inch but Crymych held an edge up front which proved decisive, with the back row of Dafydd Vaughan, Iwan Davies and Rhydian Howells always involved, despite the efforts of their opposite numbers in Rhodri Rees, Dylan Gibbie and especially Jack Richards in trying to negate their efforts.
 

Crymych edge first half scoring

 
Crymych half backs Ifan Davies and Harri Williams directed matters well, with Williams chosen as man of the match for the way that he directed matters, as well as kicking well, whilst Borderers’ full back Josh Davies is certainly one to watch, alongside brothers Gino and Antonio Setaro.
 
It was Harri Williams who opened the Crymych scoring with a penalty but Whitland took the initiative when Josh Davies made a lovely break from near half way to score a classy try which outside half Dan Evans converted.
 
But back came Crymych when some quick handling from a solid platform saw Sion Evans race through to the line and although Williams’ conversion was off target he soon made amends with his second penalty to give his team an 11-7 interval lead.
 

Tight second half

 
Crymych opened the second half scoring from a penalty try from a high tackle near the corner flag and this seven-point score seemed to have been decisive but The Borderers are made of stern stuff under coaches Domenico Setaro and Phil ‘Stretch’ Morgan but after Dan Evans and Harri Williams exchanged penalties they claimed a quality try by Gina Setaro from an outside break, which Evans goaled.
 
It set up a tense finale where both teams battled hard for another vital score but defences stood on top and so it was Crymych who prevailed, despite Whitland’s valiant efforts – and gave long-serving coaches Kevin Phillips and Tudor Harries another trophy to tuck under their belts!
 
Crymych: Rhodri George: Dafydd Griffiths; Ilan Phillips; Sion Evans; Hedd James: Harri Williams; Ifan Davies: Morgan James; Lee Griffiths; Math Scott: Matthew Freebury; Morgan Davies: Dafydd Vaughan; Iwan Davies; Rhydian Howells. Replacements:Eilydd George; Steffan Rees; Osian Davies; Med Bennett; Sion Lewis; Owen Rogers.
Coaches: Kevin Phillips & Tudor Harries
 
Whitland: Josh Davies: Seb Howells; Jack Howells; Gino Setaro; Antonio Setaro: Dan Evans; Jack Flanagan: Lewis Jones; Iwan Lewis; Sion Thomas: Sion Benjamin; Geraint McCoan: Rhodri Rees; Dylan Gibbie; Jack Richards. Replacements: Harry Worthing; James Goodwin; Blue Paisley; Jordan Evans.
Coaches: Domenico Setaro & Phil Morgan