The 18th annual Pembrokeshire and District Junior Rugby Association’s Finals Day produced a veritable feat of rugby as ten matches were played, starting at 10am and finishing after 6.30pm. The talented under 7s from Neyland and Haverfordwest, plus the equally skillful under 8s of Tenby and Haverfordwest, started the day in style as they utilised half the pitch apiece and had the large crowd in attendance cheering them on. Great credit for the day’s success must go to long-time organiser Ken Davies and his superb assistant Sarah Hill, who had worked so hard post-match day to prepare a smashing programme, made sure that teams registered their squads on time and kept records of all the day’s events. BBC Radio Cymru presenter Andrew ‘Thommo’ Thomas braved the elements all day to keep everyone informed of what was going on. ‘Thommo’ never left pitch side and did a great voluntary job that helped create a terrific atmosphere for the young players to thrive on. The Pembrokeshire Referees Society officiated all the matches from under 11 upwards but host club Crymych provided refs and touch judges for the under 7s to under tens and all the match officials did a great job. As host club, Crymych again did a wonderful job, with the pitch looking in tip-top condition, the parking and entry to the ground as well organised as ever at Parc Lloyd Thomas, and the club’s ladies doing an amazing job of keeping everyone fed and watered on a cold and sometimes wet day. Parents, family and friends flocked to the ground and the players showed why their teams had reached the finals after winning their previous matches – and it was great to see such a range of clubs making it to such a splendid day which is a beacon light for other associations across Wales to try and emulate! ** All our splendid team pictures are curtesy of Cefin Vaughan Photography and loads more are available for sale very reasonably on his web site.**
Neyland 3 tries Haverfordwest 7 tries Referee: Gareth Bryan Assistants: Mark Deller & Gary Davies (all Crymych) The talented young players of Neyland and Haverfordwest got Junior Finals Day off to a terrific start as they played their tag rugby on half the pitch, with the emphasis therefore on high skills, passing and running, rather than physical presence. The large crowd cheered both teams on, with the Young Blues holding the edge as Owain Gilderdale caught the eye with a hat-trick of tries, supported by other scores from Lucas Albery, Max Williams and Alfie Wilkie. Neyland also played really well as a team and were rewarded with tries by Taio Hein (2) and Iori Morgan as reward for their full part in a game that was a credit to both clubs.
Haverfordwest 5 tries Tenby 5 tries Referee: Dylan Edwards Touch Judges: Andrew Phillips & Andrew Thomas (all Crymych) There was high drama in the under 8s tag final as Tenby and Haverfordwest shared ten tries and will keep the trophy for six months apiece as reward for their superb display of running rugby. The lead changed hands several times and in the final analysis a draw was a fair result as neither team deserved to lose, with Tenby scoring tries by the influential Madoc Evans (2), William Hilling, George McDonald and Oliver Tucker. But Haverfordwest responded well as Niall Smith led the way with two tries, assisted by Josefa Rabakewa, Will Edwards and Logan Wheaton. It was a cracking final for this age group that was thoroughly enjoyed by a large crowd of vociferous supporters from both clubs.
Llangwm 3 Neyland 10 Referee: Mike Fussell Touch Judges: Andrew Phillips & Gareth Bryant (all Crymych) A try hat-trick from Corey Riley helped Neyland to a convincing win over neighbours Llangwm but the Young Wasps deserve great credit for their performance in yet another entertaining final where they received vociferous support from enthusiastic coach Hamish Nicholls. Darcy Elrick scored two tries for Llangwm and Liam Hughes also got on the try count as the Wasps went close on other occasions through George Nicholls, William Harries and Rhys Phelps but they were unable to halt the power of a Neyland side which also had skill aplenty as Leo Power and Ben Phillips claimed two tries apiece. Other tries were claimed by Finlay Phillips, Ollie Vaughan-Harries and Mason Meaney as the Young All Blacks picked up the silverware, to the evident delight of coaches Mark Riley and Craig Power.
Haverfordwest 8 Llangwm 0 Referee: Robin Davies Touch Judges: Barry Morgan and Mark Deller (all Crymych) Haverfordwest's talented young players were too strong on the day in the under ten final against Llangwm but the scoreline didn't do full justice to the part played by the Young Wasps in a game that was sensitively refereed by Robin Davies. The Young Blues scored eight tries without response but also had to show their defensive qualities against the likes of Frazier Stoddart, Alfie Elrick, Kieran Sinclair and Gethin Finch amongst other real battlers for Llangwm. Owen Rickard was a key player for Haverfordwest as he scored two tries, whilst Devin Williams, Max Fenn, Iori Curtis, Osian Williams, Logun Young and Kieran Fox were their other scorers on a good day for the Young Blues.
Haverfordwest 7 Tenby 61 Referee: Jamie Meek Touch Judges: Simon Edwards & Andrew Phillips Tenby outside half Iori Badham inspired his powerful team to a big win over a gritty Haverfordwest side which deserves real praise for the way that they stuck to the task, despite the fact that they were already 42-7 adrift as they played against the strong breeze blowing into their faces. The winners had Iorrie Richards, Alex Collinson and Dylan Duffy heavily involved alongside Ollie Hughes, Kyle Rossiter and Miller Phillips, whilst Badham raced over for four tries and was supported by centres Fletcher Broadhurst and Dwane-Lee Johns, forwards Cameron Brown and Iwan Duffy, plus winger Ciaran Allen on the try sheet. Badham completed a game where he accumulated 36 points by landing eight out of nine conversions, whilst Harri John scored the Blues' consolation score, converted by his brother Dan, after good work from Gabriel Thicker, Joseph Felice, Jake Ritchie and skipper Lewis Parry. Haverfordwest Player of the Match: Ieuan Irvine Tenby Player of the Match: Iori Badham
Narberth 14 Whitland 19 Referee: Sion Edwards: Assistants: Jamie Meek & Eirian Edwards The under 12s final between neighbours Narberth and Whitland laid claims for the 'game of the tournament’ with a top quality match where high skill levels and commitment did credit to the respective players and coaches. It was the Young Otters who took the lead when quick hands released Isla Craig on a run to claim the first try scored by a girl in this year's finals day, so well done Isla! Whitland responded with tries from flanker Harry Fuller and second row Joe Bohane, both converted by Fuller but Narberth were level at 14-all by half time thanks to a try by Tom Monk and full back Wil Nicholas slotted his second conversion. The second half was equally competitive but Whitland, with skipper Henry Nelson leading by example, grabbed the decisive final score and again it was Fuller who was on hand to cross the whitewash. The conversion went wide but it mattered little because The Young Borderers' defence held firm and although Narberth pressed hard they were unable to add to their total and so Whitland skipper Nelson collected the trophy as reward for his team’s efforts. Narberth Player of the Match: Isla Craig Whitland Player of the Match: Harry Fuller
Cardigan 12 Pembroke 38 Referee: Eirian Edwards Touch Judges: Colin Phillps and Charlie Watts Pembroke's livewire flanker Zac Stewart caught the eye in this final against their counterparts from Cardigan as he scored two tries in the first half, and added two more afterwards for The Young Scarlets. Stewart opened the scoring and his try was converted by Kareem Bugby before Cardigan opened their account with an unconverted score from second row Dylan Castle. Tom Donovan crossed for Pembroke and then another Stewart score was followed by a try for outside half Iori Humphreys, converted by Bugby, to give Pembroke a 24-5 lead at the interval. Stewart also opened the second half with his third try before Cardigan battled back with a corner try by No 8 Cai Ifans, who was outstanding for Cardigan, but it was Pembroke who remained in control as Humphreys, Archie Hillier Wood, Zac Jones and Travis Mathias played well. Cardigan scrum half Beca Edwards joined Ifans and Shane Lee in strong attacks but, try as they might, they were unable to make any further headway and the Young Scarlets emerged as deserved victors after Stewart had sliced through for his fourth try in an outstanding team performance!! Cardigan Player of the Match: Cai Ifans Pembroke Player of the Match: Zac Stewart
Crymych 3 Tenby 20 Referee: Colin Phillips Touch Judges: Simon Edwards and Jason Summers: Tenby started their match against Crymych as favourites and they showed why in a relatively tight first period where they played into the elements yet still led 5-3 - and added another 15 points without reply after the interval. Yet it was Crymych who took the early lead, following good work by Joe Emberson, Osian Phillips, William Stobbs and Steffan Wilson, when outside half Osian Hill slotted a penalty. But Tenby, with scrum half Archie Hughes and No 10 Rhys Tinsley to the fore, soaked up pressure and they took the lead when outstanding flanker Lewis Morgan ploughed over in the left corner. With the wind and rain at their backs, Tenby had good performances by Max Badham, Meru Hughes, Taran Richards, Tommy Whalley and the rest of their big pack which gave them the lion's share of possession and Morgan added his second try alongside a close range-effort from prop Ovi Anguel. Alex Wainwright added a conversion and penalty to set the seal on a good Tenby win, with a mention due for referee Colin Phillips for his quiet control of the game. Crymych Player of the Match: Joe Emberson Tenby Player of the Match: Lewis Morgan
Cardigan 43 Tenby 0 Referee: Charlie Watts Touch Judges: Jason Summers and Sion Edwards An inspired performance by full back Callum Williams helped Cardigan gain a comprehensive victory over a Tenby side which never gave up trying and contributed a great deal to a match that was high on entertainment and with no shortage of skills in both camps. Williams opened his team's account as he sliced through and after winger Jack Taylor had added a second the No 15 showed his footballing skills as he twice kicked ahead, showed good control and won the race for the touchdown. All three conversions were off target so that the Young Teifisiders led by 15-0 at half time - and they used the slope and elements in the second period for Williams to add two more tries, as did outside half Dafydd Davies, who also chipped in with all four conversions. Cardigan skipper Rhun Phillips received the trophy and Williams was chosen as his team’s man of the match, whilst Morgan Grieve, Rhys Grigg, Fletcher Elms and Cameron Broadhurst all played well for the Young Seasiders. Cardigan Player of the Match: Callum Williams Tenby Player of the Match: Jake Roberts
Crymych 34 Pembroke 3 Referee: Jason Summers Assistants: Sion Edwards and Jamie Meek The under 16 players of Crymych and Pembroke rounded off a great day of rugby in some style before the Young Preseli Men, who had started as firm favourites, finally took the silverware. But Pembroke deserve every credit for the way that they stuck to their task and although their only score was a penalty from Leon Stewart they had other real chances which didn’t quite go to plan, despite the excellent efforts of James Allen, Harry Turner, Jonathan Wood and James Jones. Full back Dean James gave Crymych the early lead and added his second shortly before half time after prop Iwan Twigg had also crossed the whitewash to help his team to a 15-0 interval lead. Twigg joined Joshua Bridge and Sam Edge in a strong Crymych front row and there was skill aplenty via twins Caleb and Hedd Nicholas, plus Ilan Phillips, who sliced through for arguably the best try of a long day’s rugby. Busy scrum half Stephen Varney also crossed for Crymych and Dean James rounded off the scoring after hard work from Steffan Rees, Rhydian Howells and Joey Mathias, who never stopped running throughout the match. Crymych Player of the Match: Joey Mathias Pembroke man of the Match: James Jones
http://www.pembrokeshiresport.co.uk/junior-finals-day-a-huge-success-at-crymych
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