Crymych’s talented under 18 team deservedly won the Griffiths Cup for under 18s but not before they were well tested by a Neyland side which played really well and never allowed the opposition to over-run them as they will have pleased coaches Steve Evans and Johnny Mayhew for their 100% commitment to the club cause. But it was the Crymych side which managed to keep parity up front against bigger opposition, which was viewed with satisfaction by their coaches Kevin Phillips and Tudor Harries - so that their talented back division, ably organised by outside half Jake Jenkins and skipper Ifan Phillips, could use their pace and handling skills to score six tries, whilst limiting the opposition to two tries as reward for some periods of pressure.
Neyland early lead quickly cancelled out
It was Neyland who took the early lead after Matthew Coles, Mitchel Roberts, Eugene Price, Scott and Jimmy Buirds has established the platform for a penalty slotted home by No 10 George Williams. But Crymych served notice of intent as Jac Griffiths spread play wide and centre Osian Davies put winger Will Lloyd-Morgan over in the top corner for an unconverted try – and Osian Davies was again the provider in the other corner as his powerful run allowed Jake Jenkins to cross the whitewash, although Jenkins was unable to add the extra points. Ifan Phillips helped increase the Crymych lead as the skipper created enough space for an inside pass to allow Jac Griffiths to cross near the posts so that Jenkins could land his first conversion.
At this stage it seemed as if a big score was on the cards but Neyland knuckled down and a huge tackle by Jimmy Buirds raised the Neyland tempo so that they trailed by 17-3 at the interval – and also opened the second half scoring as Ethan Mayhew, Mark Mathias and Rhys Davies featured in a series of drives before a Williams’ kick to the corner allowed Jimmy Buirds to be impelled over the line.
But it made Crymych raise the tempo again as Llyr Davies, Llyr Evans, Harry Vaughan and Lee Griffiths caught the eye in the ball-winning stakes before full back Osian Edwards; fine break from deep allowed Ifan Phillips to score a try converted by Jenkins. Then Osian Davies took a crash ball to take out the Neyland cover and Jac Griffiths grabbed his second score, converted by Jenkins to make the game safe, only for good work by Neyland skipper Alex Codd alongside Callum Syme and Jordan Wright saw Rhys Davies go close and scrum half George Evans claim a try converted by half back partner Williams. Crymych had the final word, however, almost straight from the kick-off when quick hands and a lucky bounce enabled Llyr Davies to cross at the posts for a try converted by Ifan Phillips.
The after-match presentations were ably conducted by Rod Chamberlain, chairman of Neyland RFC, with Mike Griffiths presenting the runners-up trophy to Neyland captain Alex Codd, with Robert Griffiths handing over the main trophy to Crymych skipper Ifan Phillips. A large crowd enjoyed a fast tempo throughout an entertaining tussle and there was a high degree of sportsmanship allied to some excellent decisions from referee Jason Summers and his assistants, Charlie Watts and Ross Grieve. Neyland Under 18s: Tom Hughes: Callum Sime; Alex Codd (Capt); Jordan A Wright; Lewis Watts: George Williams; George Evans: Ethan Mayhew; Mark Mathias; Rhys Davies: Scott Buirds; Eugene Grice: Mitchell Roberts; Matthew Coles; Jimmy Buirds.Replacement: Kyle Richards. Coaches: Steve Evans & Johnnie Mayhew. Crymych Under 18s: Osian Edwards: Will Lloyd-Morgan; Osian Davies; Ifan Phillips (Capt); Sion Evans: Jake Jenkins; Jac Griffiths: Math Lorwedd-Scott; Lee Griffiths; Tom Crees: Matthew Freebury; Dafydd Vaughan: Harry Vaughan; Llyr Evans; Llyr Davies.Replacements: Iwan Davies; Guto Edwards; Gethin Evans; Rhodri Sollis; Hedd James; Gethin Davies; Adam Foster. Coaches: Kevin Phillips & Tudor Harries.
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