Venue: King George Vth Playing Field, Cardigan Referee: Martin Jones (St Clears) Assistants: Charlie Watts and Dave Byrne Man of the Match: Ifan Phillips (Crymych hooker) Crymych Youth's powerhouse hooker Ifan Phillips was the toast of his colleagues and their large band of supporters as he scored an amazing FIVE tries against their counterparts from Aberystwyth to help them to victory in the Pembrokeshire Youth Cup Final. Phillips, the son of former Welsh hooker Kevin Phillips, was everywhere in an excellent all-round display that would have pleased his father and co-coach Tudor Harries, whilst the other Ifan Phillips, playing in the centre, also got on the try sheet alongside winger Dylan Thomas.
The match was played at the King George Vth Ground in Cardigan and prior to the start there was a minute's silence as a mark of respect for Ian Gollop, Cardigan RFC's late Life President, who had played an influential role at the club for so long. But once the game started it was the young Preseli Men who took control as their pack were clearly stronger, despite the yeoman work of Aber skipper Steffan Evans, Robert Wallis and skipper Kier Smith, as Crymych captain Guto Davies led by example in a dynamic back row that included Gethin James and Dylan Phillips.
Ryan Bean and prop Scott Jenkins also caught the eye as ball winners alongside Michael Ryan, Steffan Howells and especially man of the match Ifan Phillips in the Crymych front five, so that half backs Callum James and Jake Jenkins could call the shots and bring their backs into motion. The young Preseli Men were already 29-0 ahead by half time as they ran in five tries, several of them from long range as Carwyn James, Dylan Thomas and Carwyn Vaughan posed a real threat - and with the ubiquitous hooker Phillips involved in everything as he built towards his try quintet. Crymych added another two second half tries, one converted by Jake Jenkins to go with his two on target in the first period, before Aber's efforts in an entertaining final were finally rewarded with late tries from hooker Owen Bonsall and winger Sion Cowdie, one converted by No 10 Gwern Penri. But it was Crymych captain Guto Davies who received the trophy from John Colley (Pembroke), the chairman of Pembrokeshire Youth Rugby, and the Crymych success was no more than they deserved as reward for all their hard work under coaches Phillips and Harries. Aberystwyth: Daniel Elgin: Ben Lloyd-Jones; Sion Gefalon; Arwell Price; Sion Cowdie: Gwern Penri; Iestyn Evans: Lewis Roberts; Owen Bonsall; Robert Suttun: Gareth Jones; Stephen Roberts Steffan Evans (Capt); Robert Wallis; Kier Smith. Replacements:Isaac Evans; Steffan Dale; Rhodri Jones; Sam Hesdon; Llyr Jones; Dylan Harries; Luke Davies; Josh Martin-Williams. Crymych: Carwyn James: Dylan Thomas; Ifan Phillips; Tomos Phillips; Carwyn Vaughan: Jake Jenkins; Callum James: Michael Ryan; Ifan Phillips; Scott Jenkins: Ryan Bean; Steffan Howells: Gethin James; Dylan Phillips; Guto Davies (Capt).Replacements: Owen Edwards; Llyr Edwards; Llyr Evans; Llyr Davies; Osian Evans; Steffan Harries.
Please wait as the server processes your request. Do not attempt to refresh the page.
Processing
Processing