2025 Mike Fry Cup Final:

 
 

Crymych Under 17s -10 Tenby United Under 17s – 10

 
Venue: Heywood Lane, Tenby
Referee: Paul Watts (Carmarthen)
Assistants: David ‘Paddy’ Byrne & Matthew Johns
 
The Mike Fry Cup Final produced an epic contest between the talented Under 17 players from Crymych and  Tenby United which would have pleased the late gentleman whose name was always associated with quality youth rugby and whose honour was truly recognised on a lovely evening at his home club of Tenby, in a thrilling and action-packed  match where both sides showed, high skill levels, pace aplenty and total commitment that was a tribute to their high fitness levels, writes Bill Carne.
 
After 70 minutes of non-stop action, it was impossible to separate the teams as they shared 20 points and with extra time not allowed at this age group it was decided on try count-back and it was Crymych who were able to celebrate the closest of victories because they had scored two unconverted tries and The Young Seasiders had recorded a try, conversion and penalty! One could only feel sorry for either side losing like this – even worse than football’s penalty shoot-out!
 

Vital moments came and went!

 
Both teams had cause to look back on vital moments and in Crymych’s case it was with five minutes left and after a lengthy period of pressure it looked as if they had just fallen short of a score from George Nelson when referee Paul Watts signalled the ball had been held up over the line but on the intervention of touch judge Paddy Byrne changed the decision to a try from the Crymych hooker and vice-captain – and although the conversion went wide in the final analysis it didn’t matter.
 
At the other end Tenby will look back on periods of pressure where they just fell short – none more so in the short time remaining after the scores had been levelled – and they camped in the left corner and made several attempted drives for the line but Crymych showed the defence that typified their whole game and a Tenby knock-on ended the game in the visitors’ favour.
 
To say that both teams did justice to the spirit of this competition would be an understatement because it highlighted high skill levels, fitness and total commitment – all elements of youth rugby that the late Mike Fry totally endorsed, as play swung from end to end – so that the interval scoreline of 5-3 to Crymych was due to superb defence and over-eagerness as the large crowd drawn to Heywood Lane at the prospect of a great game weren’t in the least disappointed.
 

Young Seasiders started well – but Crymych still led at half time

 
The Young Seasiders had the better of the opening exchanges as their front row of Jamie Cogger, Ethan Lewis and skipper Ollie Tucker helped set up some sustained attacks but superb Crymych defence featuring Delme Alleyne. Hari Thomas, George Nelson and Tomos Jones (lineouts) somehow kept out Madoc Evans, Louie Treadaway-Williams, Alfie Pryor and especially Alfie Luger out.
 
But Tenby finally opened their account after 27 minutes of non-stop action with a 25-metre penalty by Madoc Evans, but it was to prove their only points of the half as their back three of Alex Rigby-Stock, Kieran Sine and  Callum Cogger who kept on a tight rein by their  opposite numbers Ifan Wyn Jones, George Griffiths and Ifan James.
 
The Young Preseli Men came more and more into the game and raking kick by No 9 Daf Bryan earned them a 50-20 throw which allowed them to set up camp in the Tenby 22 and after a series of drives in the left corner, led by Geraint Thomas, Elliot Bailey-Williams, Iwan Davies and Scott Williams before Hari Thomas was credited with the touch-down.
 

Frantic action throughout the second half

 
Both teams went at it hammer and tongs after the restart but it was The Young Seasiders who finally broke the deadlock after Spencer Odley won good line-out ball and good work by Will Diment, Jayden Allen, Lewis Rossiter and Jayden Allen allowed Treadaway-Williams to set his backs in motion and a very long pass slung left by Madoc Evans saw winger Callum Cogger to do well as he squeezed in at the corner for Evans to add the difficult conversion.
 
It certainly galvanised his side to raise the tempo as hooker Lewis made a break down the middle but lacked support and Crymych, with skipper Deian Jones organising things superbly alongside Kian Ladd and Owain Evans, cleared the danger as they did Luger when gained ground but the final pass went astray.
 
But not only did Crymych repel several raids they also started to attack, often through telling runs by No 8  Alleyne, and once managed to cross the line but referee  Watts ruled the ball had been held up – as he did late on in the game but touch-judge Byrne intervened and after a discussion between the officials he changed his ruling and George  Nelson was awarded the try!
 
It tied the score, since the conversion went wide, although it looked mighty close from the terraces, Tenby went on the attack and for the final three minutes camped near the Crymych line but somehow failed to break Crymych’s resolve and the final whistle saw the end of an absorbing clash where Crymych were understandably jubilant and Tenby United were distraught – but showed good sportsmanship in accepting the verdict.
 

And finally . . .

 
Tenby United chairman Harry Bolton presented the man of the match award to Crymych No 8 Delme Alleyne in recognition of his immense contribution to Crymych’s success and awarded the Mike Fry Trophy to their inspirational skipper Deian James.
 
Doubly delighted in the Crymych camp would have been coaches John Davies, Gareth Bryan and Michael Fussell; with Gareth and Michael having been with this squad for a decade since they came together at under 7s level - and  Delyth Bryan has also been the team manager and first aider for all that time too!
 
Crymych: Under 17s:
 Ifan Wyn Jones: George Griffiths; Kian Ladd; Deian James (Capt); Ifan James: Owain Evans; Dafydd Bowen: Geraint Thomas; George Nelson; Iwan Davies: Tomos Jones; Scott Williams: Hari Thomas; Elliot Bailey Williams; Delme Alleyne. Replacements: Meirion Thomas; Aled Morris; Llyr Mathias; Morgan Evans; Iago Fussell; Taran Morgan; Elliott Davies; Jaap Harries.
 Coaches: John Davies; Gareth Bryan, Michael Fussell.  Team Manager: Carwyn Evans. First Aid: Delyth Bryan.  Water Boy: Huw Evans.
 
Tenby United Under 17s:
Alex Rigby-Stock: Kiaran Sine; Alfie Prior; Alfie Luger; Callum Cogger: Madoc Evans; Louie Treadaway-Williams: Jamie Cogger; Ethan Lewis; Ollie Tucker (Capt): Spencer Odley; Rocco Hernandez: Will Diment; Jayden Allen:  Lewis Rossiter. Replacements: Jack Webb; Jamie Anderson; Will Day; Rhys Barnes; Iori Thomas; Ethan Wright; Tyler James; Jack Henson; Gethin Nixon.
Coaches: Aled Waters; Mark Heywood; Paul Luger; Mike Lewis; Mike Evans.   Physio: Lewys Boswell.