The day got off to a sensational start with Under 12s and under 13sfinals that would have graced any finals’ day – so well done the players and coaches from Haverfordwest, Tenby (twice) and Crymych.
 
It was brilliant!




 

Under 12s Final:

 

Blues edge home in opening thriller

Haverfordwest 31 - Tenby United 28

 

It was generally agreed by pundits around the ground from the press that this was the best opener they could remember of the epic finals that had gone before with this age group, and a credit to their clubs, not only for their high skill levels from such young players bur also their respect for each other and a terrific clash where the lead changed hands several times and after 59 points being scored the result was in doubt until the last whistle blown by referee George Nicholls.
 
The first half already showed how close it was likely to be as Tenby were ahead by 14-12 at the interval but then three converted tries in a Blues’ ‘purple patch’ in the next 15 minutes saw them in a position where lesser sides would have crumbled, but fought back with commitment beyond their years, to help produce such an epic ‘curtain raiser’.
 
In that first half, The Young Blues tries came from centre Cruz Francis and scrum half Tom Wheeler, who were part of a powerful midfield quartet alongside Sebastian Squelch and George Corby, who was a positive pivot at No 10 as he called his backs into action at every chance and added a conversion before the break.
 
The Young Seasiders also looked sharp with their support play and handling skills, with their tries coming from winger Noah Campbell and strong-running No 8  Freddie Caine, both converted by centre Billy Thomas after good work up front by Geoffrey Martin, Iwan Brace and Samuel Fecci, ably assisted by Joseff Diment and Isaac Phillips in their second row.
 
But then the game was almost blown apart because whatever head coach Mark Corby said at the interval it certainly worked  as there were two more tries from outstanding centre Francis and one for No 8 Beau Hay, who formed a powerful back row unit with Mason McNabney and skipper Ryan Kettle alongside Fraser Johnston and George Bentley in the second row. All three tries were converted by outside half George Corby and suddenly Haverfordwest were 31-14 ahead.
 
But this Tenby team is made of stern stuff and with  Harry Thomas and Iwan Williams probing for position they claimed two tries,  from talented No 10 Williams and replacement Harry Hayden, both converted by centre Thomas.
 
It ensured a tense conclusion but Haverfordwest’s defence held out and they received the winner’s trophy, with Tenby rightly praised for their part in a massive contest that ensured a rousing start to five games of quality rugby!
 
Haverfordwest Coaches: Mark Corby, Carl Griffiths, Jamie Furlong, Stuart Wheeler Tom Johnson
Team Manager & First Aid: Tom Johnson & Jamie Furlong
 
Tenby United Coaches:  Danny Brace, Mark Badham, James Caine, Geoff Martin, Phil Williams
Team Manger & First Aid: Danny Brace & Phill Williams
 
Haverfordwest:  Max Griffiths: Oliver Hilton; Sebastian Squelch Cruz Francis; Louie Vaughan: George Corby; Thomas Wheeler: Archie Coleman; Rory Furlong; Morlo Carrozza- Kaill: Fraser Johnston; George Betley: Mason McNabney; Ryan Kettle (Capt); Beau Hay. Replacements:  Leon Davies; Ollie Pyart; Oliver Milne; Charlie Hopkins;  Ronnie Charles; Levi Lawrence.

Tenby United: Toby Evans: Noah Campbell; Gethin White; Billy Thomas; Archie Llewellin: Iwan Williams; Harry Thomas: Geoffrey Martin; Iwan Brace;  Samuel Fecci: Isaac Phillips; Joseff Diment: Iolo Badham; Cai Jenkins; Freddie Caine. Replacements: Teddy Davies; Harry Hayden; Django Johns; Harley Gwyther; Edward Skidmore; Charlie Walker (injured).

Referee: George Nicholls.

 

 

Under 13s Final:

 

Seasiders too strong for gritty Crymych

Tenby United 33 - Crymych 17         

 
 

An excellent team performance from Tenby U13s saw them come away with a well-earned 33–17 win over a  battling Crymych side which never gave up trying and played their part in a match that was a credit to the both teams in this developing age group, which was controlled well by referee Gareth Scourfield, who is relatively new to the role but showed his many years at Bierspool have given him an empathetic approach to the game.
 
The forwards in both camps worked incredibly hard, battling in the rucks and scrums to win good ball to stay on the front foot as much as possible but also ready to defend wherever necessary.
 
But Tenby held the edge in terms of moving the ball well, finding space and causing problems for Crymych at the back, despite the efforts of Tommy Morgan, Macsen Challenger and Hari Moore as they joined Regan James, Jack Davies and Jackson Miles-Bevan in trying to keep their line intact but with Tenby half backs Caden Jones and Blake Davies calling the shots – and with No 9 Davies scoring a cracking try as he ran hard, chased  a clever chip ahead and won the race for the touchdown.
 
Full back Harri Leigh also caught the eye with his defence and ability to join the attack as he claimed a good try – but it was the power of centre Bowen King which was a special feature of Tenby’s battle plan as he grabbed three tries whilst No 10 Jones also showed his kicking ability by landing four conversions.
 
For Crymych, there were good tries by winger Llyr Blethyn, centre Hari Nicholls and outside half Alfie Hayes, who also slotted a conversion and worked well with nippy scrum half Sion Bryan, who proved a good link between forwards and backs as he never stopped trying to create space for his team.
 
Again, all the coaches’ hard work  put in to get the teams to this point, has really paid off because some players on both sides showed how much they have to offer the game as they get older – and will surely appear in these finals again before moving on to youth and senior success.
 
Tenby United Coaches:  Fletcher Elms, Russell Heart, Johnny Leigh
Team Manager: Katy Stamp
 
Crymych Coaches:  Jason Nicholls, Phil Vans, Barry Davies.

Team Manager: Christine Selby.
 
Tenby United: Harri Leigh: Harvey Nicholas; Jacob Davies; Bowen King; Jax Gough: Caden Jones: Blake Davies: Reuben Stamp; Ben Appleton; Noa Watt: Alfie Jones; Jacob Williams: Harry Howells; Oscar Heart; Emilio Hernandez. Replacements:  Rupert Ashley; Tomos Evans; Jack Gardner; Nial Keene; Alfie Reeve; Harley Jones.

Crymych: Regan James: Llyr Blethyn; Jackson Miles-Bevan; Hari Nicholls; Jack Davies: Alfie Hayes; Sion Bryan: Charlie Young; Noa Evans; Aaron Bizzotto; Tomos Davies; Morgan Davies:  Tommy Morgan; Macsen Challenger; Hari Moore. Replacements: Llyr Selby; Noa Truslove; Alex Nicholas; Jake Rees; Oscar Barker; Jordan Williams; Hari Davies.

Referee: Gareth Scourfield.