Mike Fry Cup Semi-Final:

 

Crymych edge through against The Blues in almighty clash

 

Haverfordwest under 17s  32 - Crymych Under 17s 32

 
After an amazing clash where The Young Preseli Men and their counterparts from Haverfordwest fought out a battle royale in front of a large crowd ended up all square after being involved in an almighty battle which was a credit to both camps - and under the rules of the competition it was Crymych who go through to the final by dint of the fact that the away team are awarded the verdict if a draw is the end result.
 
One could feel sorry for Haverfordwest because they led 32-22 with time running out but Crymych fought like tigers and two late unconverted tries saw them pull level - and PembrokeshireSport.co.uk felt that this was a wonderful advert for youth rugby where there was total commitment, great pace and high skill levels that made it the best we have seen at under 17 level.
 
Indeed, the competition rules are clearly laid out so there could be no complaint from The Blues but from a purists’ point of view we could only wish that the rules provided for a replay because this really would have been a game to savour for a second time!
 
Played out on the 4G surface at Haverfordwest High School,  Crymych served notice from the outset as their front row of Cei Edwards, George Nelson and Sior Phillips scrummaged well and from a penalty outside half Owain Evans pinned Haverfordwest into the corner, from where gritty scrum half Dafydd Bryan set his backs moving right and centre Delme Alleyne sped through a gap and skipper Isaac Davies added the extra points.
 
But Haverfordwest’s attacking play earned penalties and it was No 10 Rio Phillips who punished indiscretions by thumping over two penalties, one from almost half way to narrow the gap to a single point.
 
A high tackle saw Haverfordwest have the chance of a simple three points but they elected to kick to the corner and they looked likely to score from a concerted forward drive but got offside and Crymych made their intentions clear as Scott Williams and Gwion Evans earned a penalty and good ball retention from a series of forward drives saw flanker Owen Fletcher credited with an unconverted try.
 
Haverfordwest responded with an excellent corner try by Logun Young after Iori Curtis charged through and supplied the perfect scoring pass - although Young still had to finish well.
 
Phillips was wide with the conversion but was again on target as Kai Robinson took his chance well to put Haverfordwest in front for the first time at 18-12 - and Rio Phillips belted a 48-metre penalty to widen the gap.
 
Crymych skipper Davies landed a penalty for offside and a high tackle gave Phillips another penalty chance, which he gratefully accepted - but with the last move of the half, again from a penalty to the corner and well-controlled forward drive where George Nelson, Elliott Williams and Owen Fletcher was finally involved, with Davies converting to restrict Haverfordwest to a 27-22 interval lead.
 
The second half was no less competitive as Cai Edwards scored for Crymych but with defences on top as Aled Lewis, James Dearsley,  Delme Alleyne, Deian James and Ifan James defending well for the visitors, with scrum half Dafydd Bryan defying an injury, and the pain from having teeth withdrawn on the day, and forming the ideal link between forwards and backs.
 
Haverfordwest scored another unconverted try by hooker Harri Evans as reward for the forward efforts of Morgan, Evans, Furlong, Dwarakofski to look the likely winners but in the final quarter Crymych grabbed unconverted tries, firstly from outside half Owain Evans, and then hooker George Nelson, which saw the final whistle giving both teams a share of the spoils; with Crymych delighted by the result but Haverfordwest shattered after going so close but just missing out in the latter stages.





 
Haverfordwest Under 17s: Logun Young: Harry Young; Harry Lawrence; Max Fenn; Logan Simmonds: Rio Phillips; Dylan Lewis: Will Morgan; Harri Evans; Hamish Furlong: Tom Morgan; Alfie Dworakofski: Kai Robinson; Jack Robinson; Iori Curtis (Capt). Replacements: Will Harries; George Richards; Gavin Richards; Isaac Jones.
 
Crymych Under 17s: Aled Lewis: James Dearsley; Delme Alleyne; Deian James; Ifan James:  Owain Evans; Dafydd Bryan: Cai Edwards; George Nelson; Sion Phillips: Scott Williams; Gwion Evans: Owen Fletcher; Elliott Williams; Isaac Davies (Capt). Replacements: Cai Williams; Dewi Thomas; Jac Lloyd; Iago Fussell;  Aled Morris; Ifan Wyn Jones; Ianto Lloyd;  Berwyn Thomas; George Griffiths.




 
 

Mike Fry Cup Semi-Final:

 

Scarlets secure success in great points fest at Fishguard

 

Fishguard & Goodwick U17s 33 - Pembroke U17s  47

 
There were points galore in this exciting semi-final at Fishguard as the home side ran in five tries but still bowed out as The Young Scarlets moved into the final against with Haverfordwest or Crymych as they scored seven tries.
 
Leading the way for Pembroke was Bowyn Clarke, who has scored so many points for the club’s youth team in helping them to the championship but is still young enough to play in this lower gage group – and he pouched 22 points as he grabbed two tries and also landed six conversions – with the others coming from Jack Morgan, Zak Shaw and Keanu Williams (2).
 
But the young Seagulls deserve every credit for sticking to their task with a penalty try and others by Jack Richards, William  Robinson, Jesse James and Ifan Evans, with Robinson converting three of them.
 
So now Pembroke will meet Crymych in the final of this very popular event in memory of a great supporter of youth rugby in Tenby and across the county, which will take place at its regular venue of Heywood Lane, and on the evidence of both semis it should certainly be well watxching!.
 
 
 
 

Youth League Rugby:

 

Aber Youngsters fend off a strong Young Blues’ challenge

 

Haverfordwest Youth 16 - Aberystwyth Youth 19

 
Aberystwyth Youth made the long journey down Cardigan Bay and fended off a strong challenge from their counterparts at Haverfordwest in an absorbing clash between two good teams – with the visitors battling their way back after trailing 11-0 and remaining in second spot, with The Young Blues in fourth place after collecting just a losing bonus point for their considerable efforts.
 
The home side started well as their back row of Evan Curtis, Devin Williams and especially  Kieran Harries who caught the eye, with No 8 Harries charging through for their opening score.
 
Rio Phillips was off target with the difficult conversion attempt but he soon made amends with two beautifully-struck penalties, one from near half way as he judged the wind to perfection but Aber hit back near half time with an unconverted try of their own when prop Gerwyn Jones ploughed over from close range.
 
Haverfordwest managed a second try after the interval through hooker Harri Evans but Aber held sway with tries by second row Michael Wistance and scrum half Ben Breeze, both converted by inside centre Rhys Willetts-Jones – with Gerwyn Jones chosen as their man of the match and still standing in second place as their reward.
 

Youth League Rugby:

 

Young Seasiders win well at Crymych

 

Crymych Youth 5 - Tenby United 19

 
Tenby United Youth produced one of their better performances of the season as they travelled to Parc Lloyd Thomas and came away with victory over Crymych Youth after sharing the spoils in their earlier fixture with an exciting 24-all draw.
 
On this occasion to Crymych Youth team could only score one unconverted try when centre Delme Allayne crossed the whitewash but The Young Seasiders achieved their seventh success with tries from Iwan Duffy, Dan Howells and Dylan Duffy, two of them converted by Will Allen.
 
With this result Tenby United Youth stand in third place whilst Crymych’s young team stay at the foot of the table with only one victory, vut improving all the time!