Daf Williams – a rugby teenager to watch in future years

 
When the Pembrokeshire Schools talented under 16s team took part so well in this season’s National Dewar Shield competition there was no doubt that one of the leading lights was centre Daf Williams, who not only caught the eye with his razor-sharp attacking runs but was also so strong a tackler, and good reader of play, that he was charged with the responsibility of organising their defensive patterns by defence coach Dan Field.
 
Daf had already been chosen for the Dewar Shield team a year earlier because coaches Aled Waters and Tom Meredith had spotted his potential, which certainly came to fruition this season as Pembrokeshire beat off the stern challenges of all five other teams in the Llanelli region to gain entry into the last eight draw.




 

Terrific quarter-final tussle at Heywood Lane

 
So, Merthyr, Carmarthenshire, Mynydd Mawr, Ceredigion and Llanelli Schools all came and lost to the county before their last-eight match against Swansea (West) at Heywood Lane, Tenby, which was watched by a very large crowd.
 
It was a terrific tussle where the county trailed by four points going into the last minute of play and were awarded three penalties in quick succession right on Swansea’s line - but with no further sanctions by the match official and the final whistle blown as the county knocked on, leaving them to reflect on what might have been - and great dissatisfaction amongst the onlookers!
 
It was a huge blow but Daf, skipper Ollie Tucker and Co showed their mettle as they then played at Newport and won there before a comfortable last game against Rhymney Valley Schools at Haverfordwest where Daf scored a cracking first try of the match as he scythed through from 30 metres out - and victory saw them finally ranked fifth in the competition.




 

Family matters . . .

 
Daf is certainly following in the family’s footsteps because his dad Steve was a talented outside half with Haverfordwest, Cardigan, Narberth, Pontyberem and Llanelli as his work took him to a few clubs and he also represented The Welsh Police and the British Police, including games against France, Australia, British Army and a successful Tour of South Africa.
 
Daf’s brother Ifan, who is a year older, wore the No 10 jersey in the previous season’s Dewar Shield team and they actually played one game together, when the county beat Carmarthenshire at Carmarthen Quins’ ground.
 
Ifan is now doing very well at Hartpury College, renowned for its rugby teams - and Daf could consider joining him once he has completed his GCSEs later this year.
 
Then there’s sister Alys (13), who plays scrum half for Ysgol Caer Elin and football in midfield for Clarbeston Road’s girls’ team - and arguably the most important person in the family (at least that is what Steve and Daf told us!) is mum Sian, who loves horses and is the best organiser and taxi driver in the county!
 

Other sports played

 
Daf also used to play football for Clarbie when his dad was one of the coaches but then had to decide which sport to fully focus on: and of course it was in the oval-ball game.
 
He has also played cricket for Haverfordwest in the under 15 and Ormond Youth Cup teams, as a wicket-keeper/batsman who had a top score of 52 (which he achieved by hitting a six to round it off nicely!) - and was pleased to be chosen as ‘Junior Player of the Year’
 
Daf has also enjoyed success in athletics at Haverfordwest High School as they won the Welsh Schools’ team championship in Cardiff - and he competed well in the 300 metres and also helped rugby colleagues Niall Smith, Harvey Thomas, Ollie Thompson and Caio Jones to victory in the relay squad.
 

Early start in rugby

 
Back on the rugby front, Daf started out as a seven-year-old at Crymych, when he attended Maenclochog Junior School, and by the time he was 11 he was a regular in the county squad coached by Kenny Davies as reward for so much practice on the back garden with Ifan.
 
It was a strong team and they had reached the semi-finals, where they were due to play Ammanford, but Covid came along and it was only in the back garden that any rugby was played for some time.
 
In Year 9, Daf moved from Ysgol Caer Elin to Haverfordwest High and joined Haverfordwest RFC, where Ady Smith, Gareth Williams and Lyndon Freyling had started to form a strong young rugby squad.
 

Other rugby successes

 
Then came the Dewar Shield, where he has been able to play during three seasons because of his playing alongside Ifan came a year up at under 15 level, and then as a regular last campaign when it was still under 15 - and when the competition age group was changed to under 16 for 2024/25.
 
Outside of his success at county level, it is worth mentioning that a number of the same players are students at Haverfordwest High School, where they did really well when they were in Year Ten.

“We played in the Urdd Sevens at Cardiff and after playing seven games in a day we won the title - and also reached the final of the Welsh Schools’ competition, which was played at The Principality Stadium and was televised live.”
 

Mistaken identity at the Principality Stadium

 
They lost 20-18 to Bro Morgannwg and Daf managed to play after there had been doubts about his fitness - but a scan on his scapula the day before confirmed he was fit to play - but it was too late to have his name on the programme.
 
He played really well and especially caught the eye live on S4C with a storming 40-metre run out of defence, where he shrugged off four would-be tacklers - but didn’t get even a brief mention because the commentators hadn’t done their job and checked if there were any changes!



 

High praise from coach Mike

 
But his yeoman work in defence was certainly noted by Mr Mike Jones, his games teacher and a coach at county level, who told us at PembrokeshireSport.co.uk,
“I rate Daf as the best defensive player at this age that I have ever come across because his tackling and general coverage of play is immense.
 
“Add to that his great handling ability, pace and deceptive upper body strength and I believe that Daf is certainly going to be a talent to watch in the future.”
 
There is still a lot to be looked forward to before the end of this campaign because the school’s sixth form team, where Daf and his Year 11 pals have helped the school reach the semi-final of the Welsh Schools Cup after beating Cardiff High School and Brynteg on the way, and now they will play in the semi-final in March, hoping to keep their run going.



 
 

And finally . . .

 
We at PembrokeshireSport.co.uk felt that the last word on Daf Williams should be left to county coach Aled Waters, who told us,
“Daf has had an outstanding season and his been a key player in attack and defence. We spotted his potential last season and he has proved we were correct.

“His defence is phenomenal and he has kept spirits up at difficult times by his example and quiet encouragement of others.

“His attacking play in midfield alongside Madoc Evans and Josh James has been brilliant, and he is sure to go on to bigger and better things”.
 
High praise indeed from someone who knows play this level inside out - and we can only wish Daf Williams every success because we really believe he deserves it!
 
**STOP PRESS**
Since writing this article Daf has been selected in the Scarlets (West) squad, who played and beat RGC in Aberystwyth convincingly on 9^th Feb 2025. Daf was selected as “back of the match” with one try and many positive impacts on the game – so well done Daf!