Dewar Shield Quarter Final – Under 16s:

 

Pembrokeshire Schools 17 - Swansea (West) Schools 21

 
Referee: Joseph Rees (Amman Valley)
Venue: Heywood Lane, Tenby
 
Pembrokeshire Schools under 16’s quest for a semi-final place in this year’s Dewar Shield competition took place against Swansea (West) at a floodlit Heywood Lane in front of a big crowd who were treated to as good a match as one could ever see at this young age and adjectives to describe the local team could be 'Magnificent, Heroic, Committed and Skilful’ but in the final analysis it was the short phrase ‘Bitterly disappointed' that best described the final result as they went down to a narrow defeat.
 
They had led 16-14 late in the game when Swansea grabbed a try from a powerful surge and although diehard local supporters nearby claimed the ball hadn’t been grounded. Referee Joseph Rees, however,  was perfectly-place to signal the score before No 10 Cai Davies added the superb conversion to widen the gap to five points.
 

Tense finale where Pembrokeshire were denied

 
But Pembs Schools stormed back upfield to gain a platform on the Swansea 22 and went so close to the line before Mr Rees signalled a penalty – but there was a long delay because home replacement Seth Walker sustained a head injury and had to be stretchered off.
 
When the game restarted Pembrokeshire tried to batter their way to the line but were held up a yard short, only to be awarded another penalty in front of the posts – and this happened on three occasions, leaving the home crowd to yell for a penalty try before there was a knock-on and the final whistle went, leaving the  home players and a partisan crowd, seeing their dreams shattered.
 

Tactical differences between two fantastic teams

 
Having said that,  the visitors deserved every credit for their part in a classic encounter that brought great credit to both regions in a fascinating contrast of tactics, where Pembrokeshire looked to run the ball at every opportunity whilst Swansea understandably used their greater fire-power up front that involved Toby Baldini, skipper Bobby Bennett and Josh Marshall, with No 10 Davies and full back Dylan Quinn kicking well for position whilst also releasing strong-running Macsen Holland and Ollie Hopkins whenever the chance arose.
 
Swansea dominated the linesout with their huge second rows Ben Loosemore and Tomi Davies who were both about 6feet 6inches tall – but the scrums were far more competitive and both sides were adept at winning quality possession on the ground but with Pembrokeshire having a back row of Sean Bolger, Caio jones and Iori Thomas who excelled in this department, alongside Ethan Lewis, Finn Bruins and outstanding skipper Ollie Tucker.
 
Second rows Harvey and Archie Thomas were understandably shaded out in the linesout but were totally involved in defence – and with Harvey laying claims for ‘man of the match’, amongst several others, as he fielded every kick off and made good ground, as well as playing like a centre in a number of attacking moves.
 
Behind the scrum,  Pembrokeshire had No 9 Daf Killian setting the tone with a crunching early tackle and in his half back partner, Macsen Evans, plus centres Josh James and Daf Williams they had an attacking trio, whilst full back Niall Smith joined them and wingers Iestyn Robb and Ollie Thompson giving 100% in attack and defence.
 

Swansea take the early lead but Pembs in front at half time

 
But it was Swansea who took the lead midway through the half when they kicked to the corner, naturally won the lineout and from the ensuing forward surge it was flanker Josh Marshall who was credited with the try, superbly converted by Cai Davies as a bonus.
 
Pembrokeshire were on the board two minutes later when they earned a penalty near the 22 which Niall Smith landed, an it was.t long before he added the conversion to a cracking home try that started when Harvey Thomas the hard yards from a kick-off,  set up a ruck and play was switched left at pace and flanker Caio Jones sped up the touchline, switched inside to Niall Smith, who supplied the scoring pass for winger Ollie Thompson to speed to the corner flag and run around to the posts.
 
Pembs had another chance of a try from a Macsen Evans break but it was anything but one-way as Swansea responded with a strong counter from Macsen Holland, Ollie Hopkins and Ioan Herbert which was only halted by a try-saving tackle from Josh James, so that Pembs still led 10-7 at half time.
 

Tight second period

 
The home side started the second period well as Smith slotted an early penalty but Swansea were denied another try by some strong home defence but they regained the lead when a break instigated by their pack saw them awarded a close-range penalty from which skipper Bobby Bennett  was credited with the score and Davies slotted the easy conversion.
 
Davies also attempted a huge penalty from half way which drifted sort and wide before Niall Smith took a Pembs’ penalty from 45 metres and found the target, to put his side ahead moving in to the final stages, when Swansea grabbed their third try from close-range, this time by prop Ashton Maybank, again converted by Davies.
 
And that late drama was added to by Pembrokeshire’s desperate attempts to claim a seven-point score but Swansea somehow held out and now wait to see who they play in the last four.
 

Coaches’ comments:

 
Pembrokeshire coach Aled Waters said afterwards,
“I am so proud of the whole squad, who have been a pleasure to be involved with, my fellow coaches, terrific parents and sponsors, plus their schools and local clubs. Everyone involved has been brilliant,”
 
Tom Meredith (Assistant coach( added,
“No one has shirked training, there has been total commitment, and we have been lucky to have such dedication. Well done to everyone.”
 
There is still, however, the chance for Pembrokeshire Schools to be seeded fifth for the future as they take on Newport Schools (away) and Rhymney Valley, at Haverfordwest RFC, on Friday 13^th December.
 
Stop Press: Pembrokeshire’s injured Seth Walker was at Heywood Lane until 11pm, when an ambulance took him to Withybush Hospital. He was discharged at 4am on Saturday and must wear a neck brace at the moment.
Flanker Caio Jones was also injured and later diagnosed with concussion so he will be side-lined for the forthcoming games.
Both were expertly looked after by Dan Field, one of the assistant coaches for Pembrokeshire, who was thanked for his expertise in dealing with such injuries.
 
Pembrokeshire Schools: Niall Smith: Iestyn Robb; Josh James (V Capt); Daf Williams; Ollie Thompson: Madoc Evans; Daf Killian: Ollie Tucker (Capt); Ethan Lewis; Finn Bruins: Harvey Thomas; Alfie Thomas: Sean Bolger; Caio Jones; Iori Thomas. Replacements:  Tyler James; Alex Rigby-Scott; Will Diment; Gethin Wilcox.
Head Coach - Aled Waters:  Forwards’ Coach - Tom Meredith: Attack Coach - Mike Jones: Defence Coach - Dan Field: Assistant Forwards’ Coach - Dan Allen: Assistant Backs  Coaches – Bowyn Clark & Rio Phillips.
 
Swansea (West) Schools: Dylan Quinn: Ioan Herbert; Ollie Hopkins; Macsen Holland; Jaiden Ryan-Young: Cai Davies; Marty Lewis: Ashton Maybank; Bobby Bennett (Capt); Jack Courtney: Ben Loosmore; Tomi Davies: Josh Marshall; Will Harries; Toby Baldoni. Replacements: Jinks Watkins; James Davies; Tom Haynes; Jacob Jones; Harri Williams.
Head Coach -  Richard Lancaster. Team Manager - Catrin Evans: Forwards’ Coaches - James Ratti & Sean Richards: Backs’ Coaches - Matthew Aubrey & Ben Thomas: Physio - Lauren Evans.