Pembrokeshire Youth Plate Competition:

 

Llangwm 16 - Aberystwyth 10

 
Iwan Davies was the toast of his teammates as the Llangwm scrum-half grabbed all 16 points in an epic battle with their mid-Wales opponents, to see Llangwm Youth deservedly reach their first county final for many years.

That Llangwm is fielding its first youth team for 11 years is a real success in itself, thanks in no small way to the yeoman work of Richard Scriven and the club committee, alongside the coaching team of Dafydd Bowen, Geoff Asson, Joseph Kiff and John Whitticombe.

The large crowd at Pill Parks enjoyed a superb display of commitment and skill from both teams in a game played in great spirit and well controlled by referee by Martin Rudd. On a heavy surface, the game unfolded into a real dogfight with both sets of forwards carrying a lot of ball, with the immense tackle count of both teams a testament to their fitness and will to win.

Strong start for Aber – and a narrow interval lead

Aberystwyth started the game strongly and soon camped themselves deep in the Llangwm half. But the defensive work from Llangwm held them at bay and gradually Llangwm took a foothold in the game. After excellent work by the forwards, the outstanding player of the match Aled Rogers, skipper Arwyn O’Loughlin and Seth Willington carrying the ball strongly, Davies opened his account with a penalty kick to give Llangwm the lead.

Aberystwyth responded well to this setback and after once again setting up good field position via Gwion Hefin, Owen Pugh, Will Beckham and Alex Spollen, it was outstanding No.8 Shane Evans who broke down the blindside and crashed over wide out.

The conversion was missed but Aber had a 5-3 lead. Llangwm were dealt a blow in the build up to the try as influential flanker Evan Thomas sustained a nasty blow to the head. Evan did re-join the game but at half-time had to leave the field, replaced by Matthew Charles.



 

Iwan Davies takes control

No further score was added by either team until halfway through the second half, as both sides attacked strongly but were met with unyielding defences, with the tackle count of Jake Thomas a real stand out.

The Llangwm pack started to gain ascendancy in the scrum, with O’Loughlin and Willington winning a steady stream of lineout possession. Outside half Owen Phelps controlled play well and along with centres Ieuan Gray and Dom Asson probed away at the defence, with wingers Flynn Tjoonk and Lucas Chamberlain both making half breaks.

Then came Llangwm’s only try of the game. Harry Makepeace, who had an excellent game at fullback, helped establish good field position. A series of strong carries by the forwards led by Solomon Oxenham, Joe Phillips and Charlie Wilson finally saw the Aber defensive line unable to reorganise, Davies sniping through a gap to dive over for a try he converted to give Llangwm a five-point cushion.

Aber denied by excellent Wasps’ defence

Shortly after, Davies slotted his second penalty after Aber had infringed at a breakdown, but back came the mid-Walians as  Iwan Lewis, Llyr Davies and Will Thomas established the platform for Shane Evans to storm over from 30 metres for his second try to close the gap to 13-10.

Aber had full back Euros Lloyd playing well in defence alongside winger Harvey Lloyd, who was making his youth debut, whilst No 8 Evans had good support in the back row from Aeron Gwynne and Dion James – and half backs Owen Pugh and Gwion Hefin tried hard to influence matters.

But roared on by the home crowd, this was to be Llangwm’s day as the team dug deep and forced a further penalty for offside, Davies slotting the kick to complete his 16 point haul. In a frantic and nail biting final five minutes, Aber threw everything at Llangwm but they were not to be denied a precious victory.

The final whistle brought sheer delight to the faces of the Llangwm players, who now move on to the final on 8^th January where they meet near neighbours Neyland, who beat Tenby 18-10, to battle for the silverware.

Llangwm Youth: Harry Makepeace, Lucas Chamberlain, Dom Asson, Ieuan Gray, Flynn Tjoonk, Owen Phelps, Iwan Davies, Charlie Wilson, Solomon Oxenham, Aled Rogers, Seth Willington, Jake Thomas, Joe Phillips, Evan Thomas, Arwyn O’Loughlin (Capt). Replacement: Matthew Charles.

Aberystwyth Youth: Euros Lloyd: Iwan Morris; Will Beckham; Alex Spollen; Harvey Lloyd: Gwion Hefin; Owen Pugh: Iwan Lewis; Llyr Davies; Will Thomas: Owen Jones; Osian James: Dion James; Aeron Gwynne; Shane Evans. Replacements: Adam Bradley; Gerwyn Jones; Fred Denning; Ieuan Breeze; Sion Griffiths; Guto James.

**Photographs courtesy of Adrian Davies.**