Young Otters are Llanelli Regional champions!

Scarlets Youth Cup final:

Narberth Youth 8 - Llandeilo Youth 7

The Coronavirus pandemic may have brought a premature end to the WRU season – but not before Narberth Youth became champions of the Scarlets region by beating Llandeilo!

Just days before the campaign was suspended last month, the Young Otters came through a titanic tussle in horrendous conditions at Carmarthen Park so it meant they added the Scarlets crown to the Pembrokeshire League title they’d already secured, but unfortunately never got the chance to face the winners of the North Wales region.

Had they triumphed in that clash, they would have gone into a tournament against winners from Ospreys, Blues, and Dragons, with the final at the Principality Stadium.

Otters in front at half time . . . and defend well against the elements

Against Llandeilo, they kicked off with the wind and rain in their favour and led 5-0 early on through a cracking try from Jordan James after flanker Josh Hamer instigated the score, breaking free out wide before putting in a clever kick - and after The Otters regathered possession, a series of rucks culminated in James sniping over from close range.

No 10 Harri Harries was off target with the conversion, but then defied the weather to land a penalty and make it 8-0.

The Carmarthenshire Youth League winners fought back after the break with a converted try to bring them within a point – but with second row Harri Rees dominating in the lineout stakes, it was Narberth who controlled possession in the latter stages to seal a narrow win.

Win leaves Randel and Shane proud of the entire squad

And it gave coach Randel Evans and team manager Shane Higgon ample reason to be proud.

“It was a horrible night and they were a very good side,” said Evans.

“It was such a hard game but everyone played superbly for us. Even after they got their try we defended very well.

“Obviously we now won’t get a chance to go for the Principality Stadium and that’s disappointing for the boys. There was the Pembrokeshire Cup to come as well and we had some hard games ahead – but given the conditions that were coming I think our best displays were ahead of us.”

Evans however, didn’t want that to detract from a good campaign for the squad, who also reached a WRU Cup quarter final.

“It’s been a very positive season. And I hope some of these players will now go on and play for the senior side for years to come.”

Narberth Youth: Ioan Evans, Owen Llewellyn, Ryan Scourfield, Harvey Jones, Leon Whalley, Harri Harries, Jordan James, Jac Norcross, Tom Clarke, Kaleb Higgon, Harri Rees, Aled Davies, Josh Hamer, Nathan Foster, Dafydd Gibby. Replacements: Ifan Rees, Ieuan Barnes, Owain Hughes, Osian Phillips, Ioan Phillips, Dylan Walsh, Rhodri Gerrard.