Youth Rugby:

  

 

Haverfordwest Youth 24 - Whitland Youth 22

 
The value to local clubs of playing floodlit Friday evening matches on international weekends was again in evidence as Haverfordwest Youth took on their counterparts from Whitland in an absorbing clash in front of a large and vociferous crowd that any club would welcome on a Saturday afternoon.
 
And both squads of young players certainly didn’t let their coaches down as they produced lots of running rugby in a game played at a high pace, with plenty of pace, total commitment – and a lead which changed hands a few times before a late Haverfordwest try by replacement Rhys Kennard hauled them level and the conversion from outside half Ashton O’Riorden gave the home side a narrow victory.
 
There were big tackles aplenty at the start as both teams sought the advantage up front but it was Haverfordwest who took the lead when Whitland lost possession on the left touchline and home centre Iestyn Doble showed his running ability as he sped to the corner flag and around to the posts for an opportunist score which O’Riorden converted.
 
The Whitland pack had power aplenty via Jack Worthing, Tom Monk, Jack Jenkins and Toby Rees and they opened their account after several thrusts for the line saw brave covering by Meirion Thomas, Jack Hale and Max Rozblat halted when a tapped penalty saw Jack Worthing plough over for an unconverted try.
 
The Young Borderers continued to look sharp as Morgan Williams and Lennon Reynolds kicked them into promising positions and eventually Ethan Ryan scored a try which Lennon Reynolds converted to nudge his side 12-7 ahead.




 
But there was still time before the interval for The Young Blues to draw level as a period of pressure ended with flanker Ashton Doyle claiming an unconverted corner try.
 
The second half was just as evenly contested as Haverfordwest scored a good try by winger Evan Curtis but Whitland regained the initiative with tries by powerful second row Jamie Phillips and centre Tyler Reynolds, both unconverted.
 
And then came those fateful final minutes when Kennard pounced and O’Riorden added the vital extra points to end a game where Haverfordwest were delighted by their bonus-point victory and Whitland with two bonus points for their four tries and hard work in pushing Haverfordwest all the way!

*The Haverfordwest man of the match was Iestyn Doble and he was chosen by 13 year olds Leo Rozblat and Tiao Hein.*
 
Haverfordwest Youth: Kiran Mason: Evan Curtis; Iestyn Doble; Gabriel Thicker; Huw Evans:  Ashton O’Riorden; Isaac  Kelso-Jones: Teifion Owen; Iori Curtis; Ollie Copeland:  Max Rozblat; Jamie Phillips: Meirion Thomas; Ashton Doyle; Jack Hale. Replacements:  Owain Morris; George Venables; Sam Sims; Kai Robinson; Rhys Kennard; Alfie Kehoe; Toby Price; Kieran Lewis; Lewis Parry.
 
Whitland Youth:  Jake Williams: Ethan Sapsford; Monty Milton; Tyler Reynolds; Ieuan Hill: Lennon Reynolds; Morgan Williams: Jack Worthing; Daniel Howells; Tom Monk: Jack Jenkins; Ethan Ryan: Joshua Clarke; Jack Morris; Toby Rees. Replacements: Harrison Lloyd; Aeron Williams; Rhys Mayes; Tecwyn Thomas.