Welsh Youth Cup - Last 16 Round:

 

Great comeback sees Young Otters reach the quarter-finals

 

Llandeilo Youth 23 - Narberth Youth 23
(Narberth go through as away team)

 
Narberth Youth travelled to Llandeilo on Saturday to play in the last 16 of the Welsh Cup and showed real will to win after trailing in the first half.
 
Llandeilo had won all their games this season so Narberth went into this game knowing only a strong performance would suffice and the home team came out strong from the start and Narberth defended their line heroically for 25 minutes.
 

Home side set up a large lead

 
Llandeilo sent wave after wave of attacks only to be repulsed by the young Otters with turnover king Wil Nicholas jackling some vital ball – but the pressure finally told and Llandeilo scored two late tries to go in half time leading 14-3 with Wil Nicholas having kicked a long range penalty for the Young Otters.
 
Things went from bad to worse early in the second half with another Llandeilo try and a penalty. Narberth were now facing down the barrel of a big loss but somewhere however, the Otters dug deep and started their epic come-back.
 

Terrific fight-back by Young Otters

 
Storming runs from the outstanding Iestyn Comey and the hugely talented Kyle Day put them on the front foot and from that point on it was Llandeilo who were defending. Narberth were generating fast ball from the tireless work of Joel Davies, James Morgan and Harry Harries – and first to score was Joel Davies from close range, followed by another short range effort by James Morgan, both converted by Wil Nicholas.
 
There was three minutes left with the score stood at 22-17 and Narberth were camped in their own 22 but superb passing and ferocious rucking saw them work their way into the opposition 22.
 
Slick handling saw the hard running Dan Jones crash over to level the score on the final whistle and although the difficult conversion was missed it didn’t matter because the hard-earned draw meant a jubilant Narberth were through to the last 8 on the away draw rule.
 
It was extremely difficult to choose man of the match with every player making an outstanding contribution. However it was given to captain Shay Norcross who led the team superbly, and had a storming match both in defence and attack. 

Narberth Youth: Dan Jones: Luke Valence; Brad Cramb; George Jones; Max Morgan: Shane Norcross; Elliot Evans: Joel Davies; Harley Young; James Morgan: Harry Harries; Hugo Kessels: Will Nicholas; Kyle Day; Iestyn Comey.






 
 

Welsh Youth Plate:

 

Crymych Youth too strong for Baglan

 

Crymych Youth 48 - Baglan Youth 5

 
Crymych Youth marched into the quarter finals of the Welsh Plate competition as they proved far to strong and committed for their counterparts from Baglan as they ran in seven tries to their opponents’ one.
 
The launch pad for Crymych’s win was undoubtedly the power of their pack as Richard Phillips, Dan Page and Tol Alleyne forming a formidable front row that also featured in the loose as page led the way with three tries.
 
Crymych Youth: Owain Davies: Ellis James; Dylan Scott; Deian Davies; Dyfrig Dellar: Gruff Edwards; Iori Lewis:  Richard Phillips; Dan Page; Tol Alleyne: Steff Morris; Bryn Thomas: Huw Reed; Jac Delaney; Iestyn Wood (Capt). Replacements: Rhys Jones; Kyle Kempson; Jake Knoot; Luke Allsworth; Iolo Phillips.
 







 

Welsh Youth Bowl:

 

Young Wasps snatch quarter-final as reward for commitment

 

St Julian’s HSOB 17 - Llangwm 18

 
As an avid Llangwm old boy told us, “Any away win is a good win” and this was certainly no exception as The Young Wasps travelled to Newport to take on a strong St Julian’s High School Old Boys’ youth team and came away victorious by a single point after a pulsating final few moments.
 
Llangwm had looked comfortable at 15-10 ahead with just a short time to go but then their opponents, playing at Caerleon RFC’s ground, grabbed a with a converted try to lead 17-15 and looking to move into the last eight.
 
But then The Young Wasps made one last effort and with the referee having just looked at his watch he awarded them a penalty and up stepped centre Fletcher Picton to calmly slot the three points needed to send them back to Pembrokeshire with a deserved win.
 
Llangwm played playing well to lead 10-3 at half time as the front five of Aled Rogers, Charlie Wilson, Matthew Cole and especially hooker Lloyd Stephens and second row Arwyn O’Loughlin played their hearts out against powerful opposition.
 
The back row of Sam Rickwood, Flynn Tjoonk and Joe Phillips was equally committed and they helped create the platform for half backs Lucas Chamberlain and Harry Makepeace to put them in position for a try from Matthew Cole with full back Iwan Davies converting as Picton also landed a penalty and there was some good work in defence by Liam Rees, Ieuan Gray and Aaron John.
 
Picton grabbed an unconverted try after the break but St Julian’s played well and eventually established the lead despite the yeoman efforts of Jake Thomas and Alfie Elrick after they came off the bench.
 
But then came that last-gasp penalty that left the hosts disappointed to lose – but the win making the long home journey really worthwhile for the battling Young Wasps.
 
Llangwm: Iwan Davies: Liam Rees; Ieuan Gray; Fletcher Picton; Aaron John: Harry Makepeace; Lucas Chamberlain: Aled Rogers; Lloyd Stephens; Charlie Wilson: Arwyn O’Loughlin; Matthew Cole: Sam Rickwood; Flynn Tjoonk; Joe Phillips. Replacements: Jake Thomas; Owen Phelps; Alfie Elrick.








 



 

Borderers Youth ease through to Bowl last eight

 

Whitland Youth 15 - Llangennech Youth 14

 
Congratulations to Whitland Youth as they overcame a determined challenge from their counterparts from Llangennech and played throughout with a commitment that will have pleased coach Shane Williams.
 
Whitland Youth: Jake Williams: Ollie Bujega; Monty Milton; Tyler Reynolds; Ieuan Hill:
Lennon Reynolds; Luc Owen: Jack Worthing; Daniel Howells; Harrison Lloyd: Ethan Ryan; Tecwyn Thomas: Jack Jenkins; Joshua Clarke; Toby Rees; Lewis Jones. Replacements: Joshua Clarke; Morgan Williams.