Rugby Feature:


 

Youth rugby in Pembrokeshire parades its talents

Pembrokeshire Youth Rugby enjoyed its moment in the limelight last week as the Youth Cup Final, between league champions Aberystwyth and runners-up Haverfordwest, plus the Plate Final, between Narberth and Neyland, were enjoyed by large crowds who appreciated the high skill levels on view, that are promoted by excellent coaches from all four clubs.


 

Youth Cup Final:

 

Harvey shines as Young Blues reverse league form over Aber

 

Aberystwyth 12 - Haverfordwest 23

 
Referee: Kevin P Evans
Assistants: Gary Wilkes & Shane Abbott
Venue: Heywood Lane, Tenby
 
Haverfordwest RFC Youth team are deserved youth cup champions for the second season in succession after beating old rivals Aberystwyth at Heywood Lane, Tenby, in an entertaining clash that saw the Young Blues gain revenge for two league defeats against the mid-Wales outfit, including a heavy 49-21 loss a few weeks ago.
 
Since then, however, Aber have had just one league fixture and looked a little ring-rusty, and were guilty of taking wrong options as they were put under real pressure by a totally-committed Blues’ team which tackled like demons, applied pressure and forced the pace in the second half, where they had trailed 12-8 at the break but Aber rarely reached their opponents’ 22 thereafter.
 
In that competitive first half, Aber scored quality tries from winger Steffan Mieczek and outstanding skipper Henry Michell, who was a giant up front as he worked well with No 8 Mikey Whistance, Gwion Pugh, Gethin Davies and Harri Turnpenny, plus half backs Toby Wilcockson and Tomas James, with full back Steff Jones landing one conversion.
 
Leading the way for Haverfordwest was inspirational No 8 Harvey Thomas, who was back from his studies at Llandovery College and was involved in all his team did, especially with regard to taking chances as he scored The Blues only try in the first half alongside a Liam Hughes’ penalty, and added two more after flanker Caio Jones also touched down as reward for his tireless work in collusion with Jack Robinson and Harvey Thomas.
 
But this was anything but a one-man show because their front row of Josh Slater, Ollie Warlow and especially captain Harri Evans was immense, with Evans eventually joined in the front row by Rhys Phelps, who added a real physical presence after gaining senior experience with Haverfordwest’s first team, with Finn Bruins and Ewan Griffiths working tirelessly in the close exchanges.
 
Fortunes really changed after the interval as The Blues’ pack took the game by the scruff of its neck and their second try came from Caio Jones, plus another two from Harvey Jones after good work by Manny Davies and Isaac Mills in midfield, and a constant threat posed wide out by Geoff Luff, Gethin Thomas and Connor Wesley – and at the heart of all that The Blues did were half backs Hughes and Alfie Thomas.
 
So Haverfordwest must have delighted coaches Steve Parry, Tom Merediht, Adrian Smith and Niall Smith – and there was a second taste of silverware for a number of the squad because they were again led by Harri Evans in helping Haverfordwest High School win the Welsh Schools’ Vase competition just days later!
 

Aberystwyth: Steffan James; Mina Meggley; Deri Gwynne; Josh Cooper; Steffan Mieczek: Tomos James; Toby Wilcockson; Gethin Davies; Hari Turnpenny; Jayden  Erasmus: Henry Michell (Capt); Ewan Jones:  Maris Raggett; Gwion Pugh;  Mikey Whistance. Replacements: Alfie Davies; Osian Merry; Iolo James; Noa Elias Jones; Llyr Morris; Gavin Pugh; Dominik Gasior; Iago Evans. Travelling Reserve:  Noa Cheggaf
Coaches: Dafydd Pugh Evans; Mark Holohan;  Kieran Gregory;
First Aider: Kieran Gregory

 
Haverfordwest: Connor Wesley: Gethin Thomas; Isaac Mills; Manny Davies;  George Luff; Liam Hughes: Alfie Thomas: Josh Slater; Ollie Warlow; Harri Evans (Capt): Finn Bruins; Ewan Griffiths: Jack Robinson; Caio Jones; Harvey Thomas. Replacements: Lucas Albrey; Henry Backen; Will Harries; Tyler John; Logan Symmonds;  Connor Simmonds; Ewan Owen; Iestyn Preddy. Reserve:  Charlie Hughes.
Coaches: Stephen Parry, Tom Sterling;  Adrian Smith &  Niall Smith
Team Manager: Phillipa Evans
First Aider: Rory Robinson