North Wales, lead by Caernarfon’s Yasmin Leung, opened the scoring in the early minutes with a fine individual effort by second row Elin Jones (Pwhelli). Great defensive work by Llandudno player Emma Beaumont resulted in a turnover and the first try for captain Leung. A staunch defence kept up the pressure after some excellent work by the East backs, but a turn over resulted in a try for Nant Conwy’s Ellen Jones. Leung finished the first half with an outstanding individual try to bring the score to 4 – 0. The second half continued in the same fashion with the three try scores from the first half each bagging one more, and Caernarfon hooker Glain Gryffyth scoring a try after great support play form Colwyn Bay’s Jade Pickering and Llandudno’s Jessica McDonald. The final score was 8 – 0 to North Wales
East Wales U16 v North Wales U16
The opening minutes saw the East pack dominate the north and put pressure on their try line. Excellent defence by Nant Conwy’s Isabella Jones and Sian Williams (Mold) kept the East at bay. Once the North got possession an excellent individual effort by full back Rachel Roberts (Nant Conwy) resulted in a try, which was converted by Captain Mared Evans (Caernarfon). The North regained possession after the restart and spread the ball wide. A blistering run from the half way by Harlech player Lowri Evans resulted in a try, which was converted by M. Evans. The North remained dominant despite strong running by East Wales’ Tanya Davies. M. Evans, playing out of position at fly-half, broke through the East defence to score under the posts, which she converted. With the North having superior pace out wide, they once again spread the ball, with Bala winger Lliwen Roberts finishing an excellent passage of interplay between backs and forwards. The try was also converted by M. Evans. Excellent support play by Sara Jones (Nant Conwy) resulted in a try for her club mate Rhian Gwawr-Davies which was converted by M. Evans. The score at half time was 35 – 0 to North Wales.
The second half proved to be a much more even contest with the East Wales pack taking it to the North Wales girls. East Wales No. 8 proved a handful from the back of the scrum. Despite this early pressure, excellent defensive work by second row Sara Patchett (Caernarfon) and hooker Aranwen Griffiths (Bala) resulted in a turn over and try for M. Evans. Constant pressure on the North’s try line by the East Wales pack resulted in a well-deserved try. The battle for possession was fierce, the difference between the two sides being better use of possession by the North Wales backs, which resulted in a further try for Roberts. Bala centre Ceri Redman was rewarded with two tries after excellent defensive work forced errors from the East Wales backs. Both were converted by M. Evans. The final score was 59 – 5 to North Wales.
