The West Wales U13 Squad out-muscled the North Wales team with an excellent 5-2 victory. The West Wales players were much more physical in the ruck and maul which turned over a lot of possession. Despite some excellent defensive work by Emma Beaumont (Llandudno RFC) and Ellen Jones (Nant Conwy) the West opened the scoring after only a few minutes. Two more tries from the West followed, with a late reply from scrum-half Lowri Wynn (Caernarfon RFC) to bring the half-time score to 3-1. The second half was a much tighter affair, with the North playing a more expansive game with some excellent handling form Yasmin Leung (Caernarfon RFC) and great work in the contact by Caryl Jones (Nant Conwy). Elin Jones (Pwhelli RFC) finished was rewarded with a try, with the West getting two more scored against the run of play. The final score was 5-2 to West Wales.
North Wales U16 v West Wales U16
The game started with the North dominating possession and territory, but both sides displayed a range of skills which kept the crowd entertained for the whole match. The North Wales backline directed by Dyddgu Hywel (Nant Conwy) at fly half, showed pace and precision which resulted in a try for outside centre Lowri Evans (Dolgellau/Harlech). Despite the West having a larger pack, a good display of scrimmaging by loose head prop Isabella Jones (Nant Conwy) and tight head Llio Jones (Bala) ensured the North won all of their own scrum possession and managed to steal a few off the opposition. Hywel created North’s next score with an excellent chip kick over the West’s defence which was gather by Sara Jones (Nant Conwy) to score. The West kept the pressure on with some excellent work by welsh U16 locks Rhian Breeze and Beth Hawke, but turnover ball on the North try line saw a length of the field try after a breakout by North blindside Sara Jones and finished superbly by Welsh centre Ceri Redman (Bala). The try was converted by Hywel. The West finished the half with a two tries to bring the score at the break to 17-10 to North Wales. The second half saw the West back-row combination of Welsh U16 players Lisa Newton and Natalie Walsh come into their own, both scoring excellent tries off set moves. Newton was involved in West’s final try after a grubber kick into the in-goal area was gathered by outstanding young fullback Sammy Morgan to bring the final score to 25-17 to West Wales. Wales U16 coach Kylie Wilson commented after the game that “the standard of play from both sides was superb, probably the highest I have seen at this level. The talent on show today will ensure this seasons Welsh U16 squad will be strong, fast and very skilful”.
