In an entertaining game in Tenby, where both sides were prepared to throw the ball around, a share of the spoils was probably a fair result.
Pembrokeshire outscored Cowbridge by five tries to four but were chasing the game late on. They piled on the pressure though and a last minute effort from Ifan Phillips, converted by Sion Edwards, secured a draw.
Cowbridge had moved into an early 12-0 lead thanks to a brace of tries from No. 8 Jack Davies. Fly half Tyler Williams had converted the second of Davies’ scores but Pembrokeshire hit back to go into the interval ahead by three points with Ryan Joseph, Luke Conbeer and scrum half Lewys Gibby all diving over.
The second half saw Cowbridge start with a bang as wing Harri Thomas and skipper Dan Holder added to their tally. But when Phillips responded, the home side were back in with a shout. Pembrokeshire had to push hard late on but Phillips’ second ensured a draw.
The early exchanges had seen the powerful Cowbridge pack to the fore and it wasn’t long before Davies was shunted over from a line out close to the Pembrokeshire line. Williams’ conversion hit the post but he was more successful second time round after Davies had completed his brace.
At 12-0 down, Pembrokeshire looked up against it but they rallied impressively with prop Joseph crashing over. Edwards missed the conversion and saw a penalty effort drift well wide but his side were fighting well to overturn their deficit.
And before half time, they dramatically turned things around to move ahead. Conbeer dived over in the left corner after being found by Gibby before the latter added Pembrokeshire’s third try. With Cowbridge on the attack, Conbeer intercepted a loose pass and raced the length of the field. The wing was scragged just short of the line but found Gibby in support to score.
Pembrokeshire’s resilience had to be admired but no sooner had the second half kicked off than they were behind again.
Thomas ran in under the sticks following a quick tap penalty before Holder made Cowbridge’s lead look comfortable. Williams had converted both scores and the visitors looked to be heading for victory.
It was not to be though and Phillips’ late double, either side of a penalty from Williams, secured the draw.
Watch full highlights of today’s WRU Wedensday Under 18 game on Rygby Pawb on S4C tonight at 10.30pm.
Scorers:
Cowbridge Comprehensive: Tries: Davies (2), Thomas, Holder; Convs: Williams (3); Pens: Williams
Pembrokeshire Schools: Tries: Joseph, Conbeer, Gibby, Phillips (2); Convs: Edwards (2)
