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Scarlets U18 kick-off defence of title in style

Gryff Watkins scored a hat-trick for the Scarlets U18 side

Scarlets U18 kick-off defence of title in style

Llandovery College skipper Gryff Watkins helped himself to a hat-trick of tries as Scarlets U20 got the defence of their Regional Academies U18 title off to a flying start against Cardiff Rugby in Llandovery.

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Having sat out the first round the young Scarlets got up to speed pretty quickly as they ran in a magnificent seven tries in a 51-19 triumph. As well as the Watkins hat-trick there were also tries for Dom Kossouth, Harri Davies, Sion Jones and Llyr James.

Wales U18 outside half Carwyn Leggatt-Jones controlled proceedings for the home side and kicked four conversions and two penalties. Rhun Davies added a fifth conversion.

“You never know how the first game is going to go, but it was a good start for us. After getting a feel for the game in the opening 10 minutes, everyone put in maximum effort,” said Scarlets’ head coach Tom Phillips.

“Some people were suggesting it was a record score against Cardiff, but it was never easy. They were in the contest well into the second half and they will only get better after this.

“But all our guys played for the badge and the team. There are still parts of our game that need improvement, and we left a few opportunities out there.

“The captain Osian Williams put in an exceptional effort, Sion Jones was excellent at full back and Gryff got a hat-trick of tries. And Carwyn controlled things really well for us at outside half.

“We’ve got 15 players back from last year’s squad, which always helps and there are definitely a few candidates to become professional players in the future.”

Having won their opening game against RGC, Cardiff head coach Josh Turnbull made seven changes to his side for Round 2. Skipper Alfie Prygodzicz once again came up with a brace of tires from the back row and there was also a try from No 8 Ethan Evans.

Outside half Lloyd Lucas landed two conversions, although their cause wasn’t helped by losing flanker Ben Bora to a yellow card.

The game between RGC and the Dragons had to be switched from Colwyn Bay to Rhyl and it was the visitors who came out on top as they made up for their first round loss at home to the Ospreys. Their 40-12 win contained six tries.

Despite picking up two yellow cards, the young Dragons dominated proceedings and outstanding back row man Tiehi Chatham helped himself to two of the tries. The others came from lock Luke Daniel, scrum half Cai Wardman and wing Ryley Fussell, with Will Ford converting five of them.

RGC, who went down 48-22 at the Arms Park in their opening game, had tries from hooker Rob Jones and centre Gruff Llwyd. Outside half added a conversion.

Scarlets 51 – 19 Cardiff Rugby – Church Bank, Llandovery

Scarlets U18: Sion Jones; Thomas Williams (Jac Jones 65), Gryff Watkins, Harri Davies, Tomos Lewis; Carwyn Jones (Rhun Davies 65), Cellan Allcock (Bowyn Clark 60); Will Davies (Llyr James 40), Jake Bowen (Theo James 60), Teifi Thomas (Nathan Davies 40), Cai Howells, Kai Jones, Osian Williams (captain), Jac Cloke (Hefin Davies 65), Dom Kossuth (Charlie Thomas 35)

Cardiff Rugby U18: Rhys Cummings (Ben Coomer 48); Calen Edwards, Will Adams, Ioan Penry, Finlay Hart (Harrison Nixon 62); Lloyd Lucas, Arthur Garfield (Mason Daniels 54); Vinnay Cleak (Dylan Barratt 41), Tom Howe (Elgan Williams 51), Sion Hill (Jack Clease 41), Sonny McCabe, Gabe Williams, Ben Bora (Niall Moore 54), Alfie Prygodzicz (captain), Ethan Evans (Matt Halsall 48)

RGC 12 – 40 Dragons – Rhyl RFC

RGC U18: Gwern Doherty; Reuben Gordon-Astbury, Gruff Llwyd, Osian Llewelyn, Jac Williams; George Owen, Brychan Gwilym; Logan Goodluck, Robert Jones, Oliver Roe, Charlie Cuckson, William Kellett, Joseph Ryder, Dylan Avery, Gruff Rhys Jones
Reps: Eddie Robertson, Dylan Bufton, Jake Young, Huw Owen, Cameron Harry, Ted Wilson, Alex Orehawa, Archie Talbot

Dragons U18: Joe Salter; Ryley Fussell, Brogan Leary (Ethan Paterson 59), Tegwyn Mahoney (Charlie Greggory 59), Rhys Cole; Will Ford, Cai Wardman (Carter Pritchard 49); Lewys Robinson-Blanche (Regan Jones 53), Tiaan Hall (Chester Creel 44), Max Woodward (Scott Crewe 53), Josh Bradley (Elliott Beavan 49), Luke Daniel, Cerrig Smith (captain), Tiehi Chatham (Josh Parfitt 59), Jake Shepard

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