Welsh Rugby Union - Lacey lashes Pooler as the Amman keep U18 Boys title in west Wales

Two seasons after revitalising their Youth team Amman United found themselves crowned WRU U18 Boys Cup winners at the ‘Go Compare Road to Principality 2026’ series with a 30-13 victory against Pontypool United.

It was a second defeat in a row for Pontypool, who were pipped at the death by Llandeilo last year, but they were always chasing this game and were beaten by the better team, who outscored them by three tries to one.

It quickly turned into a classic East v West Wales clash with players flying into tackles and no quarter being asked and definitely not given. Amman United had to put in a huge defensive set in the opening minutes and co-captain Ceian Lewis set the tone with a monster hit just outside his 22 that sent the first Pooler raider careering backwards.

When the Amman got their hands on the ball for their first offensive set it was a similar story with Pontypool United’s midfield duo of Lewis Appleby and Charlie Gregory felling anything that moved.

Amman drew first blood with a third minute penalty from outside half Toby Slater and his opposite number Tom Howard replied with his second shot in two minutes to level in the 19^th minute. It really was nip and tuck all the way through and Pooler hit the front when Howard kicked a second penalty on the half-hour mark.

With the half-time interval fast approaching, Amman rolled the dice by kicking a penalty 35 metres out deep into the right hand corner. The line out was won but there was a knock on in the drive for the line.

That looked as though the chance to hit the front had gone, but a scrum penalty gave them another shot. This time a tap penalty move five metres out opened up a gap for Wales U18 back row man Cole Lacey to charge through to score at the posts.

Slater added the extras and it was 10-6 to Amman United at the break. Better was to come four minutes into the second half when centre James Bentley picked off a Howard pass on his 22 and spec 70 metres to the line at the other end.

This time Carter Williams added the conversion and for the first time in the game there was clear daylight between the two teams. Not for long, though.

Pontypool united co-captain Reuben Malsom used his considerable frame to charge over from a five metre penalty and Howard’s conversion cut the gap to four points.

But that was as good as it got for the proud Gwent side. The continued failings of their line out kept on costing them and Amman picked up their third try from a solid scrum on the 22 after Pooler had kicked out on the full from a drop out 22.

Smart handling down the narrow side of the scrum enabled wing Aled Davies to race over. Williams converted and then added a second penalty for good measure to join his famous father and coach, Shane, as a winner at the home of Welsh rugby.

Scorers: Pontypool United: Try: Reuben Malson; Con: Tom Howard; Pens: Tom Howard 2. Amman United: Tries: Cole Lacey, James Bentley, Aled Davies; Cons: Carter Williams 2, Toby Slater; Pens: Carter Williams 2, Toby Slater

TEAMS

Pontypool United: Jack McDonagh; Luca Grocott-Mason, Lewis Appleby, Charlie Gregory, Alfie Prosser; Thomas Howard, Daniel Parker; Logan Leonard, Cae Jones (co-captain), Scott Crewe, Ralph Evans, Reuben Malson (co-captain), Rudi Creel, Bailey Stride, Jake Sheppard
Reps: Ieuan Hockaday, George Jones, Max Jacob, Dewi Bainton, Coel Adams, Lewis Jenkins, Charlie Burrows, Danny Hutchinson

Amman United: Cian Evans; Carter Williams, James Bentley, Kennedy Richards (co-captain), Aled Davies; Toby Slater, Iwan Bull; Ceian Lewis (co-captain), Griff Rees, David Thomas, Tom James, Dyfan Llewelyn, Cole Lacey, Jac Cloke, Hefin Davies
Reps: Reagan Griffiths, Flynn Ahearne, Harvey Duncan, Josh Doorbar, Evan Whiles, Iwan Griffiths, Tomos Bull, Ioan Booth