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Coleg Gwent continue to dominate the girls’ Welsh Schools and Colleges Under 18 league with a fifth title being crowned at Principality Stadium with a convincing 51-5 victory over Coleg y Cymoedd.
The defending champions were in no mood to relinquish their grasp on the title, running in nine tries as their unbeaten record for the season remained firmly intact.
Cymoedd’s opening try in the second minute by flanker Seren Thomas stung the firm favorites into action. It took only two minutes for Grace Boyd to plough over to level the scores but once Tegan Bendall scored after an intricate move, there was only going to be one winner.
The underdogs tackled gamely and did well to prevent an avalanche of tries in the first half and did well to restrict Coleg Gwent to 15-5 at the break after Tai Jones rumbled over for a third try.
Marshalled superbly by halfback pairing Lily Hawkins and Kacey Morkot, Coleg Gwent were constantly on the front foot in the second half to completely dominated proceedings.
Hawkins may have been the smallest player on the pitch, but she gave Morkot a dream ride behind a dominant pack. When she wasn’t sniping from the base and keeping Cynmoedd’s back row honest, she was firing out bullet-like passes to her backline to keep momentum going.
Morkot opened the second half scoring with a well taken try before winger Addison Werner, flanker Amelia Bailey and No 8 Grace Boyd scoring with Tia Jones adding a second to her first half effort.
Player of the match Hawkins was quick to praise the efforts of her teammates in a ruthless performance.
“It’s great to get out on the pitch and have another win with the girls, not only with my teammates but my friends too, we’re a great bunch on and off the field.
“I’m sure there are going to be things with the girls aren’t happy with but that just shows what a good team we are. We’ll all have things we’ll want to work on after this game.
“It’s just unreal to play at the national stadium. Some of the girls have been here a few times now but it never gets old, it’s always great to play here.”
The ‘Road to Principality’ (RTP) rugby festival has returned for the 2024/25 season, with Go.Compare continuing as lead sponsor.
The event brings together youth rugby and inclusive teams from across Wales to celebrate the sport’s vibrant community spirit, while providing a platform for future stars to shine.
Go.Compare, a leading provider of comparison services, is continuing to support the Welsh Rugby’s community rugby festival for the second consecutive year.
The central concept for RTP is for community sides to be able to follow in the footsteps of their heroes and experience playing on the hallowed turf of Principality Stadium as it hosts a range of finals and climactic clashes in a given season.
In the 2024/25 season, RTP will expand into regional club grounds as hosts for some matches.
“We are delighted to continue our partnership with the RTP Community Rugby Festival,” said Lee Griffin, co-founder and CEO of Go.Compare. “As one of the biggest rugby festivals in Europe, it’s a great opportunity to support grassroots rugby and bring local clubs, young players, professional players and the fans together in one tournament.
“Rugby is deeply intertwined with the Welsh identity so, as a Welsh brand, we understand the importance of celebrating its heritage and making sure that we are directly supporting those links between grassroots clubs and professional rugby.”
The rugby extravaganza which engages over 2,000 players year-on-year will continue into December with four more matches. The Welsh Schools Senior Group ‘Champion of Champions’, Boys U18s Final and the covetable Dewar Shield U16’s, Boys Final all at Principality Stadium on the Tuesday 10th December, followed by the Girl’s Hubs U16s and U18s National Cup Finals on Saturday 14th December.
The festival features exciting matches between local clubs, schools, and youth teams, showcasing the talent that shapes Welsh rugby at the grassroots level.
More games will be played at alternative venues across Wales. These include regional rugby grounds and SRC clubs ensuring RTP’s reach extends beyond Cardiff to further support the growth of Welsh rugby.
“Rugby is a sport that brings people together” said, WRU Community Director Geraint John, “The success of our RTP rugby festival highlights the incredible talent at grassroots level.
“While Principality Stadium remains the focal point for the event, we are particularly excited to see games played at other venues this year as well, ensuring the festival truly reaches communities from across the country.
“We understand there maybe some disappointment that not everyone will get to play at our National Stadium but we aim to make it a fantastic experience for people and players.
“We’re thankful to our regional professional clubs and Super Rygbi Cymru venues for their support and we look forward to sharing the full schedule and venues for the 2025 season climax in New Year.”
Promotion of RTP is part of a longstanding partnership with S4C, which will cover the Schools and Colleges matches, Academy U18s and Finals Days via its Clwb Rygbi programme. The Women’s Finals Day will also be broadcast on S4C with English commentary available.
Carys Owens, Managing Director, Whisper Cymru, which produces Clwb Rygbi for S4C, said, “This collaboration is a vital part of Whisper Cymru’s commitment to sharing grassroots rugby stories and showcasing emerging talent to fans around the world.
“We are incredibly passionate about providing a platform to highlight the Welsh rugby pathway within Wales and the bright new talent that’s shaping the future of the sport.
“As the Clwb Rygbi brand continues to evolve, Whisper Cymru is thrilled to announce that this production will play a key role in the continuation of the Whisper Academy training pathway. The initiative will focus on developing the next generation of sports production talent, helping to secure the future of high-quality sports broadcasting.”
RTP Schedule 2025
Thursday December 5th (S4C Broadcast) Principality Stadium
Welsh Schools & Colleges (WSC) National Conference – Girls U18’s Final
Saturday December 14th Principality Stadium
Girls Hubs – U16s National Cup Final Cardiff Quins Pink v Môn Stars (KO 1.30)
Girls Hubs – U18s National Cup FinalCardiff Quins v Nelson Belles (u18 Girls Cup) (KO 5.15)
December – Venue TBC
Girls Hubs – U16’s Plate Final
Girls Hubs – U18s Plate Final
Sunday March 30th Principality Stadium
Adult Women’s – Bowl Final
Adult Women’s – Plate Final
Adult Women’s – Cup Final
March/April – Venue TBC
Girls Schools – U12 Cup Final
Girls Schools – U14 Cup Final
Girls Schools – U16 Cup Final
Girls Schools – U18 Cup Final
Fe enillodd Senghenydd gystadleuaeth y Bowlen yn gyfforddus wrth drechu Ffynnon Taf o 57-14.
Asgellwr yw Courtney Greenway fel arfer – ond hi lywiodd y chwarae o safle anghyfarwydd y maswr yn Stadiwm Principality – wrth lywio ei thîm at fuddugoliaeth gofiadwy.
Mae Greenway bellach yn aelod o garfan Gwalia Lightning ac ‘roedd ei doniau’n amlwg i bawb wrth iddi sgorio tri chais a chyfanswm o 21 pwynt – sicrhaodd wobr Seren y Gêm (Go.Compare) yn haeddiannol iddi.
Llwyddodd ei chapten, Rafique Taylor dirio deirgwaith hefyd – ac mae ganddi bellach fedal am ennill y Bowlen a medal am ennill y Cwpan ei hun – gan iddi gynrychioli tîm llwyddiannus Pontyclun yn ôl yn 2023.
Taylor, sy’n 41 oed erbyn hyn, agorodd y sgorio gyda rhediad 60 metr i gysgod y pyst ac fe arweiniodd yr hyder ddeilliodd o’r cais hwnnw at geisiau pellach i Greenway a Kayley Smith cyn i Taylor groesi am yr eildro.
Ataliodd mewnwr Ffynnon Taf, lif ceisiau Senghenydd am gyfnod, wrth iddi hi agor cyfrif ei thîm ac fe drosodd Jade Edwards hwnnw’n gywir.
Ond erbyn yr egwyl, ‘roedd cais yr wythwr amryddawn Hollie Dempsey wedi rhoi mantais o 36-7 i fenywod Sir Caerffili.
Sioe Greenway oedd hi ar ddechrau’r ail gyfnod wrth iddi dirio’i hail gais gwta 4 munud wedi’r ail-ddechrau. Ond ‘roedd y gorau eto i ddod ganddi, wrth i Greenway redeg am 70 metr er mwyn hawlio’i thrydydd cais o’r ornest.
Roedd ei throsi’n effeithiol hefyd wrth iddi ychwanegu chwephwynt pellach wedi ei dau gais diweddaraf a thrydydd ei chapten – olygodd bod mantais Senghenydd yn 57-7 wedi bron i awr o chwarae.
Dangos dycnwch unwaith eto wnaeth Ffynnon Taf – a nhw gafodd y dylanwad olaf ar y sgorfwrdd – wrth i’r eilydd Sarah Grant groesi am ail gais ei thîm – wnaeth gwaith Edwards o drosi’n gymharol syml.
Bydd Senghenydd yn troi eu golygon tuag at geisio hawlio’r dwbl. Gyda thair gêm o’r tymor yn weddill yng Nghynghrair y Dwyrain, maen nhw ar y brig o bwynt gan eu bod wedi ennill pob un o’u pum gêm hyd yn hyn y tymor hwn.
Three first half tries from their devastating wing duo of Ceulyn Davies and Oliwia Bakowaka steered Burry Port to a stunning WRU Women’s Cup Final triumph at Principality Stadium.
Having been knocked out at the semi-final stage last season, and being beaten in the 2023 Plate Final, the west Wales side went all the way this time in #RTP25 as they led from start to finish to beat Bonymaen 34-243.
Right wing Davies scored twice and Bakowaka once as Burry Port went into the break with a commanding 27-5 lead against a team that had already beaten them once in the WRU Premiership this season.
Davies galloped over in the corner for the first of her side’s six tries in the seventh minute and then centre Darcy Thomas made it 12-0 as she crossed for a try that she also converted. Bonymaen got back into the game with a 14th minute score from prop Tyler Tipene, but that wasn’t enough to stem the tide.
By half-time Burry Port had plundered a further three tries with Davies’ second, a corner effort confirmed by the TMO from Sophie Delaney and then Bakowaka’s sprint finish.
Bonymaen were done yet and actually won the try count in the second half 3-1, but they were always playing catch-up after falling behind by 22 points. Ffion Clarke turned on the after burners to score Bony’s second try, but Rhiannon Griffin snapped up an interception score for Burry Port that Thomas improved to make it 34-10 after 55 minutes.
Bonymaen staged a grandstand finish that included tries from centre Lucy Rees and No 8 Tili Hopkins, both of which were converted by full back Rhian Jenkins, but it was too little, too late to stop them from falling to defeat.
WRU WOMEN’S CUP FINAL
Burry Port: Rhian Jenkins; Ceulyn Davies, Mari Jenkins, Darcy Thomas, Oliwia Bakowaka; Rhiannon Griffin, Keely Evans (captain); Ebony Bennett, Brooke Kerry, Sophie Jones, Roxanne Perego, Sophie Marsh, Kathryn Joseph, Catrina Williams, Ffion Jones
Reps: Carlie Reardon, Carla Giannini, Carys Lewis, Ellie Gravell, Rhyanne O’Hara, Sophie Delaney, Charlotte Stallard, Alice Morgan
Bonymaen: Lily-Anne Roberts; Cerys Beynon, Lucy Rees, Angharad Jones (captain), Seren Croydon; Lauren Smyth, Sophie Moore; Tyler Tipene, Sianon Nolan, Tegan Rumming, Amy Thomas, Cherry Morris, Natalie Murphy, Amy Price, Tili Hopkins
Reps: Bethan Rickard, Taylor Briggs, Karis Stevens, Charlotte Peters, Ffion Clarke, Kirsten Field
GO.COMPARE ‘STAR OF THE MATCH’ – AMY PRICE (BONYMAEN)
They say what doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger and that certainly appeared to be the case for Bethan Howell’s Seven Sisters side as they returned to Principality Stadium a year on from their heavy defeat in the WRU Women’s Cup Final to win the Plate Final 25-15.
Last year’s 85-14 defeat to Llandaff North at the home of Welsh rugby was a particularly painful lesson, but with all bar two of the same starting XV they made the pilgrimage to the Welsh capital once again for #RTP25 and triumphed over Clwb Rygbi Cymry Caerdydd (CRICC).
In a game dominated by the tearaway back row from Seven, in which Melissa Gnojek stood out to earn the Player of the Match award for her two tries, it was Howell’s side who raced into a 12-0 lead with a brace of tries from Gnojek in the space of five minutes.
Outside half Rachel Rees converted the second score before CRICC prop Nia Jones powered over to make it 12-5 at the break and keep the game in the melting pot.
Seven got off to a blistering start to the second half when No 8 Alicia Demery-Goatson drove over for their third try, but CRICC certainly weren’t ready to throw in the towel. Katie Heir grabbed a second try for them and that forced Seven to go for the posts when they received a penalty in the 63rd minute to make it a two score game at 20-10.
Former Wales international Howell then got on the scoresheet with a pick and go try from a couple of metres out to set the seal on victory for her side, although there was a try at the death for the gallant CRICC team when replacement Niah Orlandea went over in the last play of the game.
Seven Sisters: Cerys Bowden; Caitlin Moffatt, Holly Cooper, Jami Davies, Joy Hall; Rachel Rees, Hannah-Mâi Jones; Emma Powson, Kirsten Flower, Bethan Howell (captain), Jenny Adams, Seren O’Neill, Leah Griffiths, Melissa Gnojek, Alicia Demery-Goatson
Reps: Nia Williams, Heledd Lewis, Shae Wallis, Emily Preedy, Victoria Morgan, Jenna Dyckhoff, Jessica Thomas, Caris Llewelyn
CRICC: Mirain Jones; Lydia Marsh, Georigia Liddington, Rhi Gower, Molly Webster; Sophie Longland, Alaw Hughes; Meleri Daniel, Elin Davies, Nia Jones, Anwen Hopkins, Laura Satterly, Maddie Rees, Carys Parry, Georgia Cummings
Reps: Beth Jones, Katie Heir, Sarah Turner, Jude Dowers, Georgina Wren, Zoe Tudor, Niah Orlandea, Catrin Jones
GO.COMPARE ‘STAR OF THE MATCH’ – MEL GNOJEK (SEVEN SISTERS)
Lucy Rees is going to be the busiest women in rugby this weekend as she fills her time with coaching, officiating and finally playing.
The 42-year-old Birchgrove School science and PE teacher will be taking her East Swansea Eagles Hwb players to Cardiff to see the Wales v England Guinness Women’s Six Nations game on Saturday before returning to Principality Stadium on Sunday for a bumper day of action.
But before she even sets out from her Swansea home to head up the M4 to the Welsh capital on Sunday she will have taken a training session in the morning. When she gets to Principality Stadium she will be an assistant referee for the second of three women’s cup finals in the latest round of matches in the ‘Road to Principality 2025’ series of WRU Community events.
Once she has done her duty on the touchline in the Plate Final between Seven Sisters and Clwb Rygbi Cymry Caerdydd, she will race to the Arms Park to join up with her Bonymaen teammates to prepare to play in the Cup Final against Burry Port.
“My head teacher has very kindly given me the day off on Monday, so I should be able to get some rest then. It’s going to be a very exciting weekend,” admitted Evans, who plays at centre for Bonymaen.
“I was a latecomer to rugby at the age of 32 having played hockey for most of my life. An old university friend suggested I give it a go just before Covid hit and I was hooked immediately.
“It was a bit frustrating having to wait during Covid to actually play but I’ve loved it ever since.”
Not that the sport-a-holic confines herself to playing. She got into coaching first and more recently refereeing.
While she admits her playing career is likely to end this season, she still sees her involvement in the game continuing long into the future.
“I decided to do the WRU Level 1 referees course to be able to take charge of games in school and I’ve really enjoyed it. I’ve been doing some Division 2 2nd XV men’s matches as well as women’s games and I hope to push to go as far as I can,” added Rees.
As well as coaching the girls in the East Swansea Eagles Hwb, Rees also coaches the Morriston Ladies team and has started two girl’s teams at school. She has also been involved in coaching the Ospreys U18 side.
“I love the involvement at all levels and I’m just pleased that I discovered rugby and all it has to offer in my thirties. I’m really excited about playing in the Cup Final with Bonymaen, but also in taking my girls squad to meet the Wales Women’s team before we watch them play against England at Principality Stadium.
“We’ve had a great run to the final and beat the reigning champions Llandaff North in the semi-final. We played Burry Port in the first round of matches in the Premiership and won 24-5, but we know it is going to be a very tough day.
“It will be my third final at Principality Stadium. We lost to Llandaff North a few years ago in the Cup Final and beat Haverfordwest in a Plate Final.”
The action kicks-off with the Bowl Final between Taffs Well and Senghenydd, who are led by ex-international Rafique Taylor, while the Plate Final is between Seven Sisters and CRICC.
WRU WOMEN’S CUP FINAL – 5.35pm kick-off
Burry Port: Rhian Jenkins; Ceulyn Davies, Mari Jenkins, Darcy Thomas, Oliwia Bakowaka; Rhiannon Griffin, Keely Evans (captain); Ebony Bennett, Brooke Kerry, Sophie Jones, Roxanne Perego, Sophie Marsh, Kathryn Joseph, Catrina Williams, Ffion Jones
Reps: Carlie Reardon, Carla Giannini, Carys Lewis, Ellie Gravell, Rhyanne O’Hara, Sophie Delaney, Charlotte Stallard, Alice Morgan
Bonymaen: Lily-Anne Roberts; Cerys Beynon, Lucy Rees, Angharad Jones (captain), Seren Croydon; Lauren Smyth, Sophie Moore; Tyler Tipene, Sianon Nolan, Tegan Rumming, Amy Thomas, Cherry Morris, Natalie Murphy, Amy Price, Tili Hopkins
Reps: Bethan Rickard, Taylor Briggs, Karis Stevens, Charlotte Peters, Ffion Clarke, Kirsten Field
Route to the Final
20 October – Round 1: Lampeter Town 7 – 24 Bonymaen; Old Penarthians 39 – 56 Burry Port
19 January – Round 2: Burry Port 48 – 39 Caernarfon; Haverfordwest 5 – 60 Bonymaen
16 February – Semi Final: Bonymaen 26 – 12 Llandaff North; Burry Port 33 – 12 Whitland
WRU WOMEN’S PLATE FINAL – 3.15pm kick-off
Seven Sisters: Cerys Bowden; Caitlin Moffatt, Holly Cooper, Jami Davies, Joy Hall; Rachel Rees, Hannah-Mâi Jones; Emma Powson, Kirsten Flower, Bethan Howell (captain), Jenny Adams, Seren O’Neill, Leah Griffiths, Melissa Gnojek, Alicia Demery-Goatson
Reps: Nia Williams, Heledd Lewis, Shae Wallis, Emily Preedy, Victoria Morgan, Jenna Dyckhoff, Jessica Thomas, Caris Llewelyn
CRICC: Mirain Jones; Lydia Marsh, Georigia Liddington, Rhi Gower, Molly Webster; Sophie Longland, Alaw Hughes; Meleri Daniel, Elin Davies, Nia Jones, Anwen Hopkins, Laura Satterly, Maddie Rees, Carys Parry, Georgia Cummings
Reps: Beth Jones, Katie Heir, Sarah Turner, Jude Dowers, Georgina Wren, Zoe Tudor, Niah Orlandea, Catrin Jones
Route to the Final
19 October – Round 1 Cup: Caernarfon 21 – 12 CRICC
27 October – Round 1 Cup: Llandaff North 58 – 10 Seven Sisters
19 January – Round 1 Plate: Lampeter Town 14 – 53 Seven Sisters
16 February – Semi Final: CRICC 48 – 10 Llantwit Fardre; Seven Sisters 29 – 19 Old Penarthians
WRU WOMEN’S BOWL FINAL – 1.00pm kick-off
Taffs Well: Kirsten Field; Danni Stokes, Holly Brown, Georjia Teuma, Amy Clayton; Jade Edwards, Louise Shanahan; Jamie-lee Knight, Kayleigh Cushing (captain), Taryn Hurley, Katy Priddle, Sharon Macdonald, Lauren Hughes, Stacey Wright, Bonnie Heath
Reps: Chelsea Martin, Alice Clayton, Paige Price, Jodie-Leigh Hobbs, Rhiannon Beth Morgan, Hannah Thomas, Ceri Parkin, Sarah Grant
Senghenydd: Kayley Smith; Georgia Pritchard, Rafiuke Taylor (captain), Imogen Shide, Lauren Stevens; Courtney Greenway, Hayley Skym; Yasemin Sen, Rhian Bowden, Elin Jenkins, Sarah Creak, Joeann McGuire, Sarah Harper, Lianne Fletcher, Hollie Dempsey
Reps: Gemma Bisi, Catrin Davies, Tara-Mae Fitzgerald, Shauna Bowman-Rees, Esme Davies, Beti Jones, Megan Phillips, Shirey Webley
Road to Final
20 October – Round 1: Senghenydd w/o v Deri; Taffs Well w/o v Whitchurch
1 December – Round 2: Senghenydd 86 – 0 Abercwmboi; Taffs Well 10 – 5 Blackwood
19 January – Quarter Final: Treorchy 12 – 32 Senghenydd; Wrexham 5 – 15 Taffs Well
16 February – Semi Final: Taffs Well 14 – 10 Pembroke; West Swansea Hawks 26 – 59 Senghenydd