YOUTH RUGBY

RUGBY REVIEW

THERE were several important games involving Mid District clubs over the weekend,

Merthyr won through to the Principality Premiership Tier One play-off final after a superb 35-7 win over National Cup winners RGC 1404 at the Wern. Ed Siggery, Phil Rees, Kyle Evans and Rhys Williams got the tries for the Ironmen with Matthew Jarvis slotting three conversions and two penalties. Dean Gunter also got on the scoresheet with a late penalty. Merthyr will now take on Aberavon in the final on Sunday.

Rhydyfelin will be playing at their highest ever level of league rugby next season as they beat Treorchy 52-37 on aggregate in the two-legged Division One play-offs to achieve promotion to the National Championship. The Village lost Saturday’s game at the Oval 13-10 but their big home win the previous weekend was more than enough to see them through.

It wasn’t all plain sailing though as the Zebras raced into a 13-0 lead thanks to a try, conversion and penalty from pivot Jordon Lloyd. But Rhydyfelin hit back before the interval with an interception try from Luke Waygood which was converted by full back Dai Gratton. The second period was a very tight affair with just one score throughout the 40 minutes which was a penalty by Gratton.

Rhydyfelin can now look forward to games with fellow Mid District clubs Beddau and Bedlinog next season, whilst the young Zebra team may be disappointed but will have plenty to look forward to again next season.

In National Division One East, Penallta claimed the runners-up spot after a 14-14 derby day draw with Nelson proved to be enough. Elliot Kepp got the Pitmen’s only try with Bleddyn Corns kicking three penalties.

The Unicorns finish third in the table and can be pleased with a very good season. Their points came through tries from Dan Davies and Alec Jones which were both converted by Carl Maybank.

In National Three East Central B, Wattstown ended their season on a disappointing note as they were beaten 46-5 away at a very good Cowbridge outfit. The Ducks still finish in a solid sixth position for the season winning 50% of their games.

It was also a bad afternoon for Caerphilly in Division Three East A as they lost by just a single point to Usk which prevented them taking the title. The Cheesemen were already promoted but the 21-20 reverse means that they go into Division Two as runners-up.

Matthew Hurley scored a try, a conversion and three penalties for Caerphilly with Tom Candy also crossing the whitewash. Despite this defeat Caerphilly can be hugely proud of a successful allround season.

WORTHINGTON MID DISTRICT BOWL

ABERDARE are the 2016/17 Worthington MDRU Bowl champions after putting on an excellent display against Llantrisant at Sardis Road last Wednesday.

The Snakes’ 40-18 victory was a superb advert for Mid District rugby with Llantrisant also playing their part in a hugely entertaining final.

It was a huge day for the Price family in Aberdare as father and son, Jason and Jamie, were in the starting XV and both played a huge part in the Cynon Valley clubs’ success.

WORTHINGTON MID DISTRICT CUP

THE final of the Worthington Mid District Cup will take place this evening (Wednesday) at Sardis Road (7.15pm).

The game will be a huge contest between local rivals Bedlinog and Penallta. Both clubs have a great rivalry on the field but are big friends off it.

Bedlinog knocked reigning champions Beddau out in round one before being handed a free passage to the semi-final by Dowlais. In that semifinal they showed their quality to defeat a stubborn Brecon outfit by 3219.

Penallta had a tough ride to the final. After being given the first round tie by Llantwit Fardre they came out on top in their last eight fixture with nearest rivals Nelson by 23-12.

That win set up a semifinal with Trerochy who they defeated 37-17 to book their place in the final.

Whoever is successful this evening it is guaranteed that a new name will be on the trophy as both clubs are going out to claim their first success in this prestigious tournament.

HIGH MOTIVE GLAMORGAN COUNTY SILVER BALL

THE final of this season’s Glamorgan County Silver Ball will take place at the Brewery Field, Bridgend, on Saturday as newly promoted Championship side Rhydyfelin take on Division Two West champions Tondu (2.30pm).

Rhydyfelin reached the final after a win over Ferndale in the quarter-final before being handed a walkover in the semi-final by Caerphilly. The Waterwheelers beat Dinas Powys in the last eight before dispatching Treorchy in the semi-final. WELL done to Senghenydd Youth who represented the Dragons region in the Champions of Champions semi-finals on the weekend. Despite losing the game 41-17 against the Ospreys Champions Bridgend Athletic they can be proud of their performance and being crowned the Dragons Youth Champions.

COLLEGE RUGBY

MASSIVE congratulations go out to Coleg y Cymoedd who were once again crowned British College Cup champions after a big 75-14 win over Seevic College last Wednesday.

The RCT and Caerphilly campus have had another fantastic season and continue to be one of the leading rugby colleges in the UK.

SCHOOLS RUGBY

HUGE congratulations go out to Rhondda Schools under-15s who were crowned Dewar Shield Champions on the weekend with a tight 18-3 win over the Vale of Glamorgan in Llanelli. It is a fantastic achievement for the team who had gone throughout the campaign unbeaten.

Also a big well done to Cynon Valley Schools under-15s who were victorious in the Dewar Plate final. The Cynon youngsters won an extremely tight and entertaining game by 14-12.

In the Bowl final it was South Powys Schools under-15s who came out on top against their Merthyr counterparts by 43-17 in a very good game. Both sides should be congratulated on a great final.

BLUES CUP & PLATE

CONGRATULATIONS to junior teams of Treorchy, Ystrad Rhondda and Pontypridd who enjoyed Blues Cup success last weekend.

Also a big well done to finalists Aberdare and Cefn Coed who did themselves proud in getting through to the finals day.

There was double delight for the young Zebras of Treorchy as they claimed both the under12s and under-14s cup with good wins over Llantwit Major and Pontyclun respectively.

Ystrad Rhondda are proud under-13 Plate champions after defeating Pentyrch 19-10, whilst Pontypridd edged an exciting under-13s Cup final with Aberdare by 19-12.

Cefn Coed gave their all in the under-14s Plate final but were beaten by a very strong Llandaff North team.

Congratulations to all teams that competed in this year’s tournament. It proved once again to be a big success.

WALES SQUADS

THERE are no fewer than five Mid District club products included in Robin Mcbryde’s Wales squad to play Tonga and Samoa in the summer.

Forwards Kristian Dacey, Cory Hill, Ellis Jenkins and Thomas Young are all included in the squad along with Blues scrum half Tomas Williams.

The squad will face Tonga in Eden Park, Auckland on June 16 and then travel to Samoa for the test which will either take place on June 23 or 24.

There are nine Mid District club products in the Wales under-20s World Cup squad.

Keiron Assiratti, Callum Bradbury, Shane LewisHughes, Sean Moore, Ellis Shipp, Dane Blacker, Ben Jones, Arwel Robson and Cameron Lewis are all included in the squad for the summer tournament in Georgia.

They face games against Australia, England and Samoa beginning on May 31 in what is a hugely difficult group.