CUP FINAL
NANTYFFYLLON YOUTH ......................... 16 PENCOED YOUTH ...... 40
THE many Pencoed supporters who travelled to the Bridgendford Brewery Field for this match were conscious of the fact their team had lost on two previous occasions to Nanty in the league.
However, on the day their apprehension was allayed in no uncertain manner despite a competitive effort throughout from Nantyffyllon.
Pencoed scrum half Calum Palmer darted over wide out for the opening try of the match, the respective place kickers then took a hand, Jacob Lloyd with a penalty for Pencoed and Nantyffyllons Calum Powell slotting three penalty goals for his side to lead 9-8. The Pencoed response was quick, their backs showing good hands some 50 metres out to put Dewi Cross in space, and the Welsh U18 International needed no second invitation to race clear to score, Lloyd adding the extras. Play then became to and fro with no quarter asked or given, and with Nantyffyllon on the attack there came a crucial first half score, Pencoed’s Cameron Fyvie Davies plucking the ball out of the air on the intercept to race away from 60 metres to score at the posts, pursued all the way by the desperate Nanty chasers, Lloyd converted and Pencoed led 22-9. A further Lloyd penalty gave Pencoed a 16 point half time cushion, the scoreline perhaps not reflective of a most competitive opening half.
Pencoed outside half Sam Costelow then stretched his sides lead early in second half, charging down a Nanty kick and the Welsh International 16’s player arced away from the final defender to score from 40 metres, Lloyd converted. To their credit the Llynfi Valley sides response was immediate, and close up driving play from their pack saw Ross Pope get the touchdown, Powell converted to reduce arrears to 32-16. Any thoughts of a Nanty comeback were soon dispelled however, Pencoed back row forward Jack Thompson alert to his opportunity at a lineout some metres out to score. Going into the final moments Lloyd set the seal on a fine all round Pencoed performance with a penalty.