VIPERS TAKE CUP FROM DEPLETED CELTS LINE-UP
CAERNARFON Celts Under-16s and 18s competed in the Terry Price Cup at Aberystwyth last weekend, looking to become Welsh champions in their age category.
The U18s, depleted by late withdrawals, had a tough final game against the Vale Vipers following a win in their first match versus the Wrexham Warriors.
With the excellent defensive guard Guto Davies having picked up a knee injury early on against the Warriors, it was an uphill task for the remaining six Celts against the formidable Vipers, trained by former Wales U18s coach Andy Leftley.
Despite matching the Vipers basket for basket in the early exchanges, fatigue finally put paid to any realistic challenge from the Celts.
Coach Aled Jones said: “This is the last time some of these players will play for the Celts and I have been proud to have had the privilege of being their coach. Becoming Wales runners-up to a strong Vipers team shows how much this group have improved from last year due to their dedication to training and games. The Vipers are worthy Wales champions and we congratulate them for rounding off a great season with the Terry Price Cup. “
Final scores: Caernarfon Celts U18s 90 Wrexham Warriors U18s 45 (Celts MVP Rhun Hughes); Celts 50 Vale Vipers U18s 84 (Celts MVP Llifon Torr).
The U16s competed well in both of their playoff matches but were unable to reproduce the accuracy around the basket which had brought them the North Wales title.
Coach Jones added: “I am proud of the energy and commitment of the U16s today and throughout the season. It’s a pity we could not reproduce the form we had shown in the North Wales League and Cup in the Wales Finals but I cannot fault the effort from all the players today.”
Scores: Caernarfon Celts U16s 55 Bridgend Cougars U16s 73; Celts 43 Mold Magic 59. Celts MVP was Sean Jones.