WOMEN’S RUGBY FINALS
LLANDAFF NORTH 24 BONYMAEN 7
ZOE Heeley scored two tries to power Llandaff North to a 24-7 win over Bonymaen as they upgraded to a victory in the South Wales Cup final at Principality Stadium.
They had picked up the South Wales Plate on their last visit to the home of Welsh rugby in 2019, but this time they captured the top title on the back of a tremendous defensive display. As well as a brace of tries from speedy wing Heeley, who is also attached to Premier15s side Worcester Warriors, North also had tries from Welsh international scrum-half Rhi Parker and full-back Amberley Ruck.
Liliana Podpadec’s Llandaff side got off to the perfect start as they created space down the right to allow Heeley to race over for her first try. Molly Philpott added the conversion and any nerves that were lurking were sent packing.
Heeley then showed guile and acceleration to extend the Llandaff advantage. After an excellent set-up kick from the breakdown, she weaved and ducked under flailing tackles to score her second.
Going into half-time 12 points adrift would have kept battling Bony very much in the fight, but when they conceded a third try just before the break it made their task all the harder. The Llandaff half-backs combined and Joanne Jones’ pop pass out of the tackle enabled Parker to dive in to make it 17-0.
Bonymaen’s team talk seemed to have had the desired effect, as they immediately hit back through Amy Thomas. The forwards piled pressure on the Llandaff defence, only for Thomas to steal in to give the Swansea-based side some hope. Sasha Bailey added the extras.
CEIRW NANT 25 CARDIFF QUINS 29
CARDIFF Quins sent Ceirw Nant back to north Wales empty handed after they conjured up a last-gasp try for Grace Bellamy to clinch the WRU National U18 Cup.
The Nant Conwy team looked as though they were going to be crowned champions when Nel Metcalfe kicked her side into a one-point lead with a penalty in the last minute, but back came the Quins to pull off a mighty finish through the Wales U18 cap Bellamy.
This all came after the Gogs got off to the better start and their early pressure led to a try from Erin Evans, who bundled her way over the line ahead of the flailing Quins forwards.
In the closing minute of the game another penalty to Ceirw gave Metcalfe the chance to shoot for glory and her successful kick edged the north Walians into a 25-24 lead.
The cup looked destined for a long trek north, but there was just enough time for one last roll of the dice.
NELSON BELLES 17 CARDIFF QUINS 7
NELSON Belles won the final game of eight-day ‘Road to Principality 2022’ festival beating Cardiff Quins in the Under-15 National Cup final.
Deep into the first half the deadlock was finally broken when Lockwood charged down a kick and scored at the posts to give Quins a lead against the run of play. Megan Jones converted.
The score gave Quins some confidence, with their passing notably improving as they took the game to Nelson. It remained 7-0 at the break, but the Belles came out fighting at the start of the second half and went on to score 17 points without reply.
After receiving the ball on the 10-metre line Kali Perriman almost scored, but Evie Hill ensured the chance didn’t go begging as she went over from the breakdown.
Skipper Tia Jones missed the conversion, but it was the first of her two tries that edged her side in front.
Pearce then went on a 30 metre charge to pave the way for Jones’ second score to ensure victory for the Belles. This time Pearce added the conversion.