Welsh Senior Schools Vase quarter final:

Ysgol Dewi Sant 8-22 Ysgol Maes Gwendraeth

IT was a significant day at Ysgol Dewi Sant last Wednesday as the First XV competed in what was possibly the last ever senior rugby game to be played in school colours.

As the inevitable consequences of the closure of the school sixth form looms, the team put in a brave performance against their more fancied opponents – with the game watched by Welsh forwards coach Robin McBryde as his son was representing the visitors.

Indeed, it was YDS who led after 20 minutes thanks to a well struck penalty by No 10 Lewis Thomas, before try by right wing Rhys Meredith-Barrett made it 8-0 after a lovely chip over the top by Tommy Reynolds.

But the Gwendraeth boys responded and scored two tries, one converted, to go into half time 12-8 ahead.

The visitors turned round with use of the slope but it was to be the home side who dominated the first 20 minutes of the second half, as YDS battered the try line for long periods.

The closest they came to the try they deserved came as Reynolds took a ball across field and set Jack Lewis-Prout, who drove towards the Gwendraeth line – but after he was hauled down short, YDS tried to go wide and the ball was spilt in midfield.

The visitors then lifted the tempo and scored two further converted tries, giving the scoreline a slightly flattering look for them at 8-22. They will now play the winners of Ysgol Strade or Olchfa in the semi-finals.

“It was a great team effort with notable performances from Tommy Reynolds and two of the five year 11 boys in the team, Dylan Walsh and Tom Clarke,” saod YDS coach Bruce Evans.

“And it was a great advert for senior schools rugby which, sadly, will suffer next season with Ysgol Dewi Sant and Ysgol Bro Gwaun set to lose their sixth form students.”

Bruce also thanked Colin Reynolds, the Chairman of St Davids RFC, who marked out the school pitch, and to the kitchen staff who prepared post-match sandwiches and cakes for lal involved.

PE teacher Rachael Thomas said that whilst it was a sad day, it was also a celebration of the history of Ysgol Dewi Sant.

“We have to view the move to a 3-16 school with positivity and see the new sixth form learning centre as an exciting step forward with increased opportunity for studies and sport,” she added.

Ysgol Dewi Sant: Aled Rowlands, Tom Clarke, Llion Williams, Aled Davies, Callum Walton, Morgan Weale, TP, Tommy Reynolds, Dylan Walsh, Lewis Thomas, Patrick Smith, Jack Lewis-Prout, Morgan Davies, Rhys Meredith-Barrett, Sam Thomas.