Under 16s Welsh Schools final:
Ysgol Y Preseli 31
Ystalyfera 5 

YSGOL Y Preseli under 16s were crowned the best side for their age group in Wales last Wednesday after comfortably beating Ystalyfera.

After qualifying along with STP as one of the two top Pembrokeshire teams, Ysgol y Preseli reached the final with knockout wins at home to Pencoed (43-12), away to Ysgol y Strade (27-7), and at the neutral semi final venue of Neath Athletic against Glantaf (29-24) - before setting up the clash with Ystalyfera in the final at Parc y Scarlets.

Since 2006, Preseli have reached four national rugby cup final finals with different teams at under 14, 16, and 18 level - but had never won one before last Wednesday.

Ystalyfera started well by putting Preseli under pressure from the kick off, but after some solid defensive work, the Pembrokeshire School turned the tables and began to take control of possession and territory.

An excellent scrum by Preseli forced pressure on the defending halfbacks, and a dropped pass by the outside half was picked by Preseli captain and open side flanker, Joey Mathias, who proceeded to sidestep his way over the line for the opening try. 

The second try came from the restart as Preseli spread the ball wide, winning five phases in quick succession before full back and man of the match, Callum Williams, ran 50 metres to score his first of three tries. 
Preseli’s third try was a team effort, and a patient build up was finished off by loose head prop Josh Bridge - and a successful conversion by Ilan Phillips followed.

Preseli’s fourth try came just before the interval, and it was a fantastic individual effort by Callum Williams who raced 80 metres to score the try of the match, and another successful conversion by Phillips gave Preseli a 24-0 lead at half-time.

Ystalyfera started strongly in the second half but were met with a stubborn Preseli defence that kept them out.

Preseli kept playing with width and pace, and were rewarded with a fifth try, and a third for Williams, which Phillips duly converted to make the score 31-0 with 20 minutes left.

Ystalyfera never gave in and came back strongly, and scored a well worked unconverted try in the corner.

Preseli dominated possession and territory during the final quarter, and enjoyed their first ever national cup victory by 31-5. 

“This was very much a team effort and a pretty much faultless display,” said coach Gethin Vobe afterwards.

“We dominated every aspect of play.”

Indeed, during the 80 minutes forwards Iwan Twigg, Josh Bridge, and Dafydd Gibby carried the ball effectively and half-backs Stephen Varney and Ilan Phillips controlled the game with great maturity. 

Captain Joey Mathias was led the team by example and full back Callum Williams played the game of his life.

One player who was unfortunately unable to play for Preseli in the final was full back Dean James, who is due congratulations on his selection for the initial Welsh under 16s squad.  

Sadly for Dean, he was one of six players to be later cut from the squad, but his contribution to the team’s success, especially in the semi final, was immeasurable.  

Ysgol Y Preseli: Callum Williams, Caleb Nicholas, Hedd Nicholas, Rhun Phillips, Sion Vaughan, Ilan Phillips, Stephen Varney, Josh Bridge, Rhydian Howells, Iwan Twigg, Dafydd Eynon, Rhys James, Tom Renny, Joseph Mathias (capt), Dafydd Gibby, Stephen Varney.

Replacements: Sion Lloyd, Sam Edgeack, Jack Fussell,Steffan Rees, Bedwyr Owens, Ifan Davies, Ifan Rees, Isaac Hughes, Steffan Davies, Jamie Davies, Macsen Mather.