Penarth RFC Youth win the Blues South Cup

Last Saturday (November 13) saw the Penarth RFC youth team travel away to play St Peters RFC Youth in the remaining game in their blues cup group and gain a superb victory to win the cup.

The Youth won the game in style with a thirty-three nil victory over a very strong St Peters fifteen on their own patch, winning all six of their qualifying games in the process of reaching the final, while conceding just two tries during the whole of the competition.

Penarth received the kick-off in perfect rugby conditions and were immediately put under pressure by strong St Peters tackling, eventually relieved by a penalty to the visitors, converted by fly half Rhys Mottram. Shortly after the restart prop Sam Sully burst from a breakdown close to the opponents ten metre line and outpaced the covering defence to score in the corner.

Penarth were now growing in confidence, playing fantastic fifteen-man rugby, with strong carries by George Jones and Davis Hedgecoe providing a platform for some fine attacking play by the back three resulting in a try by full back Matty Young. The final play of the half saw flanker Gruff Sion use his pace to sprint in from half-way after a line break by number eight Evan Jones, and some slick hands from fellow flanker Josh Edwards, converted by Mottram.

Leading twenty-nil, the second half saw the St Peters team pile on the pressure, however, with a huge defensive effort led by the Penarth centre partnership of Osian Coates and Tiaan Arthur it led to a further penalty and three points to Penarth. A Head Injury Assessment put the end to a strong performance by second row Max Woodman, but the Penarth pack led superbly by Captain Ethan Barry were now well on top providing quality ball for scrum half Osian Phillips, leading to superb final try for Man of the Match Mottram putting the result out of doubt.

Penarth Youth now join the Blues Youth Premiership league in January where they will be joined by the best of the teams in the North and South of the region, including Llantwit Fardre, Builth Wells, Porth Harlequins and Merthyr.