YSGOL GYFUN GYMRAEG GLANTAF 14 WADE DEACON HIGH SCHOOL 16

YSGOL GYFUN GYMRAEG GLANTAF 14 WADE DEACON HIGH SCHOOL 16

By Ian Golden at Athletics Ground, Richmond

 

It was an outstanding effort from Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf in the Year 8 Champion Schools Final but in the end they lost by just the one conversion to Wade Deacon, losing out 16-14.

 

The Widnes school gained their revenge after being outclassed by Glantaf in last year’s Year 7 Final at Wembley Stadium but there was consolation for Glantaf’s Jac Lloyd who was presented with the man of the match award.

 

History repeated itself from 10 years ago. In 2005, Bridgend-based Brynteg Comprehensive beat Castleford High in the Year 7 Final only to lose out to the same team in the Year 8 Final in 2006. That Brynteg side produced three full Welsh internationals in Rhys Evans, Ben Evans and Ollie Olds, with Rhys set to appear for Warrington Wolves in tomorrow’s Ladbrokes Challenge Cup Final.

 

A mistake in the first minute gave Wade Deacon a gap that they didn’t waste as Alex Sutton bombed his way through. Marco Williamson converted.

 

Glantaf levelled after a strong try from Cai Marcus-Jemmett brushing players off on his way to the line. Jac Lloyd converted.

 

Straight away, Wade Deacon were back in the lead. A good passing move ended with William Gilhooley scoring out wide. The conversion was missed giving the Widnes school a 10-6 lead.

 

Glantaf were soon level again. Marcus-Jemmett outran his opposite number Alex Sutton to score in the corner. Lloyd’s kick was short.

 

But Wade Deacon were back in the lead before the break. A scrum just inside their own half gave them the opportunity they didn’t waste and Gilhooley also notched his second. Williamson kicked well for the goal to put them 16-10 up.

 

The Welsh side were first to score in the second half and that came midway in. Louis Rochefort-Shugar scoring out wide, the try going unconverted. Wade Deacon were still 16-14 up.

 

Glantaf were looking for a winner. Tieron Bowen was centimetres short of the line after two good back to back sets. Lloyd also almost scored, this opportunity from a scrum, before Marcus-Jemmett knocked on under pressure as he was diving for the line.

 

Ioan McDougall was also tackled on the last play of a set as he was near to the line.

 

But in the end it wasn’t quite enough for the Glantaf lads who lost a Rugby League game for the first time ever.

 

Wales Rugby League chairman Brian Juliff said: “The boys played very well against a much-improved and sizeable squad from Widnes. They are a credit to Wales and I wish them all the very best in next year’s competition.”

 

GLANTAF

1 Rhodri Thomas

2 Iwan Jones

3 Louis Rochefort-Shugar

4 Ewan Skuse

5 Iwan Johnes

6 Jac Lloyd

7 Gwylim Evans

8 Harry Griffiths

9 Ioan McDougall

10 Tieron Bowen

11 Osian Evans

12 Gethin Marshall

13 Cai Marcus-Jemmett

Subs:

14 Oli Meek

15 Morgan Boas

16 Oli K Bar

17 Fin Lovett

 

Tries: Marcus-Jemmett (8, 14), Rochefort-Shugar (37),

Goals: Lloyd 1/3

 

WADE DEACON

1 James Murray

2 Caliean Thomson

3 William Gilhooley

4 Nathan Bannerman

5 Adam Bamber

6 Sam Craig

7 Marco Williamson

8 Jamie Holroyd

14 Alex Davies

10 George Chatten

11 Reece Sumner

12 Jack Hunter

13 Alex Sutton

Subs:

9 Euan Holland

15 Aiden Doolan

16 Adam Holroyd

 

Tries: Sutton (2), Gilhooley (11, 23),

Goals: Williamson 2/3

 

Referee: Andrew Williams

Picture: Man of the match for the game, Glantaf’s Jac Lloyd.