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Scarlets Ladies crowned champions

Scarlets Ladies crowned champions

Scarlet Ladies were duly crowned regional champions after an efficient and measured first half saw off the Blues challenge and ensured their third victory in succession with a 24-0 triumph at Llandovery.

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The Scarlets exerted pressure from the off and on seven minutes scrum pressure saw scrum half Jess Kavanagh feed Caryl James who promptly crossed with room to spare on the blindside wing.

Soon a Hannah Jones break gave James another opportunity but speedster Rafiuke Taylor was able to get back to thwart the impending danger.

Stand-off Jones had a fine game throughout, being deceptive and incisive. On 15 minutes her balanced running and deft handoff saw her reach the try line to grant Joanna Price the extra two points with a standard conversion.

The driving maul was yet again instrumental as regards gaining ground with boiler house duo Ffion Jones and Becci Owen having an inspirational afternoon throughout.

Nia Davies and Sioned Harries combined to free Mari Griffiths but the try was disallowed for a final forward pass but the winger was soon to cross again legitimately when a Delyth Davies run saw Jones maintain momentum for Elin Evans to feed Griffiths for a corner touchdown.

The Blues worked hard to gain a foothold in Scarlet territory with No 8 Becky Newton forceful and front row pair Cara Hope and Kim Jones industrious, the latter having performed well throughout the competition.

The Scarlets however weathered the storm and on gaining a foothold back in Blues territory, pressure at scrum time resulted in a charge down that saw Kavanagh also successfully add downward pressure beyond the whitewash to extend the lead.

Price’s second conversion brought the half to a close with the Scarlets 22 points to the good.

The second half sadly didn’t scale the same heights partly due to the continued commitment shown by the gallant Blues and partly due to the deteriorating weather conditions.

The majority of the action was confined to within twenty meters each side of the halfway line with the kicking game of neither sufficient to gain good attacking positions. Both teams gave their loyal replacements some game time but no one succeeded in undoing the dogged defence that was maintained to the very end.

A delighted Scarlets coach Daryl Morgan said the title was proof of the development work the region is putting in.

“Obviously we’re all ecstatic about winning this season’s Women’s regional championship,” he said. “The Scarlets now hold both the Senior Women’s and Girls’ Under 18’s regional titles.

“We’ve been building towards this for the last two seasons. This year the players really bought into our philosophy. We wanted to engage and question the players as much as possible and give them the confidence to express themselves both individually and collectively on the pitch.

“To win all three games was great, but to limit the other three teams to just one try between them speaks volumes of the attitude and commitment of the players on the pitch.”

The Osprey secured the runners-up spot when they overpowered the Dragons 22-3.

Shona Powell Hughes opened the account with a try from close range with an Elinor Snowsill penalty giving the Dragons some cheer before the break.

Melanie Clay scored early during the second period with a brace from industrious flanker Amy Lawrence adding the gloss.

Kerin Lake was a growing influence for the Ospreys during the game, especially after the inclusion of direct running centre Jamie Davies whilst Sian Williams and Rachel Taylor did everything asked of them for the Dragons.

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