It was an excellent match worthy of the final of a series of play-off matches. Players from both teams exhibited good skills and a high degree of physical endeavour before a large, vociferous crowd.
Nantyffyllon took an early lead when Jac Arthur steered a forward drive over the Caerphilly line and claimed the touchdown. Caerphilly fought back with some fine back play which led to Cyle Powell scoring a try close to the posts. Liam Waters duly converted.
Waters and Tadhg McGuckin exchanged penalties giving Caerphilly a 10-8 lead. Following excellent work by second row Craig Hudd, winger Lewys Willacott scored a second try for the Castle town club to give them a 15-8 advantage. Nantyffyllon used their forward power to good advantage to create space for wing Ryan Morrin to cross for a well taken try which was converted by McGuckin. Waters kicked a monster penalty for Caerphilly before McGuckin kicked another for the Llynfi Valley outfit. With the last kick of the half Waters gave Caerphilly a slender 21-18 interval lead.
The second half started with a period of sustained pressure from Nantyffyllon. A 40-metre break from scrum half Ben Davies saw him run in a vital try for Nantyffyllon. McGuckin’s sure conversion edged the Bridgend District team ahead.
The Nantyffyllon pack with No 8 Ross Boast always to the fore took the match to Caerphilly. The two teams kicked penalties to make the score 28-24 and although Caerphilly threw everything at their opponents they could not force a score. Nantyffyllon ran out deserved winners.
Teams:
Nantyffyllon Youth: Calum Powell, Ryan Morrin, Iwan Jones, Jack Ketcher, Declan Kenny, Tadhg McGuckin, Ben Davies, Ross Boast, Jack Arthur, Tyler Dawe, Callum Buttle, Tom Braund, Declan Powell, Rhys Davies, Kieran Griffiths.
Subs: Jordan Walters, Liam Ketcher, Steffan Irranca-Davies, Matthew Davies, Jack Deere, Rhys Jones (Iwan Irranca-Davies was originally selected but was injured in the team warm up and replaced by Iwan Jones)
Caerphilly Youth: Liam Waters, Ben Tandy, Cyle Powell, Conor Kawulok, Lewys Willacott, Alex Stickler, Tom Candy, Sam Haley, Jacob McCarthy, Rhys Jones, Craig Hudd, Tom Francis, Josh Lewis, Chris Thomas, Jack McLoughlin
Subs: Morgan Jones, Luke Hooper, Ben Madges, Dan Hewer, Lewis Pryce-Jones, Jake George
