Beetham kept his cool to kick his side to a last gasp 21-18 win over Newport HS to make it back-to-back wins for CAVC the first time in a year as they followed up their victory over Whitchurch HS with another convincing display.
With four out of five of his kicks hitting the mark, outside half Beetham ended with 11 points to go with tries from centre Griff Taylor and wing Jack Dixon. Having built up a 10 point lead in the first half the visitors looked in control, but Newport HS hit back with tries from their dynamic back row duo of George Young and Oliver Thomas.
Then when hooker Brodie Coghlan added a third five minutes from time, which was converted by outside half Will Reed, the home side led for the first time, 19-18. There was just enough time for CAVC to win a penalty and Bethan did the necessary to get his side over the line with a pressure kick.
The last time CAVC had made it two in a row was when they beat Coleg Sir Gar 14-7 on 11 October last year and then followed up with a 28-25 triumph over Gwent College a week later. Tonight’s rivals in the Live TV fixture on S4C Chwaraeon, Gower College, have had a tough season to date and have won only once in five outings.
They were beaten 47-0 at home by the highly impressive Coleg Llandrillo last week and will be looking for a reaction from their players at the Arms Park. They are currently averaging just under 40 points per game against.
Llandrillo will have to be at their very best this week when they host last season’s semi-finalists, Ysgol Glantaf, at Parc Eirias on Wednesday, 24 October. Last week’s seven try demolition of Gower College contained 17 points from outstanding full back Sam Earl-Jones and a brace of tries for both outside half Dafydd Williams and tight head prop Pedr Jones.
Glantaf are very much in the hunt for a play-off place having won four of their five games to date. Their only defeat to date came against reigning champions Coleg Y Cymoedd (28-14) on the opening day of the season. Cymoedd are unbeaten after four games and tied at the top with the team they beat in last season’s final, Coleg Sir Gar, who are also unbeaten.
Their only defeat to date came against reigning champions Coleg Y Cymoedd (28-14) on the opening day of the season. Cymoedd are unbeaten after four games and tied at the top with the team they beat in last season’s final, Coleg Sir Gar, who are also unbeaten.
Cymoedd head to Gwent College this week boosted by a six try, 40-3 home win over Llandovery College last week, while Sir Gar host Newport HS. The other game is a basement battle between a Bridgend College team still seeking their first win and their hosts, Pembrokeshire College, who have one win out of five to date.
Welsh Schools & Colleges League – Round 6
Tuesday, 23 October
Cardiff & Vale College v Gower College (Arms Park, 7.30pm)
CAVC: Ed Thomas; Jake Thomas, Griff Naylor, Rhys Gentles, Jack Dixon; Jake Beetham, Ioan Williams; Christian Brooke, Aneurin James, Nathan Evans, Jared Williams, Kurtis Hackman, Aron Churchill, Iestyn Galton, Evan Lloyd (captain)
Reps: Tomas Burnham, Griff Morris, Luc Williamson, Rhys Powell, Sam Hurley, Will O’Connor, Drew Musa, Ioan Cooper
Gower: Dylan Hughes; Tristan James, Danny Devey, Tom Mages, Ben Pethebridge; Joe Burder, Joel Matuski; John Edwards, Luke Evans, Louie Walters, Matthew Hutchinson, Connor Williams, Josh Rupersinghe, Jacob Hopkins, Tom Poole
Reps: Taylor Bamford, Ethan Hall, Ewan Bevan, Rhys Bolton, Ben Rees, Alexander Steven, Jacob Turatto, Ollie Price
Wednesday, 24 October
Coleg Sir Gar v Newport HS (Coleg Sir Gar, 2.30pm)
Gwent College v Coleg Y Cymoedd (Ystrad Mynach, 4.00pm)
Pembrokeshire College v Bridgend College (Tenby United, 2.30pm)
Coleg Llandrillo v Ysgol Glantaf (Parc Eirias, 1.30pm)
Llandrillo:TBC
Glantaf: Theo Cabango; Iwan Burrows, Mason Grady, Aled Evans, Rhys Thomas; Josh Phillips, Iwan Johnes; Dan Thomas, Oscar O’Hare, Cai Killen, Alfie Llewellyn, Teddy Williams, Sam Powell, Ffin Barber (captain), Cai Davies
Reps: Joe Buckle, Rhys McKenzie, Tirion Bowen, Tomi Owens, Joe Attkinson
Round 5 Results
Tuesday, 16 October
Coleg Y Cymoedd 40 – 3 Llandovery College
Gower College 0 – 47 Coleg Llandrillo
Wednesday, 17 October
Bridgend College 17 – 41 Gwent College
Newport HS 19 – 20 Cardiff & Vale College
Whitchurch HS 14 – 43 Coleg Sir Gar
Ysgol Glantaf 40 – 14 Pembrokeshire College
