It all kicks-off on today with the John Rees Cup final at 11.30am when Rhiw Syr Dafydd Primary School, from Oakdale, meet Ysgol Brynaman in a 10-a-side contest. Sixteen teams from across Wales played in a round robin format in four pools of four to earn the right to travel to the Welsh capital.
Rhiw Syr Dafydd beat Dyffryn y Glower (20-0), Llangynnor (10-0) and Neyland (30-0) in their pool games before seeing off Ysgol Melyn Gruffydd (20-0) in their semi-final.
Ysgol Brynaman overcame Ysgol Gellionen (15-0), Glasllwch (20-5) before drawing with Whitchurch (5-5). They went through to the semi-final on a golden try, where they pipped Pontyclun (5-0).
The Welsh Schools Intermediate Group finals for Years 8 and 9 then follow – Bro Morgannwg v Penweddig and Ysgol Gyfun Gwr v Gartholwg – before the girls take centre stage with the National U14 final between Ysgol Bro Teifi and Bryn Hyfred in a 12-a-side contest.
Following the introduction of new Pathway ages in March 2022 this competition is a new schools cup.
The WRU amended the girls pathway to two-year bandings from the original three, in line with the growth of the female game. As part of the road to principality programme at Under 14s level regional teams across Wales held qualifying festivals at 10 a side with the best team from each region progressing to the national finals in March at Merthyr RFC, Qualifiers were; Scarlets – Bro Teifi; RGC – Brynhyfryd; Ospreys – Bishopston; Cardiff Rugby – Plasmawr; Dragons – Cwm Rhymni.
The festival format saw everyone play everyone in an 8-minute each way fixture with the two best teams progressing to the final. The festival mirrored the regional events at 10 a side but the final will be played at 12 a side. At the festival both teams saw off strong competition from the other schools to progress, especially Cwm Rhymni who narrowly lost to both teams by less than a score.
In the game between the finalists Bro Teifi took the honours after battling out most of the game at 5-5 with two minutes to go Bro Teifi stepped up the pace to run in two last minute tries to end the game 15-5 and set up what’s going to be a great spectacle of rugby.
Both teams have a number of players within local female hubs with the majority of Bro Teifi squad playing at Wiberod based Newcastle Emlyn and Brynhyfryd players play their rugby at the Ravens hub in Ruthin. Llyr James (BT) and Mike Evans (BH) are hub officers within the school and are heavily involved in both the in school activity female rugby and in their respective WRU Female hubs
Meanwhile, the four games on Tuesday are all U18 finals, while Wednesday sees one of the oldest competitions in Welsh rugby history, the Dewar Shield. First played for in 1905, the U15 tournament has provided 100s of future international players with their first step on the road to stardom.
Monday, 25 April – WSRU Junior & Intermediate Group Schools Finals
Junior Group 10-a-side John Rees Cup Final – Rhiw Syr Dafydd PS v Ysgol Brynaman PS (11.30am)
Intermediate Group Year 8 Cup Final – Bro Morgannwg v Penweddig (1.00pm)
Intermediate Group Year 9 Cup Final – Ysgol Gyfun Gwr v Gartholwg (2.15pm)
Girls U14 National Final (12 a side) – Ysgol Bro Teifi v Bryn Hyfred (4.00pm)
Tuesday, 26 April – WSRU Senior Schools & Colleges Group U18
Male Plate Final – Stanwell Comprehensive v Llandovery College
Male Circle IT Vase Final – Ysgol Preseli v Coleg Sir Gar II (1.35pm)
Female Celtic Camping Trophy Final (12 a side) – Llandovery College v Coleg Gwent (3.30pm)
Male Spirit of Youth Cup Final – Christ College, Brecon v Ysgol Ystalyfera (5.10pm)
Wednesday, 27 April – Junior Schools Group & Intermediate Group
U11 DC Thomas Bowl Final – 10.00am
U11 DC Thomas Plate Final – 11.10am
U11 DC Thomas Cup Final – 12.50pm
Intermediate Group: Lawrence Miller Bowl – Islwyn v Cardiff A (2.15pm)
Intermediate Group: Morgan Griffiths Plate – Newport v Rhymney Valley (3.30pm)
Girls National U16 Final (12 a side) – Ysgol Y Berwyn v Plasmawr (5.35pm)
Intermediate Group: Dewar Shield Final – Rhondda v Cardiff (6.40pm)
