On Sunday it was Elis Horgan who made his dad, Pat, feel immensely proud as he picked up the man of the match award as he steered Neath to victory over Bargoed in the WRU Championship Cup final.
Pat was in the dug-out as the Neath head coach while Elis was pulling the strings in the same No 9 jersey that his father had worn with such distinction and success for the club.
On Wednesday, Neath skipper Aaron Bramwell will return to the Welsh capital hoping his son, Jacob, can lead the Neath Schools U11 team to victory in the DC Thomas Plate final against Cardiff. A nervous Dad will be one of the water carriers, while chewing his nails on the touchline will be former Wales wing Mark Jones, who will be cheering on his son Isaac.
But Monday belonged to the Easterbys. Ffredi captained Bro Morgannwg to a stunning 31-19 victory in the Year 8 Final against Penweddig, while his dad, former Scarlets, Ireland and British & Irish Lions flanker Simon, was part of the coaching team led by Rhys Beynon.
“It’s brilliant and the boys have been fantastic. I’ve only jumped in at the last minute off the back of the Six Nations,” said Easterby snr, who is the Irish forwards coach.
“They have been brilliantly coached by Mr Beynon and they are a great bunch of boys who work really hard for each other. It is a challenge coaching your own son and I was more nervous today than on most international days.
“It was a great occasion and the WRU put on a really good show. It is something the boys will remember for a long time.
“They played some tough games to get here and the team they were up against a very good side in Penweddig. I’m sure we will see a few of them in the future running out here again in a red jersey.”
Bro Morgannwg try scorers were Trystan Coates, Efan Vaughan, Evan Weekes, Richie Jenkins and Evan Mitchell. Rhys Muxworthy added three conversions. Penweddig replied with three tries of their own, two from Owain Llyr Hywel and another from Kier Creasey, with Tryston Lewis improving two of them. Penweddig replied with three tries of their own, two from Owain Llyr Hywel and another from Kier Creasey, with Tryston Lewis improving two of them.
The opening game of the day was the Welsh Schools Junior Group John Rees Cup final. This turned out to be a big win for Rhiw Syr Dafydd Primary School, in Oakdale, against Ysgol Brynaman, in Brynamman.
The game ended in a nine try to three triumph for Rhiw Syr Dafydd, with Sam Morgan helping himself to a hat-trick of tries. There were also two each for Owen Lloyd and Tomos Godwin, with further scores from Rhys Birt and Harry Livesy-Hambridge. Ysgol Brynaman responded with tries from Keelan Edwards, Dylan Jenkins, Cory Protheroe.
The Intermediate Group Year 9 final featured Ysgol Garth Olwg, in Church Village, and Ysgol Gyfun Gwyr, from Swansea. Gethin Downes led Garth Olwg from scrum half, while centre Jack Wilcox was in charge of Gyfun Gwyr for what turned out to be a real thriller.
In the end, the honours went to Garth Olwg 23-21, and by four tries to three. Tight head prop Ryan Jones was the hero of the day for the winners as he crossed for two tries. The others went to win Sam Price and No 8 Alfie John.
Ioan Leyshon was unable to convert any of them but did strike a penalty to help give his side a two-point winning margin. Gyfun Gwyr battled all the way and replied with tries from prop Dylan Allit, No 8 Matthew Davies and centre Oscar Jones, three of which Jake Davies converted.
In the final game of the day it was the turn of the girls to take centre stage as Ysgol Bro Teifi and Bryn Hyfred played a 12-a-side contest for the National U14 Cup with the Teifisiders winning 34-19.
Nia Davies opened the scoring and the conversion was added by Ffion Williams to put Ysgol Brynhyfryd ahead.
Georgia Smith burst through to get Bro Teifi on the score sheet and she added the extras to tie the match up at 7-7.
Elin Roberts then charged over to put Brynhyfryd back in front but Elin Thomas pounced in the corner to bring Bro Teifi back on level terms.
After the break Lleucu Mathias broke the deadlock with a well taken try for Bro Teifi. Phoebe Smith then extended the lead when crashing over and Esyllt Jones
Lowri Lewis Roberts hit back for Brynhyfryd and another conversion brought the score to 27-19 but Bro Teifi had the final say when Amelia Williams scored and Smith added the conversion.
RESULTS
Monday, 25 April – WSRU Junior & Intermediate Group Schools Finals
Junior Group 10-a-side John Rees Cup Final – Rhiw Syr Dafydd PS 50 – 15 Ysgol Brynaman PS
Intermediate Group Year 8 Cup Final – Bro Morgannwg 31 – 19 Penweddig
Intermediate Group Year 9 Cup Final – Ysgol Gyfun Gwr 23 – 21 Gartholwg
U14 National Final (12-a-side) – Ysgol Bro Teifi 34 – 19 Bryn Hyfred
