The Ysgol Ystalyfera student was at the heart of a raw-boned pack that set-up a 36-26 victory in the U18 Spirit of Youth final against Christ College, Brecon at Principality Stadium on day four of the ‘Road to Principality 2022’ showpiece finals.
He thundered over for the fifth and final try for his side as they went just far enough ahead not to fall foul of a valiant fightback in the final quarter from the Brecon team who found themselves 24 points adrift at one stage in the second half.
“It has been a great season for me and this really caps it off. It doesn’t get any better than winning a final at the Principality with all your best mates,” said Morse.
“It was a really tough game, and Brecon gave us a big test, but we stuck together and pulled through. It might not have been as physically demanding as playing at U20 level, but it was pretty fast and furious out there.”
One of Morse’ back row colleagues, David Francis, had a first half to remember as he scored two tries to help Ystalyfera move into a 24-12 half-time lead. Their opening try came from scrum half Rhodri Lewis-Rees.
The Ospreys Academy player has been playing senior rugby with home club Seven Sisters this season and was a constant threat on both sides of the ball. His second try was a spectacular effort.
Morgan Morse looks to offload against Christ College
After breaking the first line of defence in his own half, he kicked ahead and then won the race for the ball to score at the posts. Cellan Carter added the extras and then kicked a penalty on the stroke of half-time to give his side a 12-point interval lead.
Christ College featured three players who had been at Principality Stadium as part of the all-conquering Builth Wells Youth team last weekend, when they won the National Youth Cup against Bridgend Athletic.
Alecs Williams was one of the try scorers in that game and he followed No 8 Owen Conquer to the line to keep Brecon in touch at the break.
“It was great being back at Principality Stadium so soon after the win last weekend. It was hard on the legs and it was a shame not being able to pick up another win,” said Williams.
“That’s the first 15-a-side game I’ve lost all season. I played in 17 of the 18 games the Builth Wells Youth team played in their unbeaten season and we’d had 14 wins and a draw with the school prior to the final.
“Fair play to Ystalyfera, they were a very strong team and we just left ourselves with too much to do in the end. It was another special occasion for all of us.”
Ystalyfera struck with their fourth try immediately after the re-start, centre and skipper Kian Abraham crossing after latching onto a neat kick ahead. Carter added the extras, but couldn’t then improve the try from close range by Morse.
Even so, with a 24 point lead it looked like being plain sailing for Abraham’s men from thereon. It didn’t turn out that way, though, as Christ College struck back.
A great solo effort from centre Dylan Skyrme, cutting in from the right to score at the posts for a try that Jack Griffiths improved, cut the gap and then Abraham picked up a yellow card for a late tackle.
Brecon seized their chance and sent tight head prop Dan Heselton barrelling over for another score that Griffiths converted. That cut the gap to 10-points, but time ran out and Ystalyfera carried off the title.
U18 Men’s Plate Final – Stanwell Comprehensive 18 – 7 Penweddig
It was a tight affair in the opening game of the day as two first half penalties from outside half Rhys Mottram edged Stanwell Comprehensive, from Penarth, into a 6-0 interval lead against Penweddig in the battle for the U18 Plate.
Stanwell came into the final against the side from Aberystwyth having held their nerve in a 19-17 semi-final triumph over Bro Edern and coped well with the pressure of the big occasion at Principality Stadium.
They built on their half-time lead with tries from Liam Brookes and Mottram, with the latter also adding a conversion. Penweddig replied with a try from Lloyd Ellis Jones and a conversion from Steffan Jac Jones.
U18 Men’s Circle IT Vase Final – Preseli 19 – 47 Coleg Sir Gar II
In the U18 Circle IT Vase final, Coleg Sir Gar 2nd XV were too strong for Preseli in a game of 10 tries. Iestyn Wood scored one in each half for the losers and Joel Davies ran in another. Charlie Davies added two conversions.
But Sir Gar were always in the driving seat and ran-in five tries in the first half and two more after the break to win 47-19. Gabe McDonald grabbed a brace in the opening period and was followed to the line by Jack Stone, Steffan Evans and Tiaan Evans.
After the break, Carwyn Lynch and Dafydd Thomas added further tries. Steffan Evans kicked six conversions for a match tally of 17 points.
U18 Women’s Celtic Camping Trophy Final – Llandovery College 22 – 46 Coleg Gwent
Amy Williams was the star of the show for Coleg Gwent in the 12-a-side U18 Celtic Camping Trophy final as she scored a hat-trick of tries to steer her side to a convincing win.
It was tight at half-time, with Gwent leading by a mere two points at 17-15, but they powered on from their to win the title. As well as William’s hat-trick, there were also two tries from Molly Wakely and further scores from Summer Chick and Natalia Barnes. Barnes also kicked three conversions.
Llandovery College fought hard from start to finish and saw Lucy Davies and Jean De Verra both score twice. Maisie Davies added a conversion.
ROAD TO PRINCIPALITY 2022 – WSRU Senior Schools & Colleges U18 Group
U18 Men’s Plate Final – Stanwell Comprehensive 18 – 7 Penweddig
U18 Men’s Circle IT Vase Final – Preseli 19 – 47 Coleg Sir Gar II
U18 Women’s Celtic Camping Trophy Final – Llandovery College 22 – 46 Coleg Gwent
U18 Men’s Spirit of Youth Cup Final – Christ College, Brecon 26 – 36 Ysgol Ystalyfera
