The pair are of a similar stature, possess fast feet, blistering acceleration and both come from the Amman United club. Shane is Wales’ record try-scorer but his trademark high dive before touching down has been copied by Alex Williams, who leapt high and handsomely in a style reminiscent of the rugby great after bagging his opening score.
West Wales had another gem in No8 and official man of the match Jon Hapgood, who was a thorn in the side of Mid District at breakdowns, carried intelligently and was rewarded for his endeavor with two tries.
West Wales hooker Ashley Tewkesbury had taken a strike against the head at the opening scrum as they applied early pressure with captain James Garland going on the charge in midfield.
They seemed set to score seconds later following a line-out but Garland’s pass was intercepted by Mid District outside-half Matthew Lewis, who sprinted 70m to score and convert for a seven-point lead.
But Garland atoned for his error soon after the restart. He took a quick tap-penalty and found try-scorer Alex Williams. Full-back Steff Castle was narrowly wide with the conversion.
Lewis intercepted another pass but this time was caught by West Wales winger Luke Jones following a 50m chase.
Mid District lost Lewis to an ankle injury, Owain Davies temporarily replacing him with rolling substitutions allowed. West Wales were dangerous and wanted to play rugby with pace, adventure and width.
Davies was off-cue with a penalty attempt but Mid District seemed to be on the point of scoring after centre Jorden Williams went on a bullocking run. They shifted the ball right but Ryan Smith’s pass failed to find Dan Lewis deep in the West Wales 22.
West Wales wing Richard Brunton was on to it in a flash, scooping up the ball and winning an 80m foot race for a spectacular score. Castle converted and they were ahead, 12-7.
The eagle-eyed Alex Williams got his second try, spotting and darting through a gap near a ruck. Castle converted and they were 19-7 to the good at the end of an exciting first half.
Alex Williams perhaps could have had a hat-trick before half-time but had knocked on following a scintillating attack from deep. Lewis, whose damaged left ankle was heavily strapped when he returned, put over a penalty to reduce the arrears to nine points.
Captain Adam Phillips was on the end of a pushover try from a powerful scrummage 8m out, Lewis converting to put them two points from drawing level.
Mid District suffered a double-blow, having right-wing Ben Coles sin-binned for a deliberate knock-on and seconds later failing to stop Hapgood from driving his way over for their fourth try. Castle converted for them to lead 26-17.
Hapgood got their fifth from a driving line-out, Castle converting as they capitalized on tiring opponents.
The two teams at end of Districts Cup Final
TEAMS
West Wales RU: Steff Castle (Abercrave); Richard Brunton (Vardre), Jack Howells (St Clears), James Garland (captain, Vardre), Luke Jones (Vardre); Aled Roberts (Penygroes), Alex Williams (Amman Utd); Ross Jones (Alltwen), George Clarke (Amman Utd), Dorian Harris (Laugharne), Tomas Rees (Laugharne), Josh Collier (Vardre), Steff Roberts (Trimsaran), Finlay Cooke (Bynea), Jon Hapgood (Abercrave)
Reps: Owen Williams (Pen Y Banc), Rhys Phillips (Amman Utd), Rhys Lewis (Tumble), Gareth Jones (St Clears), Daniel Llewellyn (Vardre), James Griffiths (Cwmllynfell), Tom Caddell (Amman Utd), Lee Bates (Tumble).
Scorers: Tries: A Williams 2, J Hapgood 2, R Brunton; Cons: S Castle (4)
Mid District RU: Dan Lewis; Ben Coles, Ryan Smith, Jorden Williams (all Wattstown), Tom Morgan (Gwernyfed); Matthew Lewis (Wattstown), Nathan Webber; Nathan James, Ashley Tewkesbury (all Penygraig); Aiden O’Donaghue (Tylorstown), David Thomas (Penygraig),David Smith (Wattstown), James Cummins (Cefn Coed), David Norwell (Hirwaun), Adam Phillips (captain, Tylorstown)
Reps: Ryan Shewell, Owain Davies, Keiron Richards (all Tylorstown), Darryl Jones (Wattstown), Brandon Shaw (Hirwaun), Matthew Cook (Ynysowen), Brandon Shaw, Rhys Tarr (both Hirwaun), Liam Evans, Gareth Parsons (both Penygraig).
Scorers: M Lewis, A Phillips; cons: M Lewis (2); Pen: M Lewis.
Referee: John Dacey
