Jones has steered Gower College into the final on the back of an unbeaten campaign in Conference B that already includes a 38-17 away win over Sidoli’s Newport HS side. At stake is not only their year-long, unbeaten run, but a place in next season’s Conference A.
For the first time in the history of the elite tier of schoolboy and college rugby, there is promotion and relegation at stake between the two Conferences. While promotion is the goal for Jones and Sidoli’s sides, avoiding the dreaded drop from Conference A will be the goal for Coleg Gwent and Coleg Y Cymoedd.
Both games are being played at The Wern, with the relegation battle preceding the promotion match at 5.15pm.
“We were disappointed to find ourselves in the second tier, but the boys have worked hard to get to this position. Now they want to complete the job and get promoted for next year’s team,” said former Dragons and Wales hooker, Jones.
“We’ve got a lot of players in their second seasons with us, and the final is going to be a massive showcase for those players who want to push for a place in the Ospreys regional age grade U18 side. We’ve got three in the Ospreys Academy and a number of others that deserve to be given a chance.
“Dan Gemine has captained the side superbly this season and has had two stalwarts helping him out in outside half Sam Williamson, and flanker Seb Davies, who is the Ospreys U18 skipper. Matt Boskey has scored some special tries for us on the wing.
“We’d love to make it nine wins in a row this season, and to complete the year without a defeat, but we know how tough it is going to be. Newport HS were the best side we met in the Conference and it is all about us controlling the ball, as we did against Christ College, Brecon in the semi-final.”
Newport HS only lost one game on their way to the final, and saw off new boys Ysgol Ystalyfera 27-21 in the semis. Dylan Roberts leads the side from the back row and Aneurin Evans controls matters for them at No 10.
“We’re trying to treat it as just another game, rather than a promotion battle. We want the players to go out and express themselves, rather than be worried about the pressure of the occasion,” said 2005 Welsh Grand Slammer, Sidoli.
“We know they are unbeaten and they play in a way that suits them. Even so, we feel we can challenge for the result.
“Some of the games in our league have been of a very high standard this season. The new format has been excellent, but we’d love to be back in the top tier next season.”
TEAMS
Conference A Relegation
Coleg y Cymoedd v Coleg Gwent
Conference B Promotion
Gower College v Newport HS
While The Wern will be the venue for the promotion and relegation games, there are also other fixtures going on to determine final places in the two Conferences. The other fixtures on Wednesday, 29 November are:
Conference A
3rd Place Play-Off
Cardiff & Vale College v Coleg Sir Gar (2.30pm)
5th Place Play-Off
Whitchurch HS v Coleg Llandrillo (2.30pm)
Conference B
3rd Place Play-Off
Christ College, Brecon v Ysgol Ystalyfera (2.30pm)
5th Place Play-Off
Bridgend College v Ysgol Dyffryn Aman (2.30pm)
7th Place Play-Off
Neath Port Talbot College v Coleg Sir Benfro (2.30pm, The Gnoll)
