In a classic game of two halves, Bryn Celynnog sped into a 20-0 lead in the first half before they were forced to dig deep in the second half after their north Wales rivals staged a spirited revival that cut the gap to eight points at one stage
Despite their four-hour early morning trek from Bala to the Welsh capital the first of the four teams from Ysgol Godre’r Berwyn got off to a solid start in the U12 Girls Cup final, tackling like demons and seeking space whenever they could.
Led by Annie Blain, one of two daughters of former Wales international Lowri Blain (nee Davies) playing for their school on the day, they were seeking to back up their win over Bryn Celynnog in the final festival to earn a ticket to the #RTP24 finals day.
But having kept the Beddau-based school at bay in a helter-skelter opening, they found the pressure to much to handle and went on to concede four tries before the break. The first went to Bryn Celynnog skipper and No 8 Sophie Letman, who cleverly took a quick tap penalty five metres out before diving over.
Outside half Emie George showcased her pace, power and vision, scoring from 60 and then 80 metres. In between, flying wing Maizie Carrington turned on the after-burners to scorch to the left corner for another long-range try.
Godre’r Berwyn may have been down, but they were definitely not out. They raised their game in the second half and enjoyed much more possession and finally gained some momentum.
Having dominated the opening exchanges, they managed to get on the scoresheet after a scintillating run by Betsan Ap Gwynfor took the Gogs up to within a metre. The scrambling defence conceded a penalty and Blain needed no second invitation to tap, go and reach the line with a powerful lunge that earned them a much-deserved try.
It was Blain again who got the second as she powered over from another close-range penalty and added the conversion for good measure. Now the gap was down to eight points and Bryn Celynnog were under real pressure.
Cometh the hour, cometh the player Go.Compare player of the match as George galloped over in the left corner for her third and decisive try. Blain then hit back with her hat-trick try before Lola Davies added a sixth to seal it for Bryn Celynnog.
Bryn Celynnog U12: Jessie Blowers; Sophia Cole-Wilkins, Lola Davies, Maizie Carrington; Emie George, Lydia Slater; Coral Brush-Davies, Sophie Webb, Ava Parry, Destiny Ford, Daisy Rodgers-Skinner, Sophie Letman (captain)
Reps: Ruby James, Holly Hartnell-Ofrod, Maisie Easson
Scorers: T: George 3, Letman, Carrington Lola DaviesYsgol Godre’r Berwyn U12: Meg Davies; Catrin Jones, Betsan Ap[ Gwynfor, Nel Thorp, Louise Ann Jones; Malen Roberts, Blodwen Jones; Enlli Davies, Maisy Green, Grisial Jones, Jodie Thompson. Elin Davies, Awel Jones, Lily Richards, Annie Blain (captain)
Reps: Nia Roberts, Hana Williams, Megan Edwards, Liwsi Edwards
Scorers: T: Blain 3; C: BlainGo.Compare Player of the Match: Emie George (Bryn Celynnog)
