Two tries, a Go.Compare Player of the Match award and receipt of the Girls Schools U16 title as captain of the Bro Dinefwr side that ran in seven tries in a 43-10 triumph over north Walians Ysgol Godre’r Berwyn made it a great start for the Evans family.
Now Gruff gets his chance to take centre stage at the home of Welsh rugby as the Boys Schools U18 titles go up for grabs on the second day of the WRU’s ‘Road to Principality 24’ rugby extravaganza.
“It was a hell of a game against Godre’r Berwyn and it was just lovely seeing such a small school perform so well – it was amazing,” said a bloodied but unbowed Erin after starring in her side’s victory.
“It was a very physical game, which is our game and we enjoyed that. I’m just so glad we were able to score a few tries.
“It was such a brilliant opportunity for us to play at such a magnificent place as Principality Stadium. It’s a massive pitch and we had to take control of that.
“Everyone wants to score her and it was an amazing feeling getting over the line. My brother is here tomorrow, so it’s over to him now.”
A crowd of 200 pupils travelled from Carmarthenshire to support Erin’s side and Noah will be hoping for similar support in the U18 Vase Final today against county rivals Ysgol Bro Myrddin.
#RTP24 Day 2 – Welsh Senior Schools & Colleges Rugby Union U18 Finals
U18 Plate Final: Ysgol Bro Teifi v Ysgol Bro Pedr (1.00pm)
U18 Vase Final: Ysgol Bro Myrddin v Ysgol Bro Dinefwr (3.15pm)
U18 Cup Final: Ysgol Y Strade v Ysgol Maes y Gwendraeth (5.30pm)
Bro Myrddin come into the final in good form having won the West Wales Schools B League with seven wins out of eight games. Bro Dinefwr played in the A League, notching a notable home win over Cup finalists Maes y Gwendraeth.
First up on Day 2 will be Ysgol Bro Teifi against Ysgol Bro Pedr in the Plate. The third and final fixture will be a heavyweight clash between Ysgol Y Strade and Maes Y Gwendraeth. Strade, the reigning champions, just had the edge in their two league meetings, winning 26-13 away and 18-17 at home as they marched to the West Wales title.
Ysgol Y Strade with the 2023 trophy
Strade feature Wales U18 cap Keanu Evans among their squad, while Maes Y Gwendraeth boast two more members of the Scarlets squad that won the Regional Age Grade U18 title this year in Jac Moon, son of former Wales scrum half Rupert, and Elis Payne.
Strade will be seeking to hold onto the title they won last year in a thrilling 20-17 victory over the then reigning champions Ysgol Ystalyfera. No fewer than 10 of last year’s winning side – Cai Evans, Elis Penfold, Caio Williams, Harri Watts, Owain Armishaw, Toby Johnson, Joseph Gower, Max Thomas, Deiniol Edwards, Joseff Davies – are included in the Stade line-up.
#RTP Day 2 Line-Ups
Boy’s U18 Plate Final
Ysgol Bro Teifi U18: Gwydion Dafis; Noa Harries, Tomos Edwards, Osian Taylor, Tomos Lloyd Evans (captain); Cynyr Macrae, Ioan James; Steffan Davies-Williams, Benji Honey, Celt Davies, Guto Dafis, Bobi Jones, Celt Jones, Dafydd Jones, Osian Dafis
Reps: Dion Jones, Tomos James, Cynan Davies, Rhys Davies, Heylun Davies, Bedwyr Llywelyn, Noa Lloyd, Rhys Alwyn, Jack Brown, Morus NeedhamYsgol Bro Pedr U18: Osian Roberts; Gethin Evans, Elis Wiseman, Cai Allan, Sion Evans; Rhys Evans, Wil Hockenhull; Jorge Martin, Dewi Davies, Steffan Evans (captain), Teifi Austin Spooner, Jac Isaac, Efan Thomas, Antoni Budylowski, Levi Davies
Reps: Jack Herbert, Joey Griffiths, Konrad Syguda, Morgan Davies, Llyr Davies, Guto MilesBoy’s U18 Vase Final
Ysgol Bro Myrddin: Tomos Lewis; Deiniol Rees, Rhys Jones, Ewan Jones, Meilyr Thomas; Thomas Williams, Ioan Waters; Iago Dafydd, Steffan Jones, Tomos Dafydd Jones, Gruff Ellis-Jones, Sior Porter, Osian Jones, Gruff Owen, Charlie Thomas
Reps: Tomos Axford, Dan Evans, Dafydd Solway, Lloyd Wilkins Jones, Efan Parry, Dylan Davies, Dylan Davies, Rhidian John, Tomos Charles, Gethin MorganYsgol Bro Dinefwr: Macs Williams; Ifan Rees, Elis James, Harri Davies, Oscar Isaac; Ifan Davies (captain), William Edwards; Cai Harris, Steffan Jenkins, Lloyd Thompson, Gruff Jones, Noah Evans, Iwan Blakeman, Iwan Morgan, Hefin Hughes
Reps: Ashley Chappell, Louis Zhao, Ben Jones, Tal Williams, Morgan Ridgeway, Ewan Chater, Iolo EverattBoys U18 Cup Final
Ysgol Y Strade U18: Cai Evans; Harri Davies, Rhodri Roberts, Caio Williams, Elis Penfold; Harri Watts. Morgan Hughes; Ifan Williams, Joseff Davies, Alex Smith, Harri Arthur, Owain Armishaw, Toby Johnson, Deiniol Edwards, Joseph Gower
Reps: Tyler Johnson, Theo James, Jac Jones, Keanu Evans, Harvey Bisping, Oliver Rees, Joseph Reynolds, Rhys Hughes, Osian Lloyd-Probert, Jack BonnellMaes Y Gwendraeth U18: Rhys King; Iestyn Davies, Jac Jones, Lewys Roderick, Jack Melly; Noah Potter (captain), Jac Moon; Steffan Thomas, Griff Williams-Poles, Harri Price, Harri Bennett, Rhys Byrne, Llewelyn Jones, Llyr Daniel, Gethin Morgan
Reps: Elis Payne, Zac Payne, Gethin Lynch, Josh Jones, Finn Brownless, Matt Lloyd, Llew Rees, Macs Davies
