At stake will be a place in the top tier of the Welsh Rugby Union’s flagship schools and colleges tournament next season. Coleg Gwent were relegated last year after losing the play-off match and coach Matthew Jones is hoping for a swift return to Conference A.
It has been a case of so far, so good for his side with maximum points taken from all seven league fixtures. Then they scored seven tries in a 51-29 win over Ysgol Ystalyfera in the semi-final.
Newport HS won five of their seven league matches to finishing third. Their only defeats came away from home against Coleg Gwent (29-10) and Ystalyfera (24-14), and had a last gasp penalty from outside half Tom Howard to thank for their 12-10 semi-final win over Bridgend College to set-up a shot at promotion.
“It’s a Gwent derby and also a promotion battle, so there is a lot at stake. We may have gone unbeaten to this stage, but the whole season comes down to this one game,” said Jones.
“We picked up a bonus point win against them in the league, but it wasn’t an easy game. So many of the players from both sides train and play together in the Dragons Academy and are good friends, so that will add an extra bit of edge to the occasion.
“Both teams have suffered some injuries, and we will be without second row Sam Carter, hooker Chester Creel and centre Morgan Carter. It has taken a special effort from the whole squad to get to this stage and our bench has the ability to improve the team and make a real impact.
“The plan is to go out there, win and get back into Conference A. We won the title in the 2019/20 season and that shows the standard we are able to achieve.”
The 11-8 win over Coleg Y Cymoedd five years ago was with a team that included five players who have played for the Dragons to date – Olly Andrews, Joe Westwood, Che Hope, Joe Peard and Sam Scarfe – while Joe Cowell is in the Cardiff Rugby squad.
There are currently 70 players in the Coleg Gwent rugby programme and Jones is joined by current Pontypool back row man Scott Matthews and Ebbw Vale outside half in the coaching team.
Former Wales second row Rob Sidoli leads the Newport HS programme and his side will have Dragons junior academy players Tiehi Chatham, Elliot Beavan, Noah Morgan and David Petrescu looking to make an impact.
It was scrum half Rhys Griffiths who scored the try in the semi-final win with his half back partner Howard kicking the rest of the points.
Coleg Gwent: Charlie Ferris; Rhys Cole, Charlie Gregory, Tegwyn Mahoney, Regan Watkins; Will Ford, Cai Wardman; Lewys Robinson-Blanche, Tiaan Hall, Scott Crew, Josh Bradley, Ashton Swain, Jake Sheppard, Luca Manning, Cerrig Smith
Reps: Iestyn Gould, Henry Spear, Joseph Ali, Riley Mogford, Paddy Bateman, Jake Jenkins, Ashley Clease, Lewis Hannam
Newport HS: TBC
