The weather is likely to play a part in what is the most attractive of fixtures in Conference A, with Glantaf sitting proudly on top of the table as the only unbeaten team in the eight-team league. Their wins to date include an opening day victory over Coleg y Cymoedd (36-20) and Cardiff & Vale College (20-12).
Whitchurch HS currently sit in fourth place after three wins and one defeat. They had a last gasp try from Fraser Britton to thank for their 27-22 triumph at Cardiff & Vale College last week.
Outside half Britton helped himself to 17 points in the game and is currently the tournament’s top points scorer. There was also another try for newcomer Harry Turner on the wing.
“We’ve had a good start to the season, and we could have won the one game we drew against Coleg Sir Gar,” said Glantaf’s head coach, Llywarch ap Myrddin.
“If we can beat Whitchurch, and I don’t think we’ve lost to them in my 10 years at the school, it will put us in a very strong position to reach the top four. We finish against Llandovery College in a repeat of last season’s final when we lost at Principality Stadium.
“We’d love to go one better than last year, but we can’t afford to look any further than what is going to be a very tough derby match at Whitchurch. It promises to be another gnarly contest and the weather forecast doesn’t look good.
“They’ve had a great start and are always a difficult team to play against, especially at home. Since we had the split into two Conferences in the tournament every game is intense.
“Your preparation week in, week out, has to be spot on and it is really challenging the players and helping to raise standards.”
After beating Cymoedd in their opening game there was a huge concern that Wales U18 hooker Tom Howe might be ruled out for a lengthy period after limping off with an ankle injury. The rising Cardiff Rugby Academy starlet made a speedy recovery and hasn’t missed a game to date.
“Tom is a very important player for us, and he has developed his game even more this season. Fellow Wales U18 cap Joseff Jones has done well on the wing for us once again after scoring a hat-trick against Cymoedd,” added Ap Myrddin.
“We have a good mix of first, and second year, players. Both Bailey Cutts and Will Adams have come into our lower sixth, settled well and broken into the team. Their efforts have been rewarded by call-ups to the Wales U18 training squad.
“We’ve also seen Gabe Williams grow into a real leader at the heart of our pack. He’s a little bit more dynamic than his elder brother, Cardiff’s Teddy Williams, and he was brilliant for us in the win over Coleg Llandrillo.”
While Glantaf currently lead the way, lurking just behind them are former multiple champions Sir Gar. They demolished reigning champions Llandovery College in a 38-7 victory at Parc y Scarlets last week and will be looking to extend their unbeaten run when they head north to face Coleg Llandrillo this week.
Dai Young’s Cardiff & Vale team will be hoping to hang on any lead they can establish against regional rivals Cymoedd at home after letting a 10-point advantage slip last week against Whitchurch. That meant they missed out on a second win of the campaign.
“It was disappointing to let our lead slip against Whitchurch and we have been working on that this week. I’ve only been in since June and it has been a sharp learning curve,” said Young.
“I’m really enjoying it and the boys have been great. We could, and probably should, have won a few more games.”
Llandovery will be hoping to piece things back together after losing for the first time last week against Sir Gar when they host Gower College. In Conference B, Gwent College are the only team among the 16 in WSC U18 Rugby who can still boast a 100% record after their 31-10 win at Bridgend College.
They host the Gwent derby against Newport HS in Round 5 as they seek to build on their five-point advantage at the top of the table over both Bridgend College and Newport HS.
CONFERENCE A
WSC U18 Rugby – Round 5 Fixtures
Wednesday, 16 October
Cardiff & Vale College v Coleg y Cymoedd
Coleg Llandrillo v Coleg Sir Gâr
Llandovery College v Gower College
Whitchurch HS v Ysgol Glantaf
WSC U18 Rugby – Round 4 Results
Cardiff & Vale College 22 – 27 Whitchurch HS
Coleg Llandrillo 19 – 43 Ysgol Glantaf
Coleg Sir Gâr 38 – 7 Llandovery College
Coleg y Cymoedd 43 – 12 Gower College
CONFERENCE B
WSC U18 Rugby – Round 5 Fixtures
Wednesday, 16 October
Bridgend College v Christ College, Brecon
Coleg Gwent v Newport HS
Coleg Sir Benfro v Ysgol Ystalyfera
Neath Port Talbot College v Ysgol Dyffryn Aman
WSC U18 Rugby – Round 4 Results
Bridgend College 10 – 31 Coleg Gwent
Coleg Sir Benfro 24 – 48 Newport HS
Neath Port Talbot College 19 – 26 Christ College, Brecon
Ysgol Ystalyfera 32 – 19 Ysgol Dyffryn Aman
