They managed to cast aside their underdog tag in the semi-final at the Arms Park against unbeaten Ysgol Glantaf, winning a nailbiting classic 49-46, and now they have to get to grips with a team that beat them 47-27 in the regular Conference A campaign.
They are the most successful side in the history of the WRU’s elite schools and colleges competition with five wins in eight finals in 14 years prior to tonight. Can they bridge a gap dating back to the 2018-19 season to their last triumph in what will be their first final in five years?
“We lost comprehensively at Llandovery, but we are hoping to do what we did against Glantaf and pick up on the learnings from our first meeting,” said Cymoedd head coach Geraint Lewis.
“We know it’s not going to be easy, but after a disappointing day in Llandovery we hope to show a better version of ourselves in the final.
“It’s tough to be on top of your game every week in this league because you are playing virtually nine weeks in a row. When we played Glantaf in the semi-final they could have been out of sight by half time, but we hung in there and the boys were rewarded for that.
“It was a fluctuating game, and both sides had a period of momentum. What pleased me most was the character my players showed and the learnings they displayed from earlier matches.
“There is greater competition in this league now than in the past, and that is testament to the breadth of talent across the teams.
“It is a real privilege to be working with these young, aspiring players and I firmly believe the pathway they have is good enough to give them the opportunity to become the players they want to be in the future.”
Outside half Ben Coomer was the stand-out player in the semi-final, picking up the man of the match award for his 19-point contribution and his calm demeanor and control in a frantic game of 14 tries and 94 points.
Cymoedd outside half Ben Coomber
His head-to-head battle with Llandovery’s rising No 10 star Carwyn Leggatt-Jones should be one of the showpieces of the final. Leggatt-Jones was man of the match in last season’s final triumph against Glantaf and played for Wales U18.
His scrum half this season has been Louis Cooper, son of the former Wales and British & Irish Lions scrum half Gareth Cooper. Louis was in the Bridgend & District Schools team that won the Dewar Shield at U16 level at Principality Stadium last year.
“Carwyn is the full package and has been very influential for us, while our captain Gryff Watkins is generally getting two-or-three line breaks in every game. He is a real threat in our backline,” said Llandovery director of rugby Nathan Thomas.
“He was a revelation last year and he plays with total freedom. He has been a class performer for us.
“Everything we have seen from Carwyn, his array of kicks and his ability to make decisions right up in the face of the defence, is as good as anything I’ve seen. He is still only Year 12 and seems to be a lot wiser than his age.
“If he gets the right sort of support over the next few years, I don’t see how he can’t be playing professional rugby in the future.
“Other players to look out for are Tommy Williams on the wing. He is very raw as he has only been playing the game for three years, but as an athlete he is as good as they come.
“Kai Kinsey is another No 10 who has been playing at full back for us. He has been giving us a lot of confidence and had a great game against Cymoedd a few weeks ago.
“And hooker Owen Griffiths, who scoffed a try in last year’s victory over Glantaf, always brings maximum effort and intensity in everything he does.”
Llandovery College: Kai Kinsey; Thomas Williams, Owen Rickard, Gryff Watkins (captain), Noa Harris; Carwyn Leggatt-Jones, Louis Cooper; Llyr James, Owen Griffiths, Josh Wrigglesworth, Felix Godet, Ollie Lewis, Brayan Kamanga, Ross Rossi, Sam Gardner
Reps: Sam Cawsey, Hudson Nevin, Cameron Stewart, Gavin Bissell, Alfie Luger, Brychan Hopkins, Harrison Burke, Alex AsprouColeg Y Cymoedd: Rhys Wyatt; Cale Edwards, Ioan Leyshon, Logan Jones, Jack Piontecki; Ben Coomer, Joey Williams(captain); Dylan Barratt, Logan Lloyd, Evan Nicholls-Nyassue, Lucca Alexander-White, Caeron Davies, Lincoln Hall, Alfie John, Ioan Dacey
Reps: Brandon McCue, Wojciech Kudelka, Ethan Treharne-Ennis, Harvey Williams, Niall Evans, Taine Jones, Jack Cordy, Devon Shorney
