DC Thomas Plate Final Llanelli Vs Pontypridd

DC Thomas Plate Final 12th May 2010
Pontypridd SRU 29 Llanelli SRU 5
PONTYPRIDD COMPLETE U/11 DOUBLE FOR BLUES REGION SCHOOLS’ DISTRICTS
Following Cardiff’s victory over Newport (Dragons) in the DC Thomas Cup earlier this month, Pontypridd District Schools’ U/11’s emerged victorious over Llanelli (Scarlets) after a competitive and highly entertaining final of the DC Thomas Plate competition.
Pontypridd returned to Dunvant RFC for the second successive year to compete in the Plate Final and there was a steely determination within the squad to better the previous year’s result when a disappointing performance led to defeat. However after the first five minutes, which had been dominated by an equally ambitious and talented Llanelli team, Pontypridd trailed 0-5 and hadn’t progressed beyond their own 10m line!
In the next ten minutes PSRU struggled to overcome a powerful Llanelli pack and midfield, gradually achieving parity and eventually gaining the upper hand. They were led superbly once again by captain Gruffydd Lloyd, also prominent were scrum half Carl Blacker, forwards Dafydd Smith, Matthew Wilmot, Jay Jones;- who came off his sick bed to play- and hooker Liam Beere -who battled his way through the volcanic ash to return from Spain just in time to play the match. After a series of driving rucks and short passing second row, Alun Lawrence scored a typically bulldozing try, crossing the line despite the efforts of two Llanelli defenders he carried on his back.
If the main theme of the match was a ‘war of attrition’ between the two packs and the well-matched midfields; the try which put Pontypridd into a lead they would not surrender, came courtesy of a flash of brilliant play from full back Steele Quirke; linking with winger Ben Evans in his own half, he scythed through the covering defence and just when it seemed he was about to be tackled short of the line, off-loaded to supporting centre Rhodri Smith who scored under the posts and converted himself, giving Pontypridd a 12-5 half-time lead.
After the break Llanelli again stretched Pontypridd, but were countered by the forwards in the tight and were unable to breach the blitz defence in midfield. Time and again Dylan Hughes, George Harris and the rest of the backs thwarted Llanelli attacks before they had a chance to develop. Replacements Iwan Cavill, Liam Malkin, Jac Smith, Dewi Matthews and Liam Dando all came on at the start of, or early, in the second half. That the level of team performance didn’t fall reflected the contributions made by the whole squad–this despite the fact that among the players they replaced were three East Wales representative players.
Pontypridd pressurised the Llanelli line and scored a third try after another Alun Lawrence run when he off-loaded for prop Callum Hall to score. A similar passage of play led to a try from wing forward Jack Archer, converted by Dewi Cross. The game finished with another close-range try from Pontypridd’s outstanding attacking threat, Steele Quirke, which capped a marvellous individual performance.
The point’s difference in the 29-5 score line flattered Pontypridd- the game was much closer than this- but demonstrated the commitment of all twenty players to their defensive duties.
During the traditional after-match banquet (of sausage, beans and chips!) captains Gruffydd Lloyd and Ellis Thomas (Llanelli) thanked all concerned; the referee, coaches, parents and Dunvant RFC for their hospitality. Everyone present had thoroughly enjoyed the occasion, which for neutrals, had produced an enthralling game of rugby between two committed, enthusiastic and able teams.
After the match the Pontypridd U/11 coaches reflected, that like many rugby teams throughout Wales, we had struggled to find consistency in the mid part of the season due to a large number of matches cancelled because to the poor weather. However the commitment and enthusiasm of the boys in training was rewarded in their performances in the last games of the season. Whilst we often hope for an ‘easy draw’ we didn’t get one! The qualities of opposition in South Powys (34-10), Cynon Valley (19-0), Vale of Glamorgan (26-0) and Llanelli in the final, gave our boys a target of an increasingly high level of performance needed in order to achieve progress in the competition. During the four game cup-run we met four able and determined opposition Districts’ and scored 112 points; conceding just 15. Da iawn bechgyn, well done!
Author; Mark Condron Chairman PSRU

DC Thomas Plate Semi Final

In the last round we beat Cynon Valley 19 nil. Three days before, the Vale of Glamorgan beat them 49 7, so we knew we had to be at our best to have any chance of a result.
The first ten minutes was a see-saw affair. First we attacked strongly with our forwards rucking powerfully giving the backs good ball then the Vale would do the same. Steele Quirke then saw a gap on the halfway line, hit it at the perfect angle and broke free and out sprinted the defence to score. Rhodri Smith converted.
With the forwards playing brilliantly as one strong unit and giving Carl Blacker an armchair ride, Steele was given the ball and again sprinted over the white wash for a try.
In defence, the backs were regularly putting their opponents under constant pressure by rushing up and putting in some strong tackles. The forwards would turnover plenty of ball by being brave and working together. Time and time again the pack would off load to a supporting player or go to ground and set up a ruck placing the ball for Carl to pass to Dewi Cross. Shortly before half time, the forwards set up an attack in the Vale’s 22 and created a ruck. Carl picked up the ball, dummied to Dewi and went over for the third try.
In the second half the Vale stepped up their challenge and attacked hard and ran hard at the Pontypridd players but they stayed strong and absorbed each and every attack. No one missed a tackle and kept working till the end. The final try was scored by our human bulldozer, Alun Lawrence who crashed over with about four Vale of Glamorgan players on his back. Dewi converted for the extra two points.
With ten minutes left, on came the replacements but they didn’t weaken the side at all. In fact they strengthened the side. Their fresh legs ran strong and hard which inspired the rest of the team who tackled as if their lives depended on it. Pontypridd were determined that the Vale would not cross to score. Time and time again the Vale players attacked and tried to find a way to the try line but each time they were knocked back and couldn’t find a weakness in our defence.
All the coaches agreed that the Vale of the Glamorgan had met Pontypridd in blistering form with all players playing their best game of the season. However, with Llanelli awaiting us in the final, it is imperative that the boys don’t drop their standards.

Bridgend XV 21 Pontypridd XV 19

Saturday April 24th

This was a very entertaining game played on a wide, hard pitch in perfect weather. Both teams fielded a mixture a mixture of A & B players; omitting their East/West Wales players.- Pontypridd's team included seven U/10's who will be available for next season.
Pontypridd had the better of the first half and led 19-7 after tries by Dylan Hughes, Dewi Matthews and Dewi Cross; two of which were converted by Dewi Cross.
Whilst the whole team put in a very good performance they were unlucky to lose to a Bridgend side that utilised their pace out wide in the second half.
There were many excellent individual performances which will give the coaches a nice selection headache before next week's semi-final match against Vale of Glamorgan.
Team; 1 Evan Holmes, 2 Liam Dando, 3 Jay Jones, 4 Liam Malkin, 5 Tyler Morgan, 6 Jack Archer, 7 Dafydd Smith, 8 Dewi Matthews, 9 Steele Quirke, 10 Dewi Cross, 11 George Harris, 12 Rhodri Smith,(captain)13 Dylan Hughes, 14 Ben Evans, 15 Dafydd LLoyd, 16 Sean Grainger, 17 Dion Mota, 18 Calyde Mullock, 19 Daniel Coles.

Pontypridd 17 Cynon Valley 0

Saturday 17th April
DC Thomas Plate Quarter Final
PSRU U/11 travelled to Abercwmboi RFC to play our near neighbours in the Plate Quarter Final. The fine weather was matched by the opulent facilities of the home club!
The game was keenly contested and much closer than the score line suggests. Despite having the majority of territory and possession in the first half, resolute defence from Cynon Valley restricted PSRU to a single try, scored by winger Ben Evans.
In the second half Pontypridd’s defence was tested time and again by the Cynon Valley team and that we protected our line under great pressure speaks volumes for the commitment of the whole team. Whilst our captain Gruffydd Lloyd once again had an outstanding game; the whole Pontypridd squad contributed to the victory, with every player tackling and pressurising their counterparts in defence.
Alun Lawrence was prominent in attack, as were our midfield quartet of Dewi Cross, Rhodri Smith, Jack Smith and Steele Quirke. Hooker Liam Beere scored our second try finishing off a sustained attack, converted by Rhodri Smith. This was followed by a late solo effort from scrum half Carl Blacker (converted by Dewi Cross)-which capped an excellent display from our East Wales number nine and sealed the victory.
The match was a great advert for U/11 District Rugby and both teams can be proud of their performances and their contribution to the game.
Pontypridd will play the winners of Bridgend and Vale of Glamorgan in the semi-final.
TEAM; 1 Liam Malkin (Liam Dando) 2 Liam Beere 3 Callum Hall 4 Alun Lawrence 5 Jack Archer (Tyler Morgan) 6 Iwan Cavil 7 Dafydd Smith (Dewi Matthews) 8 Gruffydd Lloyd 9 Carl Blacker 10 Dewi Cross 11 George Harris 12 Jac Smith 13 Rhodri Smith 14 Ben Evans (Dylan Hughes) 15 Steele Quirke
SCORERS; Tries; Ben Evans, Liam Beere & Carl Blacker. Conversions; Rhodri Smith & Dewi Cross

Pontypridd XV 7 Newport XV 41

Thursday March 27th

Both teams fielded a mixture a mixture of A & B players; leaving out their eight East Wales final triallists. With five of our A team pack in the East Wales squads, this favoured the Newport team whose pack were stronger and in the wet slippery conditions dominated the game from the start.
There was some good play individually from the home team, which included nine Year Five players, but on the whole there is much room for improvement, particularly in defence, where we allowed Newport too much time and freedom to run.
Dewi Cross was Pontypridd's only scorer when he converted his own try with the last move of the match.
Team; 1 Evan Holmes, 2 Liam Dando, 3 Sean Grainger, 4 Liam Malkin, 5 Jack Archer, 6 Dion Mota, 7 Dafydd Smith, 8 Dewi Matthews, 9 Daniel Coles, 10 Dewi Cross, 11 George Harris, 12 Jac Smith,(captain)13 Louis Baker, 14 Dylan Hughes, 15 Dafydd LLoyd, 16 Tyler Morgan, 17 Aneurin Wlaker, 18 Calyde Mullock.

South Powys 10 Pontypridd 34

Saturday 6th March
PSRU REACH SEMI-FINALS OF THE DC THOMAS PLATE COMPETITION

PSRU U/11's travelled to Brecon to take on South Powys in the Quarter Final of the DC Thomas Plate Competition.
Despite enjoying most of the early territory and possession we found ourselves 5-0 and then 10-7 down to a courageous South Powys team which had efficiently defended our attempted wide attacks and utilised their pace behind the scrum to score two break-away tries.
A change of attacking options coupled with an improved blitz defence proved to be the game winning tactics. Direct gain line breaking runs from Jac Smith, Steele Quirke and Rhodri Smith in midfield and sniping runs from scrum half Carl Blacker opened up the South Powys defence. Winger Ben Evans, scored one of our six tries, the first two of which were converted by Dewi Cross.
Whilst our backs provided the initial line breaks it was the play of the forwards led by captain Gruffydd Lloyd that clinched the tie. The whole pack can be commended for their support play, commitment and persistence. Three tries from Alun Lawrence, one from Gruff and a final try from Keillan Mahoney sealed the victory for Pontypridd.
South Powys will look forward with optimism to the Bowl Competition whilst Pontypridd await the winners of the Dinefwr/Cynon Valley tie in the semi-finals.
TEAM; 1 Callum Hall (Jack Archer) 2 Liam Beere (Liam Dando) 3 Jay Jones 4 Alun Lawrence 5 Matthew Wilmot 6 Iwan Cavil (Keillan Mahoney) 7 Dafydd Smith (Liam Malkin) 8 Gruffydd Lloyd 9 Carl Blacker 10 Rhodri Smith 11 George Harris 12 Jac Smith 13 Dewi Cross 14 Ben Evans (Dylan Hughes) 15 Steele Quirke
SCORERS Alun Lawrence 3 tries, Grufydd Lloyd, Ben Evans, Keillan Mahoney 1 try, Dewi Cross 2 conversions.

Newport 'B' 12 Pontypridd 'B'/DEVELOPMENT TEAM 5

Thursday 4th March

A depleted Pontypridd team travelled to Pil Harriers RFC to play Newport District 'B' team. Liam Malkin was the sole try scorer for Pontypridd.
Disappointingly only one of the seven selected players who failed to turn up texted Mr. Stokes and we had to borrow two home players to make our fifteen.
TEAM; 1 Shaun Grainger 2 Liam Dando 3 (A N Other) 4 Liam Malkin 5 Dion Mota 6 Jack Archer 7 Keillan Mahoney 8 (A N Other) 9 Aneurin Walker 10 Arwel Powell 11 Daniel Coles 12 Dylan Hughes 13 Louis Baker 14 Calyde Mullock 15 Dafydd Lloyd
SCORER Liam Malkin 1 try