Wales almost completed a “Grand Slam” of victories, but lost
to hosts England at the final hurdle in
a busy week that took in five matches over eight days.
A 46-man squad crossed the Severn Bridge, with every member
of the squad playing a full part.
First up for the young Welsh side was the USA, and they
convincingly won 45-16. Wales scored seven tries, including two for Penallta
and Dragons wing Patric Lewis and one for Llandovery and Scarlets full back
Jack Evans, who also scored 10 points with the boot for a personal tally of 15.
Davies said: “The USA were a big, physical side but we
showed our intention to play as much rugby with the ball in hand as possible.
“We managed to break them as the game wore on and, despite
some errors, the most pleasing aspect was that we managed to put together some
of the multi-phase rugby we had set out to do and challenge the opposition with
the ball in hand.”
Next up was Scotland. Two tries from Dragons full back Jared
Rosser, a further one from fellow Dragons back Lloyd Lewis and 12 points from
Blues outside-half Luke Fish set up a 27-7 half-time lead. But there was a drop
in performance in the second half, and Scotland pegged Wales back to a single
point, yet they held on.
Davies explained: “Our first-half performance against
Scotland was excellent when we managed to keep the ball for long periods and
capitalise on that possession. It was disappointing, however, to concede a try
just before half time at 27-0 up and in the second half we lost our cohesion
after changes were made.”
With those two matches uncapped, France were up next in the
first of two capped Test matches. In a competitive match, Wales were able to
overcome France’s physicality and set the tempo, especially in the second half,
running in four tries in all from Patric Lewis, Harry Randall, Rhys Gealy and
Jack Evans. Evans added two first-half penalties and a second-half conversion
to make the final score 25-6 to Wales.
The squad then prepared for a clash with the Saracens
Under-17 side and the final clash with England.
They trailed the older, more experienced Saracens side 31-8
at half-time, but produced an outstanding demonstration of attacking rugby to score
39 unanswered second-half points and come away worthy winners.
London Irish and Forest School centre John Williams scored
two tries, as did Patric Lewis, with Shaun Pearce and Steff Taffetsaufer also
touching down and replacement outside-half Luke Fish adding 14 points from the
boot.
Davies said of the comeback: “The boys came out with a real
attitude and desire after half-time, producing the best half of rugby I’ve seen
by any age grade team. It was a real highlight for everyone involved and the
offloading, the running lines, the ruck speed and the multi-phase play all
contributed to a second half where we tore the opposition apart.”
The England Test was undeniably the toughest challenge, but
Wales got off to a promising start. They
were 15-3 up at half time thanks to tries from Scarlets centre Matthew Pearce
and Ospreys wing Rhys Gealy, and a conversion and penalty for Jack Evans.
But England came back strongly, scoring some fantastic tries
of their own alongside some critical Welsh errors to win 32-26.
Davies said of the reverse: “It was disappointing not to win
that game, and while it doesn’t make losing that match any easier, the players
certainly made a huge amount of progress in the lead-up to it.
“They responded well to what was asked of them and I’m sure
the experience of training and playing together in a tournament environment
will stand them in good stead as they take the next steps in age grade rugby.
“I feel the standard of player is rising year on year, and
the work the regional age grade coaches are doing means that the players are
more skilful when they come to us, particularly in the contact area, which
means we can achieve so much more in a short time.
“Three of this squad, Patric Lewis, Harry Randall and Jared
Rosser, will still be eligible for Welsh Schools Under-16 next year while many
others, I believe, have the talent and hunger to go on to achieve a lot more in
age grade rugby at least.”
Results:
Welsh Schools Under-16
A 45–16 USA Under-16
Tries: Patric Lewis (2), Sid Blackmore, Curtis
Povey, Matthew Pearce, Jack Evans, John Williams
Cons: Jack Evans (2)
Pens: Jack Evans (2)
Welsh Schools Under-16
A 27–26 Scotland Under-16
Tries: Jared Rosser (2), Lloyd Lewis
Cons: Luke Fish (3)
Pens: Luke Fish (2)
Welsh Schools Under-16
25–6 France Under-16
Tries: Patric Lewis, Harry Randall, Rhys Gealy,
Jack Evans
Cons: Jack Evans
Pens: Jack Evans (2)
Welsh Schools Under-16 47–31 Saracens Under-17
Tries: Patric Lewis (2), John Williams (2), Shaun
Pearce, Steff Taffetsaufer
Cons: Luke Fish (4)
Pens: Luke Fish (2), Josh Malson
Welsh Schools
Under-16 26–32 England Under-16
Tries: Rhys Gealy (2), Matthew Pearce
Cons: Jack Evans
Pens: Jack Evans (3)
Welsh Schools U16
squad:
Forwards: Sam Brinkworth (Blues South/Whitchurch
HS/Rumney), Rhys Fawcett (Scarlets/Pembroke/Pembroke), Rhys Forse (Blues South/Barry
HS), Dai Harris (Blues North/Tonypandy Comp/Ystrad Rhondda), Gerwyn Coleman
(Blues North/Tonypandy/Ystrad Rhondda), Aldi Coverdale (Blues South/Glantaf/Llanishen),
Jack Davies (Dragons/Oakdale/Abertillery), Matthew Moore (Scarlets/Bryngwyn/Llanelli
Wanderers), Kieron Asseratti (Blues North/Porth County/Treorchy), Richard
Bassett (Scarlets/Strade/Llanelli Wanderers), Leon Brown (Dragons/St Josephs/St
Josephs), Joel Ringer (Blues South/Stanwell/Cowbridge), Jacob Blackmore
(Ospreys/Cefn Saeson/Tonmawr), Callum Haggett (Blues North/Tonyrefail/Ystrad
Rhondda), Tom Hayward (Blues South/Radyr CS/Pentyrch), Bryce Morgan
(Dragons/Caerleon High/Caerleon), Shaun Evans (Scarlets/Bryngwyn/Felinfoel),
Dan Holder (Blues South/Cowbridge CS/Cowbridge), Lloyd Phillips
(Dragons/Monmouth/Abergavenny), Sid Blackmore (Blues South/Cathedral HS/Llandaff),
Shaun Edwards (Scarlets/Strade/Llanelli Wanderers), Morgan Sienawski (Blues
North/Bryn Celynnog/Llantwit Fadre), Joe Gaughan (Blues South/Cowbridge CS/Cowbridge),
Josh Macleod (Scarlets/Bro Gwaun/Crymych), Steff Taffetsauffer
(Scarlets/Strade/Llanelli Wanderers), Stephen Leonard (Scarlets/Newcastle
Emlyn/Newcastle Emlyn)
Backs: Matthew Aubery (Ospreys/Pontarddulais/Pontarddulais),
Liam Free (Blues South/Whitchurch/Llandaff), Harry Randall (Scarlets/Llandovery
Coll/Kidwely), Rhodri Rees (Scarlets/Strade/Pontarddulais), Luke Fish (Blues South/St
Illtyds/Rumney), Callum Hall (Blues North/Mountain Ash/Pontypridd), Josh Malson
(Dragons/St Albans/Pontypool Utd), James Hussey (Dragons/Caldicot/Abergavenny),
Billy McBryde (Scarlets/Maes yr Yrfa/Tumble), Matthew Pearce (Scarlets/Strade/Llanelli
Wanderers), Owen Watkin (Ospreys/Llangynwyd/Bryncethin), Lloyd Lewis
(Dragons/Gwynllyw/Croesyceiliog), John Williams (Exiles/Forest School/London
Irish), Patric Lewis (Dragons/Lewis Boys/Penallta), Shaun Pearce
(Scarlets/Strade/Llanelli Wanderers), Jack Evans (Scarlets/Llandovery Coll/Llandovery),
Curtis Povey (Blues North/Tonypandy/Ystrad Rhondda), Jared Rosser
(Dragons/Abersychan/Pontypool Utd), Rhys Gealy (Ospreys/Gwyr/Pontarddulais),
Kieran Jones (Scarlets/Dyffryn Taf/Carmarthen Quins)
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