Pontypridd claim Welsh Schools Intermediate Sevens‏ Cup

The Under 15's schoolboy teams from all over Wales converged at Bank Fields in Llandovery on Saturday 27th April, for the annual Welsh Schools Intermediate Sevens. 

With the tournament well supported, the preliminary rounds got under way with a round robin competition to decide who progressed into the Dennis Walbeoff Bowl, Plate, and Cup Finals.

Cup winners Pontypridd celebrate with the trophy

Photos courtesy of AlfiePics

 Last year’s cup champions Llanelli had mixed results in their group, with Swansea looking the side in form. In the other groups, Carmarthen and the two Cardiff sides played some well-organised, hard-running sevens rugby, while Pontypridd were another stand-out team with some great power play rugby. These teams eventually contested the three finals.

Carmarthen faced off against Cardiff B in the Plate final

 The general standard of the competition was high, with Mynydd Mawr/Dynevor, Vale of  Glamorgan, RGC and Bridgend, all impressing.

Llanelli claim the Bowl title

The Bowl final was contested by Llanelli and Cardiff A. Llanelli were determined to make up for their earlier form and produced the goods. Playing an intelligent structured game, they created and scored some scintillating touchdowns to eventually dispatch Cardiff A 25-0 and take home the Bowl title.

The Plate final was another West v East battle with Carmarthen facing off against Cardiff B. Cardiff started strongly and Carmarthen had no answer to their powerful running.

The Capital side scored most of their points in the first half, and despite Carmarthen's defence tightening up in the second, the damage had already been inflicted. Carmarthen did threaten more as the match progressed but came up against a well-organised defence, with Cardiff B eventually triumphing 17-0

Cardiff 'B' celebrate their Plate triumph over Carmarthen

The day climaxed with the Cup final, with form teams Pontypridd and Swansea squaring off. Pontypridd quickly rattled up a three try lead with some great inter-passing and support.

 Ponty had the upper-hand at the breakdown and turned the ball over on a number of occasions with some aggressive counter-rucking.

CUP FINAL: Ponty see off Swansea 22-12

Swansea came back strongly in the second half scoring two great individual tries, but Pontypridd responded with a try of their own to seal a well-deserved 22-12 triumph.