Scarlets U16s see off their Blues North rivals

The Scarlets U16s produced a gritty and determined performance to see off their Blues North rivals 11-3 in a hard-fought encounter at Parc y Scarlets.

Scarlets full-back Jack Evans looks to test the Blues' defence

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Defence was very much on top for the opening half as both sides battled to establish a foothold in the match.

The hosts were rewarded for the stronger start when full-back Jack Evans fired home a penalty in the fifth minute to take a 3-0 lead.

However, the Blues regrouped and looked the more threatening as the half wore on and soon levelled things up with a penalty of their own.

With it all square at the break, the Scarlets came out in the second half with a slight wind advantage and they used it to good effect to up the pressure on their opponents as they looked to turn the screw.

Scarlets managed to turn pressure into points when Evans was once again on target in the 50^th minute to restore his side’s advantage.

The Blues North probed but couldn't find away through the Scarlets' resistance

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The Blues responded, upping their intensity and tempo in attack as they tested the Scarlets’ resolve in defence, but the West Walians showed great grit and determination to clear up-field and leave their line intact.

In such a tight game, you had to feel that the visitors might rue their missed opportunities in their opponents’ half and this proved to be the case when, five minutes from time, the Scarlets worked the ball out-wide for speedster Shaun Pearce to go over in the corner.

Even though the hosts missed the resulting conversion, the eight point advantage gave the Scarlets enough breathing space to hold out and condemn the Blues North to their second consecutive defeat.

Elsewhere, the Ospreys secured a 13-5 home win over the Dragons at Llandarcy.

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Scarlets U16's romp to 32-0 win in East v West battle

The Scarlets showed great adventure in attack

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The Scarlets Under 16 showed all the running flair that has made their senior counterparts so many fans over the years, as they dismantled the Dragons U 16’s 32-0 at Parc y Scarlets.

Full back Jack Evans was the stand-out performer for the hosts, notching up 17 points as the Scarlets showed that West was best on this occasion.

Playing into the wind in the first half, the Scarlets showed good composure and authority beyond their years to steal a march on their rivals.

The Scarlets went ahead as early as the 7^th minute when, after great forward work, the pressure built on the Dragons line and they were unable to stop prop Richard Bassett bulldozing his way over, Evans adding the extras.

The Dragons were unable to find a way through the Scarlets defence.

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The Dragons did their best to hit back but came up against a resilient defence and they were once again on the back foot. A solid scrum on half way provided the Scarlets backs the chance to shine, with Evans on hand showing supreme pace to scythe through the opposition and go beneath the posts.

After the break, it was once again one way traffic as the hosts ran the ball at every opportunity, generating further touchdowns coming from Billy McBryde and Keiron Jones.

In the night's other regional fixture, Blues North were 20-18 narrow 

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Blues U18's enjoy convincing win

The Blues Under 18s enjoyed a convincing 32-12 win at the Dairyfield on 
Wednesday against their Gloucester counterparts.

They created more attacking possibilities in good field positions than the West 
Country youngsters and had the backs to finish them off.

In front of a healthy crowd, who were rewarded by the appearance of the sun 
before the kick off, they were 13-7 up at half time.

Tries were scored by Kent Birch and Ollie Smyth, and Tom McAloon added a 
penalty.

The cherry and whites pulled back seven points with Julian Osborne’s touchdown 
converted by Tiff Eden.

A wonder try by left wing Ellis Benham added to the Blues lead before Charlie 
Scott again gave the English side hope with a try Ellis converted.

However, although they threatened briefly Blues finished them off with Birch’s 
second and one from centre Gavin Smith, Sam Withers converting both.
Morgan Whitehead refereed assisted by Gareth John.

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Scarlets U 17's 19-8 Wales U 16's

Wales' Tyler Morgan can find no way through the resolute Scarelts defence

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The Wales Under 16’s met the Scarlets Under 17’s at Parc y Scarlets Wednesday night with selectors from both Welsh Schools and the Scarlets Academy in attendance. The players failed to disappoint, producing a hard running, hard tackling and entertaining game, with the Scarlets eventually triumphing 19-8.

From the outset, both sides showed their intent to play an expansive game, with the opening frenetic few minutes producing some strong runs with the ball being moved wide and fast, but both sides' defence stood resolute as the pace calmed.

Powerful Scarlets full-back Jamie Evans looked dangerous with the ball

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The Scarlets broke the deadlock after ten minutes with nice interplay in midfield leading to centre Craig Woodall crossing for a well worked try, Jack Maynard stroked home the extras. Moments later, however, the visitors hit back and after some good pressure inside their opponents' 22, they were rewarded with a penalty and Daniel Jones made no mistake with the boot.

Wales continued to press with Jones making great territory with a penalty kick to the corner, but the Welsh outfit failed to make the pressure pay off after becoming frustrated from a determined Scarlets defence that fended off wave after wave of assaults on their line, with the hosts eventually easing pressure when Wales infringed at a ruck.

Wales outside half Daniel Evans looks to move the ball wide.

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With the game finely balanced, Scarlets centre Woodall once again threatened in midfield but they were unable to extend their lead.

However, it was the Welsh side that would take a lead into the interval as a well-worked move saw full back Morgan Williams slice through the cover defence to touchdown and give his side an 8-7 advantage at the break.

Wales prop Dillon Lewis breaks through the Scarlets' defence

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Scarlets emerged galvanised from the interval and looked determined to regain the lead, subjecting the Welsh outfit to tremendous pressure which eventually buckled to leave centre Steff Evans free to cross out wide. Full back Jamie Evans added the extras with a well struck conversion.

Both teams threatened to add to their tallies but some great work in defence from both back rows were instrumental in preventing any further scores, with notable performances from Welsh flanker Tom Phillips and Scarlets' Torin Myhill.

The Scarlets defence holds firm under pressure

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As the clock ran down with defences on top, another score seemed unlikely but Scarlets wing Mathew Davies swooped on a dropped ball to race away for their third try of the night. Evans was unlucky not to add to his earlier conversion when his effort struck the upright.

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Captain fantastic Roach leads Blues to treble

Cardiff Blues Under-18s 15 Newport Gwent Dragons Under-18s 11

CAPTAIN Ben Roach crossed for the match-winning try to seal a third successive WRU Regional Championship for Cardiff Blues at St. Helen’s in Swansea.

They trailed when Dragons full-back Hallam Amos touched down in the first-half but a penalty try and No 8 Roach’s score ensured the cup went back to the Welsh capital yet again.

“I’m delighted by the result,” said Blues team manager Iestyn Williams. “The win is a fantastic reward for the players and the coaches.

“It’s a remarkable record as this is the third time in three years that the title has gone back to the Blues.”

The champions were made to fight all the way for the win and had to withstand a late surge by the Dragons who tried everything they could to deny the Blues a hat-trick of regional titles.

Blues outside-half Gareth Thompson traded penalties with opposite number Ethan Davies before the impressive Amos sped over from 40 metres to give the Dragons an 8-3 lead.

That lasted until just before the break when, after a sustained period of pressure, Joe Raikes kicked   deep into Dragons territory and referee Ben Whitehouse adjudged that Ollie Smyth had been tackled without the ball.

He awarded the Blues a penalty try, allowing Thompson the easiest of conversions from in front of the posts for a 10-8 lead at the interval.

The Dragons refused to lie down though and regained the initiative in the 55th minute thanks to a second Davies penalty before the powerful Blues pack proved their worth again.

And from a driving line-out, skipper Roach powered his way over the whitewash for a 15-11 advantage, Thompson missing the conversion. Soon after the fly-half had the chance to put the game beyond the Dragons but missed a routine penalty.

Just a try behind, the Dragons came back with gusto and had it not been for a stoic defensive effort from the Blues they could well have found a way through.

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Blues youngsters bid for cup hat-trick

CARDIFF Blues Under-18s bid to make it a hat-trick of WRU Regional Championship final victories tomorrow when they meet the Dragons at St. Helen’s in Swansea (7.30pm).

The team from the Welsh capital have beaten the Scarlets in the last two finals, however, the Dragons defeated the Blues 13-3 at Rodney Parade in the pool stage last November.

Blues coaches Dale McIntosh, Lee Jarvis and Greg Prosser will be telling their players to put that result behind them as they seek a prestigious treble.

“We will face a tough battle against a powerful Dragons side, but we are confident we can put in a good performance which will hopefully be enough to take the spoils,” said Blues team manager Iestyn Williams.

The Dragons finished top of the round robin table and beat the Scarlets 8-6 at home last Wednesday to book a place in the final.

“All the hard work and effort that the boys have put in this season has been rewarded by making it to the final,” said backs coach Jon Bryant.

“Regardless of the result it has been a hugely successful season for us, particularly highlighted by the number of players selected in the extended Wales U18 squad.”

Meanwhile, it’s an all-Blues semi-final at Under-16 level after Blues North secured two vital wins in four days to take fourth spot in the pool and, more importantly, the final place in the last four.

The North beat nearest rivals the Dragons 18-17 at Abercynon and then made the long trip to Colwyn Bay on Sunday, running out 43-12 winners.

Blues South play the Dragons at Pontypool tomorrow evening but have already finished top of the Under-16 pool. The South versus North semi is on January 25 at Cardiff International Sports Stadium (7.15pm).

Teams for Under-18 Regional Championship final;

Cardiff Blues

A Summerhill; O Smyth, L Chalke, G Smith, J Barratt; G Thompson, J Raikes; C Lewis, E Lewis, J Day, M Snook, L Connolly, J James, S Parker, B Roach (capt). Reps – M Perks, G Nash, M Davies, O Hitchings, S Pring, L O’Brien, L Montague, K Thomas

Newport Gwent Dragons

H Amos; A. Hewitt, J Dixon, D Franchi, L Hudd; E Davies, L Crane; J Johnstone, E Dee, A Jeffries, S Andrews, L  Randall, M Adams, S Matthews, J Benjamin (capt). Reps - D Goode, L Garrett, G Eldred, J Richards, D Jones, J Guy, N Martin, D Callaghan

By David Williams

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Scarlets end Blues' unbeaten record to move into semis

Centre Billy McBride's attack halted by Callum Sheedy
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Scarlets U16's ended their counterparts' Blues South unbeaten record in a tightly contested 16-12 triumph at Llangennech, securing a place in the WRU Championship semi-final, as they look to retain the Cup.

The next generation Scarlets went into the match high in confidence following some good performances in December which saw the West Walians securing victories over the Dragons and local rivals Ospreys.

However, it was Blues South that got off to the better start with outside half Callum Sheedy firing home an early penalty, but their lead was short lived as Daniel Jones replied in kind.

Outside half Daniel Jones kept the points ticking over for the Scarlets.

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In a match where both sides' defences were very much on top, it was the Blues that looked the more dangerous as full back James Whittingham cut the line, sidestepping his way past the first line of defence to chip ahead. And he looked to have weighted his kick perfectly, only to be just beaten by the dead ball line.

The boot once again prevailed as Sheedy and Jones traded penalties, but a flurry of penalties saw the hosts find touch five metres out and a driving line-out was held out by some strong Blues defence.

Just before the interval, Sheedy slotted his third penalty of the night to give his side a narrow 9-6 lead.

Within moments of the second half starting however, the South were reduced to 14 men for one too many repeated infringements, and the Scarlets clinically capitalised on the numerical advantage to score ten points during the sin binning.

Jones firstly slotted a penalty, before second row Ryan Morgan showed great strength to cross the whitewash, with Jones on hand to stroke home the extras and give his side a 16-9 advantage.

Cardiff scrum-half Rory Harries threatens the Scarlets defence.

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Back up to their full compliment, Sheedy closed the gap to four points with another well-taken penalty and could have brought the sides within a point, but saw his effort five minutes later drift wide.

With time running out, the Blues pressed hard but could find no way through a resilient Scarlets defence. There was to be one last scare for the hosts however, when Blues wing Ellis Wyn Benham looked clean through, only to be called back for an offside.

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Scarlets clinch semi-final spot

Scarlets on the offensive in their 23-19 victory

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Blues North U16 travelled to Parc y Scarlets on Wednesday evening to take on the Scarlets in what was a must-win game for the West Wales region, and the hosts didn’t disappoint, outscoring their rivals 23-19.

The Blues arrived in strong and confident mood, looking to gain revenge for the defeat they suffered earlier in the season at Abercynon.

The visitors started with real intent scoring two tries within the opening five minutes for winger Morgan Raison and fullback Josh Williams to take a 12-0 lead.

The Scarlets responded well and the evening’s third try came soon after, with the West Wales outfit getting on the scoreboard when winger Luke Morris raced in after the Blues were penalised at the scrum.

The hosts now looked a real danger in attack, especially with outside half Daniel Jones pulling the strings, keeping his side camped deep in to Blues territory.

It seemed as though a second try was imminent for the Scarlets and despite pushing strongly on the Blues’ try line, the ball was lost forward, but eventually got their reward on 28 minutes when speedster Morris bagged his second of the night

The Blues failed to lie down though and responded with a touchdown of their own to take a 10-19 advantage, but it was the hosts that would have the final say before the interval, with centre Matthew Pearce crossing the whitewash to reduce the visitors' lead to 19-15.

The second half saw the same intensity with both teams pushing hard to the try line but neither were able to capitalise.

However, it was the Scarlets that finally made the breakthrough first, firing home a penalty and then touching down for a well taken try to seal a 23-19 victory and secure their place in the semi-finals of the WRU Age Grade Championship.

Blues North outside half Jarrod Evans looks to release his back line

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