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Pembrokeshire Herald
2 days ago
- Sport
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Ammanford crowned Scarlets Cup champions after dominant final performance
U12s seal 22-0 win over Haverfordwest to complete double-winning season AMMANFORD RFC's under-12s were crowned Scarlets Cup champions on Sunday (May 18) after a commanding 22-0 win over Haverfordwest at Parc y Scarlets. The young Carmarthenshire side, who already held their county title, produced a clinical display in the final to secure a second major trophy and cap off an impressive season. Facing the Pembrokeshire/Ceredigion champions in front of a large crowd, Ammanford laid down an early marker with a resolute defensive effort. Strong tackles from Bryn Humphreys, Jayden Ratcliffe, Arjun Dale and Seb Armstrong kept Haverfordwest at bay, and their pressure soon earned a penalty. Tomi Maloney stepped up to slot it between the posts for the opening points. Ammanford extended their lead with a 75-metre break from Maloney following a turnover. From the resulting lineout, a well-rehearsed move saw Leo Danter cross the whitewash for the game's first try, set up by a pinpoint kick into the 22 from centre Finn Chapman-Knight. The first half ended 8-0 in Ammanford's favour. The second half saw no let-up in intensity. Ratcliffe, captain Joey Shreeve and Danter led a series of key turnovers, with Chapman-Knight continuing to apply pressure through tactical left-footed kicking. Ammanford's second try came from a scrum inside the Haverfordwest 22, with Danter picking up from the base to power over. Maloney added the extras to stretch the lead to 15-0. Cai Canton's powerful carrying forced another attacking scrum, and replacements Oscar Jones, Evan Lewis, Aaron Morgan and Scott Edwards made a big impact, winning a scrum against the head. Maloney spotted a gap, chipped over the defence, and collected to score a fine solo try. He converted his own effort to make it 22-0. Despite spirited efforts from Haverfordwest, the final whistle confirmed a deserved win for Ammanford, who lifted the Scarlets Cup to complete a memorable season. Head coach Rob Knight praised the commitment and performance of the squad, and extended thanks to the coaching team, parents, and supporters. He also thanked the wider rugby community for their messages of support ahead of the final. Pictured above: Winners: Ammanford RFC U12s celebrate their Scarlets Cup victory after a 22-0 win over Haverfordwest
South Wales Guardian
3 days ago
- Sport
- South Wales Guardian
Ammanford under-12s named Scarlets Cup final winners
The team clinched a 22-0 victory for the Carmarthenshire Champions in the Scarlets Cup final at Parc y Scarlets, ending their season as double winners. The match saw the young squad face Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire/Ceredigion Cup winners, on Sunday, May 18. The game, marked by its intensity and physicality, saw Ammanford's defence shine, particularly in the first quarter, with strong tackles from Bryn Humphreys, Jayden Ratcliffe, Arjun Dale, and Seb Armstrong. This defensive pressure earned the team a penalty, converted by Tomi Maloney, putting the first points on the board. Ammanford's momentum built after a 75-meter break by Maloney following a turnover, and it was a well-executed training move off the lineout that led to their first try by Leo Danter. Centre Finn Chapman-Knight's strategic kick deep into Haverfordwest's 22 metres set up the move. The half ended with Ammanford leading 8-0. The second half saw Ammanford continue their strong form, with turnovers by Jayden Ratcliffe, captain Joey Shreeve, and Danter. Chapman-Knight maintained territorial pressure with his left-footed kicking. A scrum deep in the Haverfordwest 22 metres saw Danter pick up and score his second try of the match, with the extras added by Maloney to take the score to 15-0. Centre Cai Canton, demonstrating physical strength, forced another scrum deep into the Haverfordwest 22 metres. Impact players Oscar Jones, Evan Lewis, Aaron Morgan, and Scott Edwards forced a scrum against the head, with Maloney spotting a gap and chipping over the defence to score Ammanford's third try. With the extras added by Maloney, the score moved to 22-0. Despite Haverfordwest's continued efforts, the final whistle marked a victory for the Ammanford team, crowning them Scarlets Cup winners. A special note of thanks was given by head coach Rob Knight to the players, coaching team, and parents. He also extended his appreciation to the rugby community for their good luck messages, and to all the supporters who travelled to Parc y Scarlets to cheer the team on.
Wales Online
5 days ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
The best youth rugby team in Wales have won seven trophies in two years and only lost one match
The best youth rugby team in Wales have won seven trophies in two years and only lost one match They are undoubtedly the best youth team in Wales Llandeilo RFC youth lift the WRU National Cup The future of rugby in the Towy Valley looks bright after Llandeilo RFC lifted four trophies in a single season to become the best youth side in Welsh rugby - perhaps ever. Over the past two seasons Llandeilo RFC youth have entered seven competitions and won all seven. Last season they went through the entire season unbeaten before backing it up this time around by winning the Carmarthenshire League, Carmarthenshire Cup, Scarlets Cup and the Welsh Rugby Union National Cup. The statistics tell its own story with 18 wins from 20 matches while they have been held to a draw once and lost one time. They have scored 551 points and scored 77 tries on their way to the quadruple. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. Undoubtedly the best moment of the season came in the WRU National Cup final when they were trailing Pontypool by two points, but up stepped 18-year-old Ioan Thomas to smash over a long-range penalty reminiscent of Gavin Henson against England in 2005 to seal a famous victory for Llandeilo. "It was really tough to back up last season where we went undefeated and there was a definite level of expectation on us this time around," said head coach Chris Rooke, who also coaches Ysgol Dyffryn Aman and has a role with the Scarlets academy. "We consider ourselves the top youth team in Wales. "This second year group must go down as arguably the best Welsh youth team ever. "They've entered seven tournaments over the last two years and won seven trophies. "Our whole ethos is to improve players and get them better. "At the end of their time with Llandeilo Youth we want them to be a better player and a better person than they were when they started. "We concentrate on the boys having fun and the winning takes care of itself in the end. "This group of boys the resilience that they've shown all year has been outstanding. "They fought hard in some tough games and found ways to win." Llandeilo youth have developed a rich conveyor belt of talent with a number of players representing the Scarlets age grade side while tighthead prop Jac Pritchard has played for Wales U20s, and full-back Sion Jones for Wales U18s. Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free "Our outstanding player is Sion Jones," Rooke told WalesOnline. Content cannot be displayed without consent "He signed a senior academy contract with the Scarlets right at the start of the season. "He played one pre-season game for us before signing his Scarlets contract, so he hasn't been able to play much for us "He's played two of our national cup games and he was man of the match in both of them. "Sion couldn't play in the National Cup final because he was in a Wales U19s training camp but when training in the evening got called off he rang me straight away asking if he could be a water boy. "So, he ran across Cardiff to support the boys by taking the water onto the field and advising them. "He's an outstanding full-back who has also played 10 for us. He played for Wales U19s at the end of the season and he was also called up to the Wales U20s training squad but he injured his ankle so had to pull out. "There's no doubt that guy is going to be a pro. He's just an outstanding rugby player. "We've had a good production line of players who have gone on to play for our senior side and many have been picked up by the Scarlets. "We are surrounded by top schools and a lot of boys go to Llandovery College and Coleg Sir Gar. "There's also Ioan Thomas who has played two games for Brecon in the Welsh Premiership on permit this season." Llandeilo RFC are a prime example of how the talent which resides within the community game in Wales and how it can support the professional game. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here. "The rugby club is the centre of the community in Llandeilo with the first team, youth team and we've got juniors all the way down to minis," said Rooke "Everybody in the town has got some sort of connection to the town and if it's not themselves it's through a brother, sister or child. Article continues below "We are surrounded by top schools and a lot of boys go to Llandovery College and Coleg Sir Gar. "Over in Ammanford Ysgol Dyffryn Aman have started up an academy there as well where I also work. It's a real strong area for rugby. "We have a lot of talented players with aspirations of going far in the game whether that is semi-pro level, the professional game or even further."
