NEYLAND Youth earned victory over rivals Llangwm to secure the Griffiths Cup Plate on Good Friday (Apr 15).
A wet and warm morning greeted the teams but with the rain easing by the 1pm Kick off, it left perfect conditions for the game and Neyland eventually came out victorious 27-3 in a competitive battle between the old rivals.
Historically ties between these two sides have been nip and tuck affairs with 1 score between them so it was Neyland who would have been delighted with their start.
A cagey opening few minutes were suddenly changed when Outside Half Tyler Sutton intercepted a pass from near halfway and speed away to score in the top left hand corner. Fletcher Picton narrowly failing with a difficult touchline conversion.
Playing down the slope and with the breeze Llangwm tried to use kicks to put the All Black’s under pressure – Iwan Davies and Harry Makepeace regularly gaining territory with long raking kicks but the cover of the Neyland back 3 – Liam Rees, Lucas Jones and Fergus Reynolds – meant they couldn’t ever turn the territory into points.
The Llangwm pack, led by Arwyn O’Loughlin and Joe Phillips also tried to create opportunities but the defence around the fringes from Neyland was superb throughout – big hits coming in from Seb McIntosh, Jack Rogers and the always energetic Jasper Endean, returning from a recent shoulder injury.
Midway through the half, ill-discipline at the breakdown gave Llangwm Scrum Half Davies an opportunity to strike 3 points and he duly obliged.
Llangwm continued to keep the pressure on but again the Neyland defence stood firm. Callum O’Riordan, returning from a season long sabbatical, was outstanding in the centre, driving into tackles and continually knocking Llangwm players backwards and causing knock ons.
The Neyland pack, led by Skipper Asha Gledhill, slowly started to exert more and more pressure on their bigger pack opponents.
As the half came to a close, Llangwm had an opportunity to go in front at the break but a long range penalty fell just short Leading at the break and with the slope and slight breeze with them, this had to make Neyland slight favourites going into the second half.
As the game went on the front row of Harvey Myles, Asha Gledhill and replacement Lloyd Stephens started to gain the upper hand in the scrums which enabled scrum half Rhys Power to dictate play and territory.
Llangwm continued to try to attack using forwards Jake Thomas, Fflyn Tjonk and ex All Black Aled Rogers but big defence from counterparts Toby Rees, Jack Rogers, and Zac Stewart continued to keep them out A powerful scrum from Neyland resulted in their second try when Seb McIntosh, who had switched to No 8, picked up and drove over the line from 5 yards out, Picton duly notching the conversion to put Neyland in front.
Llangwm continued to battle but by now Neyland tails were up and they sensed there were more tries in it for them.
The third try arrived not long after when another powerful scrum allowed Power to feed Man of the Match Sutton who dummied his way past the defence to slide home for his second and Neylands third try, Picton again adding the extras.
As the game entered the final stages a charged down kick by Llangwm centre Dom Asson almost resulted in a breakaway try but O’Riordan was back in place to gather and clear the danger with a superb counter attack down the touchline.
A huge penalty from almost halfway from Centre Fletcher Picton could have been the highlight of his day but he saved that for the very last play when tapping a penalty on the far side of the field, he pushed off the tired Llangwm defenders and sped to the line in the opposite corner.
Replacement kicker Liam Rees striking the post with the final kick of the match A deserved victory for Neyland in an entertaining match in front of the highest crowd for a game in Neyland for many a year.
Neyland: Liam Rees: Fergus Reynolds; Callum O’Riordan; Fletcher Picton; Lucas Jones: Tyler Sutton; Rhys Power: Harvey Myles; Sebastien McIntosh; Asha Gledhall: Lewis Scourfield; Toby Rees: Jack Rogers; Jasper Endean; Zac Stewart. Replacements: Lloyd Stephens; Owain Turner; Zac Evans; Dylan Evans; Bobby Jones; Finlay Picton; Coaches: Colin Picton; Ollie Rothero. Team Manager: Charlie Watts.
Llangwm: Harry Makepeace: Lucas Chamberlain; Ieuan Grey; Dom Asson; Oliver Kersey: Owen Phelps; Iwan Davies: Aled Rogers; Soloman Oxenham; Charlie Wilson: Jake Thomas; Flynn Tjonk: Evan Thomas; Arwyn O’Loughlin (Capt); Joe Phillips (VC). Replacements: Matthew Cole; Ioan Jarman; Ben Hawkins; Owen Evans; Leon Hood. Coaches: Dafydd Bowen; Jonathan Whitticombe; Jeff Asson. Team Manager: Jonathan Willington.
