Thanks to Chris and Kate Pronger for reporting and photographing at The Gnoll
Three teams successfully retained their Wales Rugby League Junior Grand Final titles as another memorable Finals Day took place at Neath on Saturday.
Swansea Rams Under 13s, South Wales Jets Under 14s and Torfaen Tigers Under 16s all lifted trophies again, having won the corresponding younger age-group titles 12 months earlier. The Under 13 and Under 14 finals were also repeat match-ups of last year’s Under 12 and Under 13 Grand Finals respectively.
Swansea Rams also celebrated success in the Under 12 competition to complete a double on the day. However, they were denied a clean sweep as Jets edged them in the Under 14 final before Swansea Valley Dragons claimed the first trophy in the club’s history by defeating the Rams in the Under 15 decider.
The day also marked a historic milestone for All Golds from Bristol. Although they finished runners-up to Torfaen Tigers in the Under 16 final, they became the first English club ever to compete in a Wales Rugby League Junior Grand Final, underlining the continued growth of the competition beyond Wales.
U12 Grand Final
Swansea Rams 28-12 Aberavon Fighting Irish
Swansea Rams claimed the opening title of the day after building an early lead before withstanding an Aberavon comeback. Theo Batchelor scored twice in the opening quarter, with Elliot Ford converting both to put the Rams firmly in control.
Aberavon hit back through Adam Miguel to cut the deficit, but Ollie Lewis crossed before the break to restore Swansea’s advantage. The Fighting Irish threatened another comeback in the second half when Ieuan Richards scored and converted his own try to reduce the gap to 16-12, but the Rams finished the stronger side. Lewis grabbed his second try before Joey-Jay Hopkins sealed the victory late on, with Ford adding two more goals.
Scorers
Swansea Rams: Tries – Theo Batchelor (2), Ollie Lewis (2), Joey-Jay Hopkins. Goals – Elliot Ford (4).
Aberavon Fighting Irish: Tries – Adam Miguel, Ieuan Richards. Goals – Ieuan Richards (2).
U13 Grand Final
Swansea Rams 22-14 South Wales Jets
The Rams players successfully defended their title after recovering from an early deficit against South Wales Jets in a repeat of last year’s U12 final.
Sam Hewes gave Swansea the perfect start, but the Jets responded superbly with unanswered tries from Sebastian James, George Ridgway and Daley Flower to establish a 14-4 advantage after Eben Jones converted Flower’s score.
The momentum swung after the break. Carter Jenkins sparked the Rams’ revival before Joey Cox converted, reducing the gap to four points. Jacob Lloyd-Williams then took centre stage with two second-half tries, both improved by Cox, as Swansea scored 18 unanswered points to retain their championship.
Scorers
South Wales Jets: Tries – Sebastian James, George Ridgway, Daley Flower. Goals – Eben Jones.
Swansea Rams: Tries – Sam Hewes, Carter Jenkins, Jacob Lloyd-Williams (2). Goals – Joey Cox (3).
U14 Grand Final
South Wales Jets 26-22 Swansea Rams
One of the games of the day saw the South Wales Jets players successfully defend their title after a contest that swung back and forth throughout.
Mason Jude Lloyd gave the Jets an early lead, but Swansea Rams replied with tries from Ethan King and Macauley Phillips to edge in front. Rhys Howard’s try nudged the Jets back ahead before Phillips crossed again to hand the Rams a narrow half-time advantage.
Parker Morris extended Swansea’s lead shortly after the restart, but the champions found another gear. Aston Patterson narrowed the deficit before Kalum Wingfield scored twice in the closing stages to complete the turnaround and retain the title. Cole Stevens finished with three conversions, while Alexander Davies kicked two for the Rams and Logan Caviel added another.
Scorers
South Wales Jets: Tries – Mason Jude Lloyd, Rhys Howard, Aston Patterson, Kalum Wingfield (2). Goals – Cole Stevens (3).
Swansea Rams: Tries – Ethan King, Macauley Phillips (2), Parker Morris. Goals – Alexander Davies (2), Logan Caviel.
U15 Grand Final
Swansea Valley Dragons 32-18 Swansea Rams
Swansea Valley Dragons claimed their first Wales Rugby League junior title with an impressive victory over Swansea Rams.
The Rams struck first through Mathew Wilds, but the Dragons responded in devastating fashion. Nico Miguel levelled the scores before an explosive spell saw Ifan Norris-Chesby, Danny Thomas, Oscar Davies and Frankie Richards all cross as the Dragons opened up a commanding lead.
Swansea attempted to mount a fightback after the break with a try from Kingsley Davies and two from Henri Rees, but the Dragons always looked in control. Thomas completed his double and Richards also grabbed a second try to ensure the historic title headed to Swansea Valley.
Scorers
Swansea Valley Dragons: Tries – Nico Miguel, Ifan Norris-Chesby, Danny Thomas (2), Oscar Davies, Frankie Richards (2). Goals – Oscar Davies, Cory Prothero.
Swansea Rams: Tries – Mathew Wilds, Kingsley Davies, Henri Rees (2). Goals – Henry Davies.
U16 Grand Final
Torfaen Tigers 36-10 All Golds
Torfaen Tigers, who won last year’s U15s title, secured a commanding victory over All Golds, who were making history as the first English club to contest a Welsh junior Grand Final.
Ashley Lloyd and Cameron George gave the Tigers an early cushion before William Hudson’s try gave All Golds hope. Luca Kilday restored Torfaen’s control, but Alfie Bryant crossed before half-time and converted his own try to keep the newcomers within touching distance.
However, the second half belonged to the holders. Rhys Anthony crossed either side of Cameron George’s second try before Frazer Redman completed the scoring. Kelyn Jude-Hobbs was faultless from the kicking tee in the second half, landing four conversions as Torfaen pulled away to retain their title in style.
Scorers
Torfaen Tigers: Tries – Ashley Lloyd, Cameron George (2), Luca Kilday, Rhys Anthony (2), Frazer Redman. Goals – Kelyn Jude-Hobbs (4).
All Golds: Tries – William Hudson, Alfie Bryant. Goals – Alfie Bryant.
