The RAF took the first ever Simon Weston Challenge Cup after beating Wales Students 28-16 at Tata Steel RUFC on Wednesday evening,
It was a tough competitive encounter, with Wales Students battling all the way, but the more experienced RAF side just about had the edge through the game and were deserved winners.
The first opportunity came for the RAF, but good defensive pressure from the Welsh forced TJ Richardson to drop as he was diving for the line.
Lewis Howells was yellow carded for a high tackle on Finn O’Brien and from the resulting set, Ollie Park scored in the corner and Joshua Caldwell converted.
Wales were soon level. While still down to 12, Llewellyn Hawkes did well to force his way through all roll over the line. He converted his own try.
Despite a lot of pressure from Wales, it was RAF went back into the lead just after the half hour mark through a Keiron Prescott try with Caldwell slicing the kick wide, meaning they went in to the break with a 10-6 advantage
RAF extended their lead in the second half when James Crabb dived over from close range and Caldwell converted. Nick Slaney soon followed him over, with Caldwell’s goal attempt hitting the post.
Wales struck back on 57 minutes as an excellent move culminated in Lewis Howells diving over in the corner but two tries from TJ Richardson tries cemented victory.
However the last word went to Howells who dodged past everyone to score the try of the match. Skipper Jason Purcell converted as the final whistle blew.
WALES STUDENTS
1 Lewis Ingram (Swansea University)
2 Lewis Howells (University of Nottingham)
3 Eli Weekes (Swansea University)
4 Leo Jones (University of Exeter)
5 Dylan Morgan (Cardiff & Vale College)
6 Alex Naylor (Cardiff University)
7 Llewellyn Hawkes (Cardiff University)
8 Archie Willock (Swansea University)
9 George Groves (Coleg y Cymoedd)
10 Alex Green (Coleg y Cymoedd)
11 Finlay Northrop (Cardiff University)
12 Jacob Purcell (c) (Cardiff Metropolitan University)
13 Mason Phillips (University of Lancashire)
Subs:
14 Evan Moore (Swansea University)
15 Kit Heales (Swansea University)
16 Greg Cook (Cardiff University)
17 Connor Madden (Swansea University)
18 Nat Cotton (Swansea University)
19 Charlie Penton (Swansea University)
20 Tristan Walters (Swansea University)
21 Mason Apsee (Coleg y Cymoedd)
RAF
25. Finn O’Brien
2. Tomasi Rasoki
3. Ollie Park
4. James Crabb
5. Karl Cassar
6. Keiron Prescott
7. Joshua Caldwell
8. Connor Morris
9. Ewan Makinson
10. George Mosey
11. TJ Richardson
12. Nathan Key
13. Sam Roberts
Subs:
14. Josh Davies
15. Josh Palombella
16. Jordan Robbins
17. Liam Bradley
18. Nick Slaney
Referee: James Jones
