YEAR 9 CHAMPION SCHOOLS FINAL
YSGOL GYFUN GYMAREG GLANTAF 28 MIRFIELD FREE GRAMMAR SCHOOL 0
By Ian Golden at Richmond Athletic Association
Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf shrugged off last year’s Final disappointment to produce a perfect performance in every way as they beat Mirfield Free Grammar School 28-0 in the Year 9 Champion Schools Final in Richmond on Friday afternoon.
The Welsh speaking school side from Cardiff won at Wembley in 2015 when in Year 7 but lost last year’s final 16-14. That remains their only defeat in three years and have still never been outscored on tries in a rugby league match.
Some slick handling resulted in Glantaf’s opening try on 10 minutes, man of the match Harri Griffiths slipping through the backline to score and Jac Lloyd converting.
A dropped ball gave Mirfield the opportunity to level but the opportunity was wasted and they even conceded a penalty whilst attacking, a rarity in rugby league.
Another wellworked try from Glantaf doubled their lead. Iwan Jones caused some trouble which took some Mirfield players out of position, ending in Rhodri Thomas weaving through and Lloyd converting.
From kick-off, Glantaf further increased their lead when Josh Atkinson sprinted down the wing to score. The kick was missed but the Cardiff school were 16-0 up at the break.
Mirfield had an early second half try disallowed for a forward pass and their luck didn’t get any better after they mishandled in their own half. That almost led to a try, some good defence stopped that opportunity, but from the next Glantaf attack, Atkinson strolled over for his second with Lloyd converting.
The game, played in 25 minute halves, was competitive throughout and credit must be given to Glantaf’s defence as well as their attack, keeping a very good Mirfield team scoreless for the entire encounter.
Minutes before the end, Jonah Parsons nearly got a try back for the Yorkshire school but was forced into touch by a group of Glantaf players.
And it was left to Iwan Johnes to complete proceedings weaving though the tiring Mirfield back-line. Lloyd converted.
YSGOL GYFUN GYMAREG GLANTAF 28 MIRFIELD FREE GRAMMAR SCHOOL 0
Gan Sian Golden
Daeth yr adeg o’r flwyddyn lle’r aeth bechgyn Ysgol Gymraeg Glantaf unwaith eto i gystadlu ar gyfer Cwpan Prydeinig Pencampwyr Ysgolion, y tro yma ym mlwyddyn 9 ar gaeau rygbi Clwb London Scottish, yn Richmond.
Unwaith yn unig y mae’r bechgyn wedi colli gem rygbi xiii yn eu hanes yn ystod y gystadleuaeth hon, wedi buddugoliaeth hanesyddol yn Stadiwm Wembley ddwy flynedd yn ol pan oeddent ym mlwyddyn 7.
Glantaf a ddechreuodd orau wrth i waith da gan Harri Griffiths wrth iddo lanio’r bel wrth fynd trwy’r linell cefn. Troswyd gan Jac Lloyd.
Daeth dwy gais haeddiannol yn glos at ei gilydd, yn gyntaf drwy Rhodri Thomas ar ol i Iwan Jones achosi trafferth i amddiffynwyr Mirfield ynghanol y cae gan eu rhoi allan o le. Trosiad gan Lloyd eto.
Sgoriwyd yr ail yn fuan ar ol ailddechrau wrth i Lantaf gynyddu eu mantais pan rhedodd Josh Atkinson i lawr yr ochr i sgorio’r cais. 16-0 i fyny ar yr hanner.
Daeth Mirfield yn agos at sgorio yn gynnar yn yr ail hanner ond pasiwyd y bel ymlaen felly nid oedd gwobr am eu hymdrechion.
Aeth Glantaf yn bellach ar y blaen ar ol ymdrechion Atkinson wrth iddo sgorio ei ail gais yn hamddenol dros y linell. Troswyd eto gan Lloyd.
Iwan Jones wnaeth orffen llwyddiant Glantaf wrth iddo fynd i fewn ac allan amddiffynwyr blinedig Mirfield ac roedd esgid Lloyd yn lwyddiannus unwaith eto.
Rhaid rhoi pob clod i dim o fechgyn blwyddyn 9 a oedd yn dangos gallu amddiffynnol yn ogystal a sgiliau ymosod da yn erbyn tim da iawn o Swydd Efrog; hyn mewn gornest a oedd yn 25 munud o hyd bob ffordd.
Glantaf: Rhodri Thomas, Iwan Jones, Josh Atkinson, Iwan Johnes, Louie Rochfort Shugar, Gwylim Evans, Jac Lloyd, Harri Griffiths, Iwan McDougall, Tirion Bowen, Finn Lovett, Morgan Baos, Cai-Marcus Jemmett. Subs: Cai Killen, Osian Evans, Oli Meek, Gruff Lloyd.
Tries / Ceisiau: Griffiths (10), Thomas (23), Atkinson (25, 40), Johnes (47)
Goals / Golau: Lloyd 4/5
Mirfield: Jacob Beety, Will Meehan, Helen Haldenby, Charlie Smith, Matthew Balderson, Kieran Rush (capt), Jonah Parsons, Ethan Hogg, Mason Brame, Eddie Flexney, Max Rhodes, James Nichols, Jermaine Rose-Auty. Subs: Kieran Auty, Jackson Wood, Tom Riley, Will Clarkson.
Half-time / Hanner Amser: 16-0