RGC 1404 Under 17 13 YORKSHIRE Under 17 7
RGC 1404 Under 17s got their year off to the best possible start as they edged their Yorkshire counterparts 13-7 in an enthralling contest that kept a large crowd at Bangor Rugby Club in suspense right up until the final whistle.
Although the young North Walians started off brightly, it was the heavier Yorkshire pack who soon began to take control and from a lineout close to the RGC line their scrum-half forced his way over to give the visitors a 5-0 lead. A lead that was almost immediately extended by another 2 points when their fly-half kicked the conversion from close to the touch-line. When a few minutes later the Yorkshiremen had another attacking lineout in a similar position it seemed almost certain that they would score again,however gallant defence from the home pack forced a turnover and both allowed the ball to be cleared and for the RGC Team to begin to gain some self-belief that they could compete.
As their confidence rose so they began to create chances for themselves and shortly befoe half-term Alex Schwarz knocked over a penalty to reduce the deficit to just 4 points. This deficit was overturned 5 minutes into the second-half when Jac Williams following up a kick he himself charged down was able to run in from 30 metres out. Again Schwarz showed great composure with the boot to add the extras, and when soon after he added another penalty the RGC lead was up to six.
This was the cue for Yorkshire to ring the changes and as the clock wound down so they began to throw the ball round more and more and the RGC defence became more and more desperate as they sought to hang on,but hang on they did and as the final whistle was blown one could almost hear the sense of relief from both players and spectators alike.
RGC 1404 Team:
Matt Davies-Shotton
Damien Goss- Flint
Ollie Hughes-Mold
Llew Williams- Caernarfon
Chris Holmes- Mold
Michael Downey- Caernarfon
Gareth Morgan- Ruthin
James Grundy- Mold
Alex Schwarz- Mold
Spencer Lumby- Colwyn Bay
Tom Jones- Rhyl
Jac Williams- Ruthin
Owain Aled- Bala
Gethin Lloyd- Denbigh
Andy Oakden- Exiles
John Evans- Exiles
Lewis Jenkins- Exiles
Josh Williams-Mold
Jamie Kelly-Llandudno
Lee Rusovic- Mold
Owen Quilter- Mold
Andre Channer-Hughes- Nant Conwy
