SCARLETS UNDER 18 22 RGC 1404 UNDER 18 23
RGC 1404 Under 18s produced the biggest shock of this years regional age-grade competition as they gained their first win of this season's campaign against the previously unbeaten Scarlets Under 18s at Bynia RFC.
When Scarlets stand-off Nick Setaro crossed after only 5 minutes the large contingent of North Wales supporters who had made the journey to South-West Wales must have feared the worst. However building upon the much improved performance in their previous game against the Dragons 2 weeks ago, the RGC team instead started taking the game to the home side and a combination of a well organised defence in which Meilir Parry and James Grundy were outstanding and a greater incisiveness in attack led to 2 tries for them. The first scored by Mike Jones came following a bullocking run from second-row Llew Williams, the second after quick-thinking from right-wing Jason Blackmore, who having made an interception and realising he did not have the pace to go half the length of the field instead kicked the ball down field and the race to the line was won by stand-off Lewis Barker. Both tries being converted by Dion Jones.Although Scarlets hooker Simon O'Leary pulled a try back just before half-time , it was the RGC side who led at the interval by 2 points.
As expected the second-half saw the Scarlets come with all guns blazing and they were soon rewarded with second row Curtis Morris crossing the whitewash, Setaro adding the extras to give them a 5 point lead. Again however if anyone thought this would lead to a collapse from the young North Walians, they were to be mistaken as the same combination of aggressive and organised defence and structured and controlled attack that had been so evident in the first-half was maintained,and they were rewarded for their patience with 2 succesful penalties from the boot of Jones to reclaim the lead. It was a lead that was to last until less than 2 minutes from the end when the Scarlets following a period of sustained pressure close to the RGC line were awarded a penalty which was converted by theleading points scorer in this years competition, Jordan Williams who had come on to replace Setaro. However the drama was not over yet as from the re-start the Scarlets were penalised at the breakdown and showing nerves of steel full-back Jones calmly slotted over the penalty from close to the touchline with the final act of the game to give the RGC side a famous victory. Not only was it their first win in this years competition but it was the first victory that an RGC 1404 Under 18 side had achieved since entering the competition back in 2008.
For a side that lost its first 2 games this year by a collective margin of over 120 points this was a tremendous turnaround and all credit must go both to the players and coaches. THE RGC 1404 side now have a 6 week break until their next match in the competition when they will face the Blues at Eirias Parc on October 24th.'
Will
