Haverfordwest returned from the Athletic Ground in Neyland on Saturday (Jan 17) with a 19-8 victory in their youth rugby encounter writes Jonathan Twigg, the derby game sponsored by a name synonymous with sport in the Brunel Town, Colin Picton and his wife Natalie.
The young Blues deserved the spoils in a game which had everything to keep a large crowd enthralled, the handling of all players exemplary alongside hard hitting tackles and as one would expect friendships cemented in school challenged with at times over zealous moments, Pembroke Dock referee Gareth Scourfield issuing three yellow cards when the simmering pot over boiled.
Neyland began the game positively, scrum half Dylan Lewis the puppet master as he received good quality ball in which to release his outside backs, wingers Cai Griffiths and Jamie Sitoe quick with ball in hand, centre Sammy Montgomery and captain Josh James skilfully gaining meterage which was well supported by front row colleagues Declan Walters, fellow prop Finley Phillips and hooker Gethin Frayling, who had an excellent game in the set piece, his throws accurate at the line out for jumpers Sammy Wilson and Alfie Thomas whilst holding his composure to ensure his side won scrum ball despite giving territory to the more dominant visiting pack.
Blues captain Harri Evans had an equally measurable performance opposite Frayling at the coal face, his throws snaffled by his charges in the boiler house, Ewan Griffiths and Ollie Warlow and his front row colleagues of Josh Slater and Finn Bruins the cornerstone for the scrum dynamism alongside their trailblazer. Evans also had responsibility to control his colleagues in moments of exuberance, keeping a clear head to make key calls for his side when penalties were received, alongside being an active offensive outlet for scrum half Alfie Thomas and a solid first line of defence as the ‘All Blacks’ pressed forward.
Both back row units linked well, the home trio of Marli Swift, Seth Walker and number 8, Corey Riley powerful in the open phases of play to take their side over the gain line whilst also showing highly with their tackle count, centre James opening the scoring on 8 minutes with a 35m penalty which was due to the lunges forward from his back row unit. The Blues also worked hard in the key battle ground to take parity with the home trio, Number 8 Cruz Findlay showing highly as he interchanged with replacement Harvey Thomas, flankers Tyler John and Caio Jones appearing in support of their back division as they built phase upon phase as they took control of the game after the opening twenty minute period.
The first of Haverfordwest three tries came from a flowing move, outside half Connor Wesley confidently stepping into the mix before have a slight of hand tom release man of the match Isaac Mills, the centre timing his pass, something he did all game, to draw the defender and put Liam Hughes clear, second row Griffiths accredited with the touchdown for the games opening try, full back Hughes converting from in front of the posts for a 7-3 lead. Haverfordwest themselves enjoyed a period where they dictated play, Wesley and astute and accurate kicker from hand and Mills colleague at inside centre, Manny Davies mellifluous with his running, Mills on his shoulder to release wingmen Logan Symmonds and Ollie Thompson who both enjoyed the space they were given to run, both sides however falling foul of referee Scourfield who was consistent in his referring of the ruck phases and the offside line, which stifled the attacks and resulted then in comments, which saw them concede ground.
The key passage of play came 5 minutes before the half time whistle, the home side running the ball wide and full back Henry Mayhew was on hand to touch down for an unconverted try and 8-7 lead, Riley and Walker also involved alongside prop Walters whose driving runs were a feature of the Neyland performance.
Before the applause had quietened from the home supporters, Evans and his pack secured the ball from the restart and set a platform with runs from Thomas, Slater, John and Jones before the ball was spun wide and Mills equanimity controlled the attack and his well timed pass put replacement speedster Wil Harries into open pasture and the winger scooted round under the posts for Hughes to add the extras and a half time lead of 14-8.
The second half belonged to Haverfordwest who added another five unanswered points, a reflection for Neyland co captains of James and Riley would be to maybe have taken the 3 points on offer instead of chasing the glory a try would have brought; game maturity being something that comes with experience, a lesson for the future which will be instilled quickly. Frustrations bubbled over at times, with Scourfield on hand to defuse with a calm persona, having no choice but to ask two players to sit out for a period when both teams were embroiled in an affray, Haverfordwest receiving a second yellow card in the last 15 minutes for a deliberate knock on, which on another day could also have resulted in a penalty try being awarded, which may have an influence in the final declaration.
It was however fitting that the Haverfordwest held the ball for the final throes of the game, to epitomise their team mantra, even with 14 men; Evans was a leader, verbally but most importantly in the action areas, a quality which is rare in a player so young. It also showed how well Mills played as man of the match, the centre not missing a tackle all game which were made with tenacity whilst never overstepping the mark, to dovetail alongside his attacking supremacy.
As with everything in the sport, the tribulations on the field of play remained there as both teams roundly applauded their opponents from the field, that applause echoed by the supporters who had witnessed the strength and undoubted passion, which is a threshold for Pembrokeshire rugby.
The final word went to an exhausted Blues skipper Harri Evans who spoke on conclusion of the game with a smile which told its own story. “That was tough; from the first minute to the final whistle we have had to work hard for the victory and I applaud Neyland for their own efforts in the game. Full credit to our squad for believing in the game plan; we settled after they held the upper hand for the open quarter, battling hard in defence and then using the pace we had outside to stretch the game. We scored some great tries which showed our game at its best, the crucial score coming just two minutes after they had taken the lead before half time, Will Harries touching down and it set the bar for our second half performance.”
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