Coleg Sir Gâr retained the Gullivers Welsh Schools U18 Cup when they outscored old rivals Neath Port Talbot College 44-12 in a free-flowing final at St Helen’s Swansea.
The score was a near carbon copy of last year’s 44-13 CSG win and once again the Llanelli-based college had all the aces both behind the scrum and up front.
CSG fielded five of the Wales squad that had performed so well at the Five Nations Festival in Llandovery at the beginning of the month and their class shone through clearly.
Centre Luke Williams, scrum-half Aled Davies, lock Luke Hamilton and flanker Kirby Myhill all looked players of quality as did replacement prop Samson Lee.
Neath No 8 Dan Baker was his side’s one international and he, flanker Ollie Pardoe, and skipper Luke Joseph at lock battled hard against superior forces.
That CSG were only 10-7 up at the break was down to some desperate Neath defending and poor finishing by CSG when in some prime scoring positions
Hamilton and wing Iolo Evans crossed before wing Nathan Brooks side-stepped through for a great solo try for NPTC, converted by fly-half Cameron Clement, but it was one way traffic after the break.
With skipper and lock Lawrence Reynolds leading by fine example in the loose, the CSG pack dominated in all areas and gave the backs the time and space to create plenty of openings – there were six more tries.
Scrum-half Aled Davies was at the heart of everything and tries from centre Williams, flanker Myhill (two), Evans, Hamilton and fly-half Nico Setaro were just reward for some well-supported running and dextrous handling.
After both sides had thrown on a raft of replacements the outstanding Pardoe got his deserts for a non-stop performance when he charged through at the death for a consolation try.
Scorers: CSG Tries: I Evans (2), L Hamilton (2), K Myhill (2), L Williams, N Setaro; Cons: N Setaro (2)
NPTC Tries: N Brooks, O Pardoe Con: C Clement
Earlier in the day Lewis Boys Pengam beat Ysgol Dyffryn Teifi from Llandyssul 24-21 to win the Welsh Schools Bowl.
