Llandovery proved to be the perfect venue for the National Tag Tournament with 17 Under 14s and 15 Under 18s teams attending from across Wales.
Assisted by development officers, community coaches and referees, the day was a huge success.
In the U14s, the semi finals were between pool winners Cardiff (Plasmawr) and Carmarthenshire East (Tregib) while RCT (Bryncelynnog) played the best pool runner up, Carmarthenshire West (Caedcae) with Carmarthenshire East and RCT the eventual finalists.
The final itself was a close call. Both teams displayed exceptional ball handling and evasion skills with tries being scored at both ends but Carmarthenshire East got the upper hand and defeated RCT 4 tries to 2.
In the U18s, the semi finals were between Neath Port Talbot (Neath Port Talbot College) and Pembrokeshire (Ysgol Dewi Sant) while Cardiff (Plasmawr) tackled RCT (Treorchy).
Pembrokeshire put up a great fight against a strong Neath Port Talbot team which included Welsh under 20s players Jess Smith and Rosie Fletcher, but were pipped at the post 4 tries to 3.
Cardiff, coached by Welsh International Catrin Edwards, proved too strong for RCT and won decisively six tries to two. The final was a fast and physical encounter. Both teams showed fantastic athletic ability and exception rugby skills but at the final whistle Cardiff took the title six tries to four.
Jason Lewis, Welsh Women’s Head Coach, spent the day at Llandovery and expressed his excitement about the standard of players coming through the Schools Tag Programme.
“The tag event at Llandovery was a great success. It was good to see so many girls playing rugby. What was apparent was the real natural ability many of the girls possess,” he said.
“The final of the U18’s competition was a fantastic game with end to end attacking play. The handling and support play was sublime at times. We need to capture this talent by providing greater playing opportunities. I’m sure all teachers present will have seen what a great game rugby is for girls. Between us I’m sure we can continue to grow girls’ participation.”
Throughout the pool stages the referees nominated “Players of the Game”. At U14s the award was shared between Fern Davies from Argoed, Flintshire, Kayleigh Salmon from Ysgol Dewi Sant, Pembrokeshire, Leah Williams from Afon Taff, Merthyr and Jenna Claridge from Bryncelynnog, RCT.
The U18s Player of the Tournament was Jessica Smith from Neath Port Talbot College. Players received Under Armour shorts and a Webb Ellis rugby ball.
The next schools event will be the National 10s tournament in the New Year. Schools may register their interest by emailing [email protected]
The tournament is 10-a-side modified contact rugby (uncontested scrums and no lifting in the lineout). Competitions will run at U14s (years 7-9), U16s (years 10-11) and U18s (6th forms and FE colleges). Schools will receive coaching sessions prior to a local event to qualify for the finals in April.
The exact format is dependent on numbers of schools entering.
