YSGOL Calon Cymru will play at the home of Welsh rugby next week as they look to crown a momentous rugby season by lifting the Welsh Schools Rugby Union Vase.
The Calon Cymru team, a combination of Builth Wells and Llandrindod Wells pupils, defeated Ysgol Garth Olwg, from Church Village, Pontypridd, 19-12 last week.
Now, James Reynolds and Wayne Morris’ boys head to the Principality Stadium for the final, to be played on Thursday, December 8. Win and not only will they lift silverware, but also complete an unbeaten season.
The semi-final, played in Llandrindod, ebbed and flowed throughout and both teams performed admirably, especially as the heavens opened and the game was lit up by thunder and lightening. Ysgol Calon Cymru, captained by Louis Davies, took the early initiative with a try for Iwan Holder, which went unconverted.
Garth Olwg fought back with a try of their own, again going unconverted, to leave the game poised at 5-5.
Both teams enjoyed periods of pressure and possession, but it was Calon Cymru who took the initiative with a further try for centre Holder, this time Ciaran Price slotted the conversion to send the boys in red into half-time 12-5 ahead.
As conditions deteriorated in the second half, control of the ball became important. Calon Cymru were very good in this regard, but errors at crucial times prevented them from extending their lead.
Pressure eventually paid with some driving play between forwards and backs and, following a yellow card and penalty given for a tip tackle from one of the Garth Olwg players, winger Deri Mason eventually profited, touching down between the posts, with Price’s conversion making it 19-5.
The hosts had to battle late on to hold onto their lead as they were reduced to 13 players, with players sent to the sin bin for a late tackle and then a high tackle.
They showed heart and courage to defend their line manfully, with even a late Garth Olwg consolation try not enough to dampen the spirits of the Calon Cymru boys, who held on for a momentous victory.
Geraint Pritchard, head of PE at Calon Cymru, said: “This year is the first time that Ysgol Calon Cymru has entered the WSRU league system at U18 level.
“The team has performed to a high standard all season, remaining unbeaten to date.
“The team, the school and the community look forward to the final at the Principality Stadium in two weeks' time.”
The WSRU competitions, also including the cup, plate and bowl, and entitled the Road to the Principality as the final of each competition is being held at the famous Cardiff stadium, saw Calon Cymru defeat Powys rivals Crickhowell 43-5 in the opening knockout round, before a 55-26 quarter-final triumph over Caerphilly’s St Cenydd.
Their impressive cup run has followed on from an unbeaten East Wales North League campaign, where the school beat Ysgol Bryncelynnog 19-0, Crickhowell 43-12, Rhydywaun 12-5 and Garth Olwg 22-5 to finish with a 100 per cent record and a 43-point advantage.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here