Young Bulls rampage into final after thrilling last-gasp win

The young Bulls booked their place in the Welsh Youth Cup final, set to take place at the 74,500-capacity Principality Stadium in Cardiff, in the most stunning and gut-churning fashion on Saturday. Alecs Williams plunged over the line past the 80-minute mark at Brecon’s Parc de Pugh to claim a famous 17-11 win over Penarth in a game that simply adds another chapter to an already enchanting story this season.

It is one that will go down in club history no matter the outcome of the final, which is set for Saturday, April 23. The capital clash will see the rampaging Bulls – unbeaten in 16 games in all competitions in 2021/22 – aim to bulldoze their way past one more opponent in Bridgend Athletic, who won their own tight semi-final, 26-19, over Carleon in Pentyrch.

Ahead for much of the game, a penalty against Builth with minutes remaining pushed Penarth 11-10 in front. All hope looked lost but, after Builth kicked off, they won possession back when Penarth infringed at the breakdown.

The clock ticked past 80 minutes but following several phases and a flurry of holes punched in the tiring Penarth defence, centre Williams burst through near the corner to win it – Rhys Davies’ conversion a simple formality, as their shellshocked opponents crumbled to the turf.

“I’d never seen anything like it when Al scored in the last minute. What a feeling, a day us boys will never forget,” said lock Tom Offa, who paid tribute to the legion of fans who packed into three buses to make the trip down to Brecon for the semi-final.

“We knew a lot of people from Builth would make the trip but I don’t think any of us expected that many.”

Still basking in the euphoria of such an epic victory, Offa was however quick to point out that there’s still much to play for.

“We can’t wait to play in the Millennium Stadium but we know that it means nothing if we come off second best on the day,” he added.

“The job’s only half done and we know Bridgend will be up for it. Hopefully, everyone from Builth will come to support us on the day and we can bring the cup back to Builth.”

Despite thinking they were seeing the dream of playing a final on the same hallowed Cardiff turf as they watch their heroes roam slip from their grasp in the dying embers of the match, captain Ryan Hughes insisted there was never any panic from his side.

The Builth squad along with their coaches Chris Offa, Shaun Hughes, Hughie Lloyd and team manager Lyndon Jones

“There’s so much spirit in the side. It was an incredible effort from the boys,” said Hughes.

“Everyone plays for each other and we never dropped our heads, even when they went ahead with 20 seconds left.

“We stayed cool and I think that’s down to the coaching and the spirit in the squad.”

That tight-knit environment has been a key ingredient to this side’s success; most of them have been together for more than a decade, since they first started playing for Builth at under-7 level.

Hughes paid tribute to team manager Lyndon Jones and coaches Hughie Lloyd, Chris Offa and Shaun Hughes.

The young Bulls had carved out a 10-8 second-half lead thanks to a try from winger Ciaran Price, which fly-half Davies had converted and added to with a penalty. But with time ticking down, a penalty was awarded to the Cardiff side, with the sticks brought 10 metres closer following Builth ill-discipline.

Evan Beach stroked over the kick and, at 11-10 down, that might have been it for most teams. But this season has already been so extraordinary for the young Bulls and they weren’t about to let their unblemished record go without a fight.

Now, to the capital, where the perfect storybook ending is waiting to be written.