Murch march on (From Penarth Times)

Murch march on

AFTER sweeping all the local teams before them, including a select side, "The North Cardiff Barbarians", made up of the best players from seven different schools, the Murch Junior School from Dinas Powys won their way through to the National 10-a-side festival at Dunvant RFC on April 24.

Geraint Cooper and John Dunleavy, Chairman and coaching co-ordinator of Dinas Powys Mini Rugby Club respectively, took care of the team on the day.

Miss Cox, a teacher, represented the school and acted as liaison officer.

The team were drawn in Pool A and their first opponents were Gwrossydd Juniors, the local side and the Dinas lads won impressively 28-7, with Kieran Driscoll running in a hat-trick from the wing, and Josh Dunleavy powering over after a strong forward drive.

Gavin Cooper showed that practice makes perfect by converting each try.

The next match was against Abertillery, and the boys kept up their good work to win 14-0, with Kieran and Josh scoring the tries again, and Gavin supplying the successful kicks.

The final group game against Llanfaes saw the boys move up a gear, and some thrilling running rugby with all the backs and forwards handling brilliantly saw tries for Tom Davies, Lewis Dunleavy, Mike Smith, Kyle Foat and a 60 metre solo effort from Rhys Evans, Gavin duly slotted over each conversion for a resounding 35-0 victory.

That was the good news, but the bad news was in injury to top scorer Kieran and another to Alex Davies. Although the squad consisted of 15 players, the rules said that only 12 could take part.

This was a great pity indeed, and it meant that Kyle Williams, James Wiltshire and Rhys Owen were cruelly denied their chances despite having played important roles in all the previous games.

St Peter's emerged as Dinas's opponents in the semi-final.

Kyle Foat picked up a ball and stormed over from 20 metres, Gavin converted. St Peters pulled back a try before half-time, but missed the conversion.

The delays had allowed Kieran time to recover from his injury, and he and Rhys put in some great tackles to keep Murch ahead at half-time.

Kieran then showed great strength to crash over in the corner, and after yet another great forward drive up the pitch Kyle Foat flew out of a maul and added a final try from 25 metres.

Gavin again added the conversion for a 21-5 victory.

The final was against Litchard Junior School from Bridgend. John Dunleavy got the lads together for the pre-match pep talk.

Following the kick off, Dinas won possession and drove upfield, moving the ball and re-cycling well until Kieran went over in the corner and Gavin converted.

From the kick off Murch again kept possession and again forced their way back up the field until Lewis scored another try and Gavin converted.

Dinas were happy to hear the half-time hooter 14-0 up, but then the referee allowed play to run an extra four minutes, during which time it looked as if Litchard were going to score but the Murch defence held out.

The second half continued the same way, and for several minutes the ball was never far from the Murch goal line, but the boys showed true grit and real character by refusing to allow Litchard through, and the score remained 14-0 to Murch and they were duly awarded the Cup as Champions of Wales.