Tournament success

The organisers were grateful to St Patrick’s from Cardiff for making up the pool numbers at very short notice. The annual difficulties with Year 6 trips meant that stalwart supporters of the tournament - such as Victoria and Sully - were unable to attend.

But it was good to welcome back Evenlode in the both competitions who gave an excellent account of themselves.

In the netball contest, Albert were looking to defend the O’Shea Cup but came unstuck against a very good St Patrick’s team.

In Pool A, Evenlode won all three games and were joined in the semi's by Cogan on count-back.

In Pool B, four of the teams were well matched with no fewer than four drawn matches but St Patrick’s were imperious, going into the semi's without conceding a goal.

A physically much bigger Evenlode beat St Joseph’s 5-0 to proceed to the final, where they were joined by St Patrick’s who were too strong for a good Cogan side. Inspired by centre, Lucy Herring, the Cardiff side repeated their triumph of 2004 with a comprehensive victory. The standard of netball was high and a testimony to the success of the local league which takes place throughout the year at the Sports Hall at Ysgol Pen y Garth.

In the Rugby Competition, Ysgol Pen y Garth looked impressive in Group A defeating Evenlode 22-7, with Luke Swain scoring a hat-trick of tries, and Rhys Evans contributing 5 tries and 5 conversions in the pool matches.

The team were also too strong for Cogan winning comfortably and booking their place in the semi's with a hard-fought win over St Andrew’s by three converted tries to one.

Evenlode grew into the competition after their initial loss and scored 87 points in their remaining two games with Harry Williams responsible for 5 tries and ten conversions.

In Pool B, St Patrick’s got off to an excellent start with a 33-0 win over a plucky Albert team who never gave up and tackled heroically.

St Joseph’s managed to win all three games starting with a hard-won victory over a very competitive Fairfield team by 21-0.

Tries were shared between Dominic Boyle and Spencer Robinson.

Fairfield recovered from their early loss to defeat St Patrick’s 26-5 with Alex Donovan and Sol Khan both prominent - and the same players accounted for Albert in a 40-0 win.

St Joseph’s got stronger as the competition went on and with William Gale and Spencer Robinson prominent and Rhys Buckley leading by example they moved into the semi's with wins over Albert (31-0) and St Patrick’s (33-7).

The semi-finals were both excellent games of rugby.

Ysgol Pen y Garth showed exemplary teamwork and classic Welsh handling to race into a 19-0 lead at half-time thanks to two more tries from Luke Swain and one from Scott Willetts. Rhys Evans converted two.

In a markedly different second half, Fairfield fought hard and outscored Ysgol by three tries to one to lose narrowly by 26-19.

In the second match, Evenlode’s Harry Williams scored an outstanding try after his team survived intense pressure on their line. William Gale equalised with a solo effort of his own on the stroke of half-time.

The game was as tense in the second half, with outstanding defence from both teams.

St Joseph’s however managed to score further tries from William Gale and captain Rhys Buckley which proved just enough to take them through to the final.

The final was a classic encounter with terrific endeavour and skill from both sides. Defences were well-organised and both teams were aware of the other’s strike runners. It truly was ‘nip and tuck’ for 14 minutes until the deadlock was broken by a fantastic try from William Gale for the host team, which Matthew Rogers converted for a final score of 7-0 Thanks are due to all of the children competing and their coaches and head teachers for supporting the tournament once again.

Particular thanks are due to Mrs Iona Edwards, the head teacher of Ysgol Pen y Garth, for providing her school’s facilities for two groups to play.

The presentation as well as the tournament itself was once again sponsored by J.M. Textiles.

The organisers are indebted to J.M. and those other local businesses that supported the programme for their continued interest and involvement.

Lucy Herring, of St Patrick’s, and William Gale, of St Joseph’s, were judged to be the Players of the Tournament by Lesley Dancey (Vale P.E. and School Sport Co-ordinator) and rugby referees Meilir Tomos and Tony Ellis. Thanks are due to all of the officials as well as the hardworking staff and PTA of St Joseph’s for making the tournament such a resounding success.