Another great afternoon of rugby from these three different age groups. Report kindly supplied by Eifion Harding.
To the impartial viewer at Pant Carw the afternoon provided as fine a display of fully committed rugby as you could wish to see from the three age groups on view. Every game was so keenly contested with each and every point fought for with unrivalled determination.
Nant Conwy Under 13's 60 v Eccles Under 13's 40
Four ten minute sessions of all out action with Nant's extra pace being the deciding factor. Nant's top try scorer was Dominique Jones with 5 followed by 2 from Mari Thomas and one apiece from Elliw Jones, Angharad Butler, Carwen Williams, Mared Williams and Modlen Alun. Some of the Nant girls, on a rota basis, also assisted Eccles in order to balance the numbers with Elliw Jones to much amusement scoring for both teams.
Nant Conwy Under 15's 24 v Eccles Under 15's 26
The intensity and ferocity shown here was an eye opener from the start with pace and power prominent on both sides. Some decisive points, sadly for the home side, were scored, simply through a lack of continued concentration whilst the majority on the other hand were 'top drawer'.
Eccles opened the scoring when the home defence were caught napping from a given penalty but Nant clawed their way back up field with a fine Alice Williams break drawing them level.
The combative element was unsurpassed with no quarter being given but the pace of Holly Jones, on receiving a well timed pass extended Nant's lead. A period of urgency and determination from the likes of Ruby and Heledd Roberts and Non Pyrs kept Nant on the front foot to grant Alice Williams and Holly Jones another try a piece. Heledd converted twice to give Nant Conwy 24 points and what appeared at the time to be a fairly commanding lead.
Nant, on reflection, were seriously hampered when lock Mali Williams, a true unsung hero, was forced to leave the field. For from that moment on Eccles gained quicker and cleaner ball from rucks and mauls to launch more sustained attacks. Their powerful centre seized the moment to power through the cover to ground under the sticks on two occasions, affording two easy conversions to draw Eccles back to within three points.
With time running out the impressive Chloe and Holly Jones combination nearly brought reward but with the engrossed touchline crowd ambling to and fro it was the same Eccles clad player that delivered what was to be the final nail with yet another determined counterattacking run that saw her score out wide and bring to a close a truly pulsating encounter.
Nant Conwy Under 18's 34 v Eccles Under 18's 31
It was hardly to be expected that the final match of the afternoon would match the previous encounter as regards commitment and nail biting expectancy but it soon materialised that that would be the case.
Eccles opened brightly, kept possession well and soon found themselves two tries ahead, one a touchline break and the other a flowing move from the back of a scrum. A series of quickly taken penalties brought some reward for Nant with livewire scrumhalf Sioned Williams finally picking up the loose ball to score. Sioned also contributed four points to the total with two creditable conversions.
A lost midfield ball soon resulted in Eccles restoring their advantage but much to their annoyance Lea Royle popped up from nowhere to complete an attack instigated by Gwenllian Pyrs and Teleri Davies's charges.
Having brought themselves back into contention, Nant's lackadaisical last play of the half attitude saw Eccles's swift backline play secure them a fourteen point halftime advantage.
A Chloe Jones effort was cancelled out for a second movement early in the second period but Nant sustained pressure and the ever improving Gwenllian Pyrs lifted home spirits when unstoppable from a short penalty charge. Eccles however countered quickly with their all skills encompassing scrumhalf gliding through to cross the thirty point barrier.
As had been witnessed in the previous encounter it was the team in arrears that mounted a sterling comeback. Lea Royle once again broke through the rearguard to cross the whitewash and when Gwenllian Pyrs repeated her previous feat from yet another short penalty charge a grandstand finish was in the offering.
Ruby Roberts was a constant gain line breaker whilst still being able to provide good recyclable ball but the Eccles rearguard, although under pressure, were able to find lengthy clearance kicks from any ball that came their way.
However a final counterattack from deep resulted in a melee that saw Teleri Davies emerge with ball in hand to set off on a solo run that was halted inches short of the try line. The advancing onslaught of Green jerseys drove over and with baited breath the referee signalled a grounding, courtesy of Lea Royle to start the expected victorious celebration.
An engrossing afternoon of girls rugby had been witnessed by all and one could not but surmise that a number of those representing both squads will surely go on to achieve higher honours within the game in the near future if they so desire.
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