Rugby Union: North Wales Exiles win Llangoed Sevens

Jun 10 2010

WHILE there was plenty for Llandudno and Abergele to be proud of at Saturday’s Llangoed International Sevens rugby union tournament it was the North Wales Exiles who stole the show.

The in-form outfit, whose squad contains a mixture of mainly Rhyl, Colwyn Bay and RGC 1404 players, barely broke sweat, scoring 268 points and conceding just 20 on the day – including a 51-0 whitewash of defending champions Llangefni in the opening clash.

The final was a completely one-sided affair as the Exiles strolled to a 49-5 victory over a strong Llandudno team, who had gone one better than last year when they reached the semis.

However, Tudno were no match for the merciless Exiles who had already trounced them 29-0 in their group game.

The Exiles also entered a second squad packed full of Rhyl’s double-winning youth team, and despite it being their first event, just missed out on a place in the final after big wins against Caernarfon (26-0), Bethesda (33-5) and Llangefni (26-7).

The North Wales Exiles were using the competition as preparation for their upcoming appearance in the International Open, at the Manchester Rugby Sevens, on July 3 and 4.

The event will be a huge step up for the young squad as they compete alongside a dozen of the biggest names in UK sevens. Sky television will also be there on day two with the Sunday games being screened live.

The Exiles are also looking for sponsors ahead of their participation in the tournament and any potential sponsors can ring 01745 851851 or 07770 264464 for more information.

RESULTS – Group games: North Wales Exiles 51 Llangefni 0; North Wales Exiles 41 Bethesda 5; North Wales Exiles 28 Caernarfon 10; North Wales Exiles 70 NW Exiles Youth 0; North Wales Exiles 29 Llandudno 0, Bethesda 10 Llandudno 22, NW Exiles Youth 26 Caernarfon 0, Llangefni 12 Caernarfon 22, Llandudno 31 NW Exiles Youth 0, Bethesda 12 Caernarfon 21, Llangefni 7 Llandudno 17, Bethesda 5 NW Exiles Youth 33, Llangefni 12 Bethesda 17, Llandudno 12 Caernarfon 12, Llangefni 7 NW Exiles Youth 26.

Final table (3 pts for win): NW Exiles 15, Llandudno 10, NW Exiles Youth 9, Caernarfon 7, Bethesda 3, Llangefni 0.

Final: North Wales Exiles 49 Llandudno 5.

North Wales Exiles winning squad: Richard de Carpentier (UWIC); Mike Hall (Rhyl); Rob Tilley (Rhyl/RGC 1404); Sean Condon (Rhyl Youth/Kirkham Grammar School); Lloyd Hayes (Ellesmere College); Tommy Banks (Northumbria University/Fylde); James Farrell (Rhyl/Chester/RGC 1404); Dan Bibby (UWIC); Rhys Hayes (Chester/UWIC); Kriss Wilkes (Rhyl Youth/RGC 1404); John Hall (Rhyl); Josh Leach (UWIC/Colwyn Bay/Rydal Vikings).

Meanwhile, in the morning groups Abergele completed a quadruple, convincingly defeating all opponents to win the rugby field tournament. This added to Gele’s collection of WRU Division Four North, Junior Cup and Intermediate Cup crowns.

Menai Bridge won all four matches to take the honours on the village soccer field with Longford Park from Manchester runners-up.