Rugby Union:Great start for Coleg Llandrillo Cymru

Oct 6 2011

COLEG Llandrillo Cymru’s rugby academy team made a fantastic start to their season this week as they defeated the British Colleges Champions, Coleg Sir Gâr, 34-28 at Colwyn Bay.

Llandrillo made a positive start to the match as Harri Evans from Llandudno made a clean break from stolen lineout ball, before linking with Lewis Stockton, also from Llandudno, to score in the corner after just three minutes.

The remainder of the first half was evenly matched with both sides playing a wide, open, exciting style of rugby.

Llanelli side Sir Gâr took the lead midway through the first half with a try and two penalties, only for Afon Bagshaw from Flint to squeeze down the touchline and score from 20 metres, having gathered loose ball from a scrappy lineout.

The Carmarthenshire visitors  took the lead again in the second half with a penalty goal following a sustained period of pressure.

However, Llandrillo responded well when a set-piece backs move allowed Jordan Sheridan to run in under the posts.

The visitors forced their noses back in front as they bullied their way over the Llandrillo line once more, taking the score to 19-21.

The North Wales side then lifted the tempo of the game with a series of line breaks that resulted in tries for Maredydd Francis from Wrexham and Harri Evans.

A penalty goal from Bagshaw put Llandrillo out of reach, and despite a late try from Sir Gâr, it was a case of too little too late.

Josh Leach, the Coleg Llandrillo Rugby academy co-ordinator, said following the game: “I am extremely pleased with the way the boys performed today; we had 14 new players in the squad and they have gelled extremely well.

“Coleg Sir Gâr is well known as one of the top rugby academies in Wales and Great Britain, and to achieve this result so early in the season is not only a great achievement for the boys, but it sets a positive tone for the season going forward as one of real development.”

Marc Roberts, the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) Performance Manager in North Wales, added: “This is a truly magnificent result given that the partnership between the WRU Rugby Gogledd Cymru (RGC) Academy and Coleg Llandrillo Cymru is only 12 months old.

“We have over the years lost countless players to the south of the country with many players and parents of the view point that the south is the best place to develop their rugby.

“Today’s result is testament to all the hard work Josh and his team have put in and clearly shows that the academy partnerships in the north are flourishing and gaining momentum.”

For more information on the College’s sports courses or the rugby academy, contact the advice and guidance team on 01492 542339.