In its fourth year the Blues Cup once again proved to be huge hit throughout the region and is a great advert for the community game as each of the six finalists across the three age groups produced rugby of an outstanding level resulting in 19 tries.
Monday night at Cardiff Arms Park over 300 spectators saw The ‘Blues Cup’ finals bring the 2011 – 2012 season to a spectacular finale. The finals were a culmination of well over 2000 players, 40 clubs going head to head since the start of the season in a competition where its profile has gone from strength to strength since its beginning in 2008.
Encouragingly, each year new teams come through to the finals and this year it was the turn of Abercynon RFC who made an appearance in the U12 final for the first time along with Mountain Ash RFC who took their place in the U13 Final respectively.
Finals of this tournament are rarely dull, and the style of play in the opening game between Abercynon and Rumney in the U12’s was an absorbing clash with a great combination of commitment and skill with Rumney eventually coming out on top. Every player contributed to what was a fantastic advert for the game with Rumney No 8 Jay Jones proving to be the difference between the two sides. Abercynon to their credit kept playing and knocking the door and were deservedly rewarded with two tries in the second half.
Final Score: Rumney U12 17 V Abercynon U12 12
The passion was continued into the U13 final between Pontypridd and Mountain Ash. Pontypridd have a strong record in the competition and bring a good brand of rugby but they were pushed all the way by a spirited ‘Young Firm’ team who showed their intent when they cancelled out an early Pontypridd lead with a try under the posts. Eventually in the second half the tide turned and Mountain Ash could not get their hands on the ball and if there was a difference between the two sides, it lay with the strong running of Pontypridd No 8 Sion Edwards. As the game entered the final quarter Pontypridd pull away with some clinical rugby from both forwards and backs.
Final Score: Pontypridd U13 48 V Mountain Ash U13 7
In the U14 final it was more of the same with both teams asking questions of one another from the opening whistle. Whenever Treorchy looked like gaining momentum in the match, Cowbridge knocked them back. Their defensive organisation in the tackle area and around the breakdown was excellent and Treorchy knew they would have to work hard for every point. The half time score line of 5-5 reflected the Cowbridge defensive effort as Treorchy had the bulk of the first half possession. It took a cruel bounce of the ball to swing the game in Treorchy’s favour as impressive outside half Declan Williams gathered his chip ahead to score in the corner. The opening defensive effort took its toll on Cowbridge and the game began to open up with both Treorchy centres making some strong breaks with delicate off loads. Treorchy could now sense victory and they sealed the win with a try under the posts to win the cup for the first time.
Final Score: Cowbridge U14 5 V Treorchy U14 22
Try Scorers: Max Brayley, Rhys Jones, Jack Mullins, Connor Dixon, Conor Hayman (U12)
Connor Evans, Sion Edwards, Callum Hall, Rhodri Smith, Jordan Thomas, Matthew Willmott,
Shaun Owen (U13)
Aron Clarke, Declan Williams, Lewis Morgan, Nathan Robson (U14)