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Davies double helps North defeat South

2nd March 2016


Centre Rhys Davies grabbed a try double as five-try Cardiff Blues Under-16s North took regional bragging rights by defeating the Cardiff Blues Under-16s South 31-7 in an entertaining clash at BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park.

A try from centre Bevan Howells had given the South a slender 7-5 half-time lead in the Welsh capital.

But in the second half it was the North who took control with Davies grabbing a brace to ensure victory.

Both teams had enjoyed successful seasons in the Regional Age Grade Championships and it was the South who dominated territory and possession in the early exchanges as rain descended.

With a strong wind to their backs, centres Drew Stephens and Howells made darts for the line only to be held out while Anthony Lamerton looked a dangerous runner from deep.

However, it was the North who struck first on the half hour as two powerful driving lineouts caused problems and when they peeled off the front lock Thomas John scored.
 
Hooker Ieuan Morris and flanker Ioan Davies combined for another break for North up the middle while Gruff Roberts for the South broke the defensive line and offloaded.
 
The South hit back just before the interval as, after several waves of attack, Howells threw a superb dummy and shot over the line. Fly half Jake Hillman added the conversion for a 7-5 lead.
 
North re-took the lead early in the second half when replacement centre Jac Harvey produced a delightful grubber kick through and Davies scored his first try of the night.
 
North wing George Thomas, with a weaving run, caused panic before Morgan James responded with a great line break for the South.
 
The North took control of the game in the final quarter and powerful Number Eight Carwyn Owen produced a stunning run up the middle before popping up in the next attack to touch down.
 
Outside centre Davies showed great pace and a wonderful step to dart over for the fourth of the night before the score was complete in the last minute when wing Liam Lloyd raced around the outside and, when ball was recycled, lock Cian Lewis Hughes drove over.
 
Cardiff Blues North Under-16s:
 
15 Ethan Conway, 14 George Thomas, 13 Rhys Davies, 12 Joe Vickers, 11 Liam Lloyd, 10 Cavan Slade, 9 Nathan Griffiths; 1 Curtis Whitford, 2 Ieuan Morris, 3 Curtis Whitford (c), 4 Thomas John, 5 Cian Lewis Hughes, 6 Ioan Davies , 7 Connor Dixon, 8 Carwyn Owen
 
Replacements: 16 Taine Hendy, 17 Fraser Hughes, 18 Mathew Iles, 19 Mitchell Barnard, 20 Cerith Lloyd, 21 Kyle Evans, 22 Jac Harvey, 23 Logan Lagier
 
Cardiff Blues South Under-16s:
 
15 Anthony Lamerton, 14 Max Cunnington, 13 Drew Stephens, 12 Bevan Howells, 11 Alex Morgan, 10 Jake Hillman, 9 Joe Williams; 1 Joe Melhuish, 2 Max Lucas, 3 Adam Conway, 4 Dylan Rigby, 5 Lewis Jameson (c), 6 James Bartlett, 7 Gruff Roberts, 8 Reuban Williams
 
Replacements: 16 Rhys Wellbeloved, 17 Harry Boxall, 18 Ellis Simon, 19 Nathan Crothers, 20 Trent Jones, 21 Morgan James, 22 Ioan Davies, 23 Williams Young