In freezing conditions at Penclwadd RFC the Cardiff and Vale U12 Junior Association District Squad took to the field in confident mood following their much improved performance against Bridgend.
Indeed, Cardiff started the match in an adventurous manner and both half backs, Tom OBrien (St.Peters RFC) and Lloyd Rayer (Pentyrch RFC), put tempo and width into the game at every opportunity; the result of which saw prop Jean-Babtiste Bruzulier (Llandaff RFC) crash over in the corner after 10 mins. Cardiff doubled their lead shortly afterwards when an overlap was smartly finished by Harry Robinson (Pentyrch RFC) and despite further pressure were unable to add to the lead and went in at half time 10-0 ahead.
Swansea came out firing at the start of the second half and to their credit camped on the Cardiff line for 10 minutes, although they were unable to score with valiant defending from the likes of front rowers Josh Dunleavy (Dinas Powys RFC) and Josh Burridge (St.Albans RFC) to the fore. After this period of play, Cardiff swept back up the field with centres Josh Hurley and Kieran Driscoll (both Dinas Powys RFC) making some impressive breaks, and from such an attacking thrust flanker Liam Union (Stanwell CS) brushed aside three tacklers to score.
In the closing stages Swansea continued to show some true spirit, although as they attacked from deep, replacement centre Gareth Davies (Dinas Powys RFC) made a fantastic tackle on his opposite number and in one movement, got up and stole the ball before racing over the line for a fine individual score. With the game up, Cardiff centre Hurley raced away for the final score that his performance deserved to make the scoreline 31-0 to Cardiff & Vale a result that will stand the squad in good stead for their return encounter with Gwent on January 16th.
Team manager Mark Middlemiss commented It was a great all round team performance; the players deserve all credit for the improvements they have made since September and the attitude and aptitude they now show for representative rugby is impressive indeed.
Along with this success on the field the Under 12s are also to be commended for their recent efforts at Asda, Pontprennau in Cardiff when they raised nearly £1000 for the District fund.
By Gruff Rees
Development Officer