Josh Turnbull has praised his Cardiff Rugby Under-18s side after they upset the odds with victory over the Scarlets to book their place in the Regional Age-Grade Championships final.
The Blue & Blacks had a mixed group stage, including a 51-19 defeat to the Scarlets,cwith the club focusing on player development and several players handed senior opportunities to shine with Cardiff RFC.
However, there were still elements of performance in a succession of games that Turnbull was unhappy with. He challenged them to respond and put in a 70 minute performance in their semi-final showdown against the previously unbeaten Scarlets and he was delighted with the outcome at Church Bank.
The Under-18s showed plenty of resolve to weather some early Scarlet storms, trailing 21-5 and with one man in the sin-bin, early on. But they battled back and pulled away in the second-half to set-up a final with the Ospreys next Sunday.
Ioan Penry, Ioan Leyshon, Gabe Williams, Ioan Dacey, Tom Howe and Rhys Cummings all crossed for tries with Ben Coomer adding 13-points with the boot.
The Cardiff Rugby Under-18s head coach said: “I’m really pleased with how we played on Sunday we put in a full 70 minute performance. We knew at times during the game we would come under pressure from well coached Scarlets team with a number of strong individuals but I thought we stuck to task well even when down to 14 men and 21-5 down
“Against a strong wind in the first half a score just before the break put us right back in it at 21-19. The boys came out second half and right from the outset looked to play the open, expansive rugby we’ve come see from this young group throughout the competition.
“We were able to capitalise on a number of errors and indiscipline from the opposition which allowed our set piece to come into the game and importantly take control.”
Cardiff Arms Park will play host to finals day on February 23, with entry free to Under-16s, who must be accompanied by an adult and all other tickets £5 on the gate.
Turnbull has been pleased with the progress made within the Under-18s programme this season and he has now challenged his side to back up the Scarlets with another complete performance.
He added: “The program as a whole has given us time to focus on player development within a team environment. This has seen significant individual improvements around physical development as well as their technical and tactical understanding.
“This in turn has pushed the boys to become more consistent with their behaviours, which will aid them as they move up to the next level.
“Our attention now turns to Ospreys on Sunday. They are a well drilled, set piece team and a team who challenge the contact area heavily.
“We probably showed the best and worst of us in our recent 42-40 loss to the Ospreys. After giving them a number of easy opportunities, we showed great character and fight to never give up and could, probably should, have won it. We are now looking forward to another exciting encounter against our rivals.”
WRU Regional Age-Grade Championship finals
3v 4 – Scarlets v Dragons KO 13.00
1 v 2 – Cardiff v Ospreys KO 15.30