The U16 championship semi-final game tonight at the Cardiff International Sports Stadium, where the Blues South take on Blues North.
This game has wetted the appetite of the whole region, as this is the first time the sides have been pitched together in a knockout game. Needless to say that from a regional perspective it’s fantastic that we will definitely have a team in the final on February 8th.
So far this year, the sides have met each other twice at the pool stages, with the South emerging victors on both occasions. The South finished in top spot of the pool losing only one game from ten, whilst the North have achieved their aim of claiming fourth position after some early season losses. Their recent wins over the Dragons (18-17) and RGC (43-12), have certainly given them great momentum coming into tonight’s clash.
The South on the other hand had to bounce back from a (16-12) loss at the hands of the Scarlets, and did so by defeating the Dragons (20-12) at Pontypool Park last Wednesday. The South are also unbeaten at home this season, and will want to continue with that trend tonight.
The other semi final is between the Scarlets and Ospreys, but isn’t being played tonight, as the Dragons host the Ospreys in the last pool game.
Blues South team
15 James Whittingham, 14 Ellis Wyn Benham, 13 Matthew Edwards, 12 Tyler Williams, 11 Richard Singer, 10 Callum Sheedy, 9 Chris Brace
8 Shane Young, 7 Matthew Marley, 6 Jordan Viggers, 5 Rory Bartle, 4 Brad Mais (C), 3 Kieran Trotman, 2 Harry Roberts, 1 Robert Lewis
16 Ryan Farrah, 17 Lewis Isaac, 18 Joshua Thomas, 19 Matthew Allen, 20 Cameron O’Sullivan, 21 Rory Harries, 22 George Connolly, 23 Joseph Williams
Blues North team
15 Cody Baker, 14 Thomas Davies, 13 Harri Millard, 12 Lewis Morgan, 11 Gideon Summerhill, 10 Jarrad Evans, 9 Cai Jenkins
8 Josh Lloyd, 7 Owen Young (C), 6 Aled Evans, 5 Ben Murphy, 4 James Little, 3 Luke Jones, 2 Liam Belcher, 1 Luke Raynes
16 Tome Hope, 17 Josh James, 18 Morgan John, 19 Hemi Barnes, 20 Jack Bradwick, 21 Dewi Morris, 22 Ashley John, 23 Corey Shephard