As a warm up to the Celtic Crusaders game against Harlequins RLFC Wales u14s and u16s took on the Harlequins junior teams at Pencoed Comprehensive school.

The games kicked off simultaneously at 1pm and proved to be highly entertaining affairs with Wales coming out on top in both encounters.

U14s Wales 32 Harlequins 10

Wales included players picked:

• Champion Schools Competition
• Brynmawr Comprehensive
• St Josephs RC Comprehensive
• Croesyceiliog Comprehensive
• Cyfarthfa High School

It was clear from the outset that Harlequins couldn’t cope with Wales’ superior skill. Throughout the game the three back rowers Scott Cole, Thomas Owen and Andrew Waite were creating holes in the Harlequins defense with strong powerful runs.

Wales raced into a lead with tries from Scott Cole, Andrew Waite and Dominc Franchi. Harlequins produced a mini fight back but a number of strong bone crunching tackles in defense from centre Ryan Evans put pay to the Harlequins attack.

Courtney Davies continued to marshal the side from scrum half and Wales finished with a convincing win.

Wales Rugby League Development Officer Dan Clements said, "it was great to see the squad playing so well, with the majority of them playing a full competitive game for the first time and they all gelled really well. We couldn’t separate the man of the match between

the two stand out players Scott Cole and Andrew Waite.

U16s Wales 32 Harlequins 14

Included players picked up from:

• Cwm Rhymni Comprehensive
• Brynmawr Comprehensive
• St Josephs RC Comprehensive

In the older age group Wales ran out 32 – 14 winners in another exciting game. From the start scrum half Daffyd Carter (Cwm Rhymni) controlled the game with excellent link play and an outstanding kicking game. His work with centres Sam Hobbs and Alex Herbert (both Cwm Rhymni) set up a number game breaking attacks.

Alex Herberts offload game at times looking unstoppable however the try of the game went to Blackwood’s Matthew McGovern. Carter created the gap and McGovern then went half the length of the field before beating the full back one on one to score in the corner.

The man of the match award was a tough one to call with the coaching staff going for Brynmawr’s Grant Carney who's great attack and relentless defense prevented Harlequins crossing the line at a number of crucial points in the game.

Wales Rugby League Development Officer Aled James said "After the fixture against London and the South over the summer, this result is very pleasing. Over the summer we were on the end of a heavy defeat, to come back and put in a performance like this is great. It goes to show the talent we have in Wales, with a lot of these players coming from the Champion Schools programme.

article by Dan Clements
26 January 2008