Rugby league club, Aber Valley Wolves, are celebrating a double success as their under-13s and under-15s teams both won their cup final matches at the Welsh Ruby League Grand Finals Day on Sunday, August 12.
The sides encountered tense final fixtures, with both triumphing by single scores at Sardis Road in Pontypridd.
The under-13 final saw the wolves come up against the Bridgend Blue Bulls in their final.
After tries from Harri Ackerman, Joshua Insley, Corey Gilfillan and Keaton Davies, the two sides found themselves level at full time.
After regular time, the game went into extra time, with the first score set to provide the winner.
Both sides fought for the golden point during the first period, with Shea Duggan going close for Bridgent before the wolves’ Tomas Lewis had a score disallowed for a forward pass.
With the game at its most tense in the second period, the wolves managed to exploit a dropped ball, and crossed for the final score of the game to ensure a 22-18 victory.
The Wolves’ under-15s side were also involved in a tense and exciting final, befitting of the occasion.
Up against the Cardiff Blue Dragons, both sides fielded players from the Wigan Warriors’ Super League Academy.
The quality on show provided spectators with a fast-paced spectacle, but it was Wales under-16 vice-captain Kyle Huish who stole the show for Aber Valley.
Huish crossed for four tries after Will Oates gave the Wolves the lead with the game’s opening score inside five minutes.
Owen Isaac and Billy Walkley also crossed for the Wolves, and despite a spirited fightback effort in both halves from Cardiff, the wolves proved too strong and saw out a 46-40 victory.
The under-15s dedicated their trophy to their absent coach Dafydd Hellard, who is currently fighting testicular cancer.
Helen Treherne, General Manager for Aber Valley Wolves, said: “To win one age group grand final is fantastic but to win two, against two talented, skilled, well-drilled opposing teams, well that’s just immense.
“I think the secret to this year’s success is the hard work and determination of the coaches, loyalty and dedication of the parents and the pure grit, work rate and confidence of the players.
“We also wouldn’t exist without our sponsors, so I have to say a special thanks you to Aber DIY, Rich West Engineering Ltd, Rob Morris Environmental Services, Miles Facilities Solutions, Moonraker Entertainment and Alternative Meats.
“The wolfpack is sad to see the season come to an end, but we’re already looking forward to next season and defending our grand final victories.”
The Aber Valley Wolves Junior Rugby League Club was formed in 2011 and is the only junior rugby league club in the Caerphilly County Borough. It fields teams in the under-13s, under-15s and under-17s age groups.
This season the Wolves moved to their new ground in Aneurin Park, Penyrheol, having previously struggled to find a permanent home.
The move followed a sports development grant and community chest fund grant from Caerphilly County Borough Council that helped the club purchase rugby post-protectors, corner posts, balls, and coaching courses and first aid training.