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Rhymney Valley Schools Rugby team are set to continue their campaign for the Dewar Shield.

Following matches against Bridgend and Swansea, the under-15s team will take on Pontypool Schools Rugby away this Friday, March 3 in week nine of the tournament.

The team is made up of players from teams in the Rhymney Valley area, including nine players from Senghenydd and seven from New Tredegar. 

The Dewar Shield is one of the oldest schoolboy rugby trophies in the world and is annually contested by under-15s sides from across Wales.

Cardiff Schools won the shield last year for the 27th time after they beat Rhondda 20-8 at the Principality Stadium.

The match between Rhymney Valley School Rugby and Pontypool Schools Rugby will take place at Pontypool Park.

Kick-off is at 7pm, with tickets costing £3. Anyone under the age of 16 can attend for free. 

What is the Dewar Shield?

The Dewar Shield dates back to the early 1900s and was recently restored on an episode of BBC TV’s The Repair Shop.

It’s a large mahogany shield with small silver plaques noting its winners through the years.

The custodian of the trophy, Lyn Howell, took the shield to the show’s experts who restored its silver and woodwork.

On Facebook, Brenton West, who is the silversmith at The Repair Shop, wrote: “This enormous prize (Dewar Shield) has been fought for by Welsh schoolboys for many decades.

“Most of the greats of Welsh rugby have played in the tournament. It was a fascinating opportunity. I was very happy [to] be able to return this trophy into a great condition for the school kids to continue fighting for it. Thanks to Lou for the woodwork.”

The Repair Shop can be watched in full on BBC iplayer.