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A Rhymney school has won the U16 Girl’s National Schools final at the Principality Stadium.
Idris Davies School claimed a 34-24 victory against Ysgol Bro Teifi on April 25 in Cardiff.
Player Katie Johnson has been dubbed “Magic Johnson” after scoring a hat-trick for the team and fellow players Sadie Jones, Lily Hawkins and Kayde Kerby also scored tries to help secure the win.
Idris Davies teacher Matthew Jones, who is responsible for rugby at the school, spoke to Caerphilly Observer about the win.
“The whole day was an absolute privilege just to watch them and see them enjoy it,” he said.
The team of 19 pupils included players who play for clubs such as Nelson Belles and New Tredegar Chargers, as well as pupils who were playing just their second-ever game of rugby in a stadium with more than 73,000 seats.
Mr Jones credits the success to the fact that many of the students play club rugby and said: “I really like to put out there to thank the coaches of New Tredegar and Nelson Belles who’ve done an amazing job developing the players to the standard that they are.”
The journey to the win started in January with an invite from the WRU, then it was onto regionals before the school team scored a place at the final at nationals earlier in April.
Mr Jones added that there was no need for them to gel as a team as most have them have played rugby together since they were around six years old and are friends – which made it even more special.
“To do it with their childhood friends,” said Mr Jones, “You could see it, they were absolutely delighted.”
The team were sent off to the final with a guard of honour and well wishes from family and friends.
“We wanted to make it special for them so we made a guard of honour coming up for the yard for them to go to the bus,” said Mr Jones.
“Some of them were in tears to be fair. They’ve never experienced anything like that.”
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The success since January has encouraged some players to play more rugby, according to Mr Jones.
“It’s grown rugby in the school,” he said, “A lot of them now play outside of school which has been brilliant to see.”
The school plans to do another guard of honour on Friday and a celebration assembly, with the local rugby club also planning something.
The win has been a fitting way to say goodbye to some of the pupils who are set to leave as they are in Year 11.
“It was just the perfect way to see them off,” said Mr Jones, who thinks that many players will have a future in the sport.
“I’ll be very disappointed if a number of those didn’t go on to represent Wales at some point in their careers.”
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