RUGBY UNION: Jack Condy, captain of a very skillful Penallta Youth team, was presented with the WRU Youth Cup by Wales internationals Andrew Coombs and Alex Cuthbert.
Penallta won the trophy for the first time with a 27-18 victory over Gilfach Goch Youth at the Millennium Stadium on April 25.
Before a sizeable crowd that offered raucous vocal support for both teams, Penallta Youth won a very physical battle against a well coached and very determined Gilfach Goch team.
Penallta Youth took an early lead with full back Ryan Davies striding over the Gilfach try-line after impressive work from the Penallta backs.
The try was converted by wing Arwel Robson.
After a good drive by the Gilfach Goch forwards, Conor Davies kicked a penalty to put the Taff Rhondda team on the scoreboard.
Penallta extended their lead with a second try by Ryan Davies before another penalty for Conor Davies cut the deficit.
A further Penallta try on the half hour gave them a comfortable 17-6 lead at half time.
Arwel Robson scored quickly after the restart and Penallta appeared to be heading for a sizeable win but Gilfach Goch did not give in.
With their big pack ever prominent Gilfach struck back with an unconverted try by fly half Josh Williams.
With their defence holding strong Penallta re-established control. Penallta scored their fifth try, the second for wing Robson after a magical piece of play by Penallta’s playmaker, No 10 Joseph Scrivens.
Gilfach then stormed into Penallta territory and prop Kieran Belmont claimed a deserved try which was converted by Josh Williams to bring Gilfach back to witin nine points of Penallta
Penallta maintained that lead to the final whistle and lifted the trophy.
• Match report by WRU.co.uk