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  Junior Rugby News and Match Reports

 North Wales U14 continued their good form, with an impressive display  against West Cheshire, eventually running in 7 tries with only one being  conceded. North Wales started strongly, kicking off the match and subjecting the
opposition to a period of sustained pressure. West Cheshire defended bravely  but could not keep out No 8 Alex Pope who barged his way over for the first  try of the match after a series of forward drives. Strong running from the backs and forwards quickly led to a second try by  Max Davies who forced his way over in the corner. Neither try was converted  and to their credit the visitors slowly came back into the game. This was,  in part, due to a series of infringements from the North Wales side, which  led to a number of penalties against them. West Cheshire took full advantage  and impressively ran the ball through the backs scoring a good try, which  was well converted from the touchline.  Any thoughts of a comeback were soon dispelled however as the North Wales pack quickly re-asserted themselves. Disappointingly good play was often wasted as the team continued to give possession back to the opposition through silly mistakes. With the game score still close edging towards half time it was left to prop Sion Hughes to score yet another try for North Wales, keeping up his record of scoring in every game. Half time score 15-7.
An impressive aspect of this North Wales team is despite ten changes during the second half the team continued to dominate which shows the healthy competition for places the squad has.
The first points after the break came from a penalty by Osian Jones which took the score to 18-7. Playing with a more disciplined approach North Wales  began to dominate possession and territory. Some strong running down the
touch line by Alex Pope led to David Bowen scoring in the corner and this  was quickly followed by a second try for Sion Hughes who powered his way over. Osian had now found his range converting both tries impressively.
With both sets of backs tackling effectively it was the North Wales forwards who continued to make the difference with some strong line breaking runs, the highlight being a fantastic try by prop Callum Mitchell who ran in breaking all tackles from 30 yards.
An injury to captain Rhys Williams, who had led the team well throughout, meant a team re-shuffle with openside flanker Dafydd Jones moving to fly half where he again impressed. The one thing this North Wales team has is pace throughout the team and it was left to David Bowen to score the final try of the match, and his second, by running through the middle of the West Cheshire defence to score under the posts.
West Cheshire must be commended for competing throughout the match but North Wales were just too strong on the day. The team continues to build and grow, with improvement showing in all areas except for the penalty count, which needs to be addressed before the next game.

Being 18- 0 down at half time and with the prospect of playing the second period in the face of a strong gale it seemed as if an experimental Gogledd Cymru side might be in for a torrid afternoon. However showing tremendous character the team ' won ' the second half and at one stage appeared as if they might win the whole match.
 
Starting slowly the young Gogledd Cymru side found it hard to deal with the strong-running Lancastrian backs and an early penalty conceded was followed by 3 well-worked tries for the home side.
 
In the second half the North Walian forwards led by Tom Parry ( Pwlhelli ) and Gruff Jones ( Wrexham ) began to assert and with Fly-half Jac Williams ( Ruthin ) looking the star player on show so the majority of the half was spent threatening the Lancastrian line. Tries came from the impressive Will Mitchelmore and from Parry but just when it looked as if a famous win might be gained, so Lancashire broke away to score a try of their own, rendering Ben Powleys ( Exilies ) last minute try meaningless in the context of the game.
 
Nonetheless a committed performance from the whole North Wales squad giving the watching Under 18 coaches much to think about as they look to start to draw their squad together.
 
 Gogledd Cymru (U 17) are playing Yorkshire next Sunday at Selby

In what proved to be a very entertaining and physical match North Wales  produced a magnificent performance to defeat a sizeable Lancashire side who  fought right up to the final whistle. The U14's arrived with an excellent team spirit, which is what eventually  took them through to only the second ever victory by a gogledd Cymru team in  Lancashire. Lancashire kicked off the match and immediately put the Welsh side under  enormous pressure, testing the visitors defence which held firm with some  excellent tackling. Having weathered the storm the North Wales team gradually got themselves  into the match with some impressive rucking and mauling which eventually led  to the first try by prop Sion Hughes This seemed to give the visitors the confidence boost they needed and they  subsequently raised their game and ran in further first half tries from  Sion Hughes and wing David Bowen . Trailing 17-0 at half time Lancashire game out for the second half with  renewed determination. Both sides fought hard throughout the half with a lot
> of strong running and tackling. A quick tap penalty led to the first Lancashire try which was quickly  followed by a second. With their tails up and having the wind advantage it  looked like Lancashire could well overturn the first half deficit but Gogledd   Cymru again lifted their game and played some excellent rugby which resulted  in Sion Hughes claiming his third try of the game. The match continued to produce good play from both sides and a late try from  Lancashire closed things up even further at 22-15. Gogledd Cymru again pressed  to extend their lead but in the end where happy to settle for a much  deserved and hard fought victory against a very capable and strong  Lancashire team. The result was a credit to the north Wales team who stood tall against a  much bigger side and competed in all areas of the game. The Lancashire team  will no doubt be out for revenge in the return leg.