The side won four of their five matches, with victories over France, Scotland, the USA at Under 16 level and Saracens Under 17, only losing to hosts England in the final game.
Davies took a 46 man squad to the Berkshire-based tournament with the five matches taking place over eight days, with every member of the squad playing a full part.
First up for the young Welsh side was USA on Saturday 30 March which they won convincingly 45-16 in the end. Wales scored seven tries in all including two for Penallta and Dragons wing Patric Lewis and one for Llandovery and Scarlets full back Jack Evans who also scored 10 points with the boot for a personal tally of 15 points.
Simon Davies said, “The USA were a big, physical side but we showed our intention to play as much rugby with the ball in hand as possible. We managed to break them as the game wore on and despite some errors, the most pleasing aspect for our first game of the tournament was that we managed to put together some of the multi-phase rugby we had set out to do and challenge the opposition with the ball in hand, very much in line with Allan Lewis’ National Age Grade playing philosophy.”
Next up was Scotland in another uncapped international on Monday 1 April. Two tries from Dragons full back Jared Rosser, and a further one from fellow Dragons back Lloyd Lewis and 12 points from Blues outside half Luke Fish set up a 27-7 half time lead but there was a drop in performance in the second half.
Davies explained, “Our first half performance against Scotland was excellent when we managed to keep the ball for long periods and capitalise on that possession. It was disappointing however to concede a try just before half time at 27-0 up and in the second half we lost our cohesion after changes were made, just holding on for a one point win.”
Wales’ first of two capped Test matches came against France on Tuesday 2 April. In a competitive match, Wales were able to overcome France’s physicality and set the tempo, especially in the second half, running in four tries in all from Patric Lewis, Harry Randall, Rhys Gealy and Jack Evans, Evans adding two first half penalties and a second half conversion.
With two games remaining, Davies’ coaching team selected the starting line-ups to play Saracens Under 17 on Friday 5 April at Allianz Park and England Under 16 at Iffley Road, Oxford University’s ground on Saturday 6 April.
Despite trailing to an older, more experienced Saracens side 31-8 at half-time, Wales then produced an outstanding demonstration of attacking rugby to score 39 unanswered points and come away worthy winners. London Irish and Forest School centre John Williams scored two tries with Shaun Pearce, Patric Lewis and Steff Taffetsaufer also touching down and replacement outside half Luke Fish adding 14 points from the boot in the superb second half display.
Davies said, “The boys came out with a real attitude and desire after half time producing the best half of rugby I’ve seen by any age grade team. It was a real highlight for everyone involved and the offloading, the running lines, the ruck speed, the multi phase play all contributed to a second half where we literally tore the opposition apart.”
The England Test was undeniably the toughest challenge but Wales got off to a promising start, going in 15-3 up at half time thanks to tries from Scarlets centre Matthew Pearce and Ospreys wing Rhys Gealy and a conversion and penalty for Jack Evans.
But England came back strongly, scoring some fantastic tries of their own, Wales also making some critical errors.
Davies added, “It was disappointing not to win that game, and while it doesn’t make losing that match any easier, the players certainly made a huge amount of progress in the lead-up to that match. They responded well to what was asked of them and I’m sure the experience of training and playing together in a tournament environment will stand them in good stead as they take the next steps in age grade rugby.
“I feel the standard of player is rising year on year, and the work the regional age grade coaches are doing means that the players are more skilful when they come to us, particularly in the contact area which means we can achieve so much more in a short time.
“Three of this squad, Patric Lewis, Harry Randall and Jared Rosser will still be eligible for Welsh Schools Under 16 next year while many others, I believe, have the talent and hunger to go on to achieve a lot more in age grade rugby at least.”
Results
Saturday 30 March, Wellington College
Welsh Schools Under 16 A 45 – 16 USA
Wales scorers:
Tries: Patric Lewis (2), Sid Blackmore, Curtis Povey, Matthew Pearce, Jack Evans, John Williams
Cons: Jack Evans (2)
Pens: Jack Evans (2)
Monday 1 April, Wellington College
Welsh Schools Under 16 A 27 – 26 Scotland Under 16
Wales scorers:
Tries: Jared Rosser (2), Lloyd Lewis
Cons: Luke Fish (3)
Pens: Luke Fish (2)
Tuesday 2 April, Wellington College
Welsh Schools Under 16 25 – 6 France Under 16
Wales scorers:
Tries: Patric Lewis, Harry Randall, Rhys Gealy, Jack Evans
Con: Jack Evans
Pens: Jack Evans (2)
Friday 5 April, Allianz Park
Welsh Schools Under 16 47 – 31 Saracens Under 17
Wales scorers:
Tries: Patric Lewis (2), John Williams (2), Shaun Pearce, Steff Taffetsaufer
Cons: Luke Fish (4)
Pens: Luke Fish (2), Josh Malson
Saturday 6 April, Iffley Road
Welsh Schools Under 16 26 – 32 England Under 16
Wales scorers:
Tries: Rhys Gealy (2), Matthew Pearce
Con: Jack Evans
Pens: Jack Evans (3)
Welsh Schools U16 Squad for Wellington College tournament
Forwards: Sam Brinkworth (Blues South / Whitchurch HS/ Rumney), Rhys Fawcett (Scarlets / Pembroke / Pembroke), Rhys Forse (Blues South / Barry HS), Dai Harris (Blues North / Tonypandy Comp / Ystrad Rhondda), Gerwyn Coleman (Blues North / Tonypandy / Ystrad Rhondda), Aldi Coverdale (Blues South/ Glantaf / Llanishen), Jack Davies (Dragons / Oakdale / Abertillery), Matthew Moore (Scarlets / Bryngwyn / Llanelli Wanderers), Kieron Asseratti (Blues North / Porth County / Treorchy), Richard Bassett (Scarlets / Strade / Llanelli Wanderers), Leon Brown (Dragons / St Josephs / St Josephs), Joel Ringer (Blues South / Stanwell / Cowbridge), Jacob Blackmore (Ospreys / Cefn Saeson / Tonmawr), Callum Haggett (Blues North / Tonyrefail / Ystrad Rhondda), Tom Hayward (Blues South / Radyr CS / Pentyrch), Bryce Morgan (Dragons / Caerleon High / Caerleon), Shaun Evans (Scarlets / Bryngwyn / Felinfoel), Dan Holder (Blues South / Cowbridge CS / Cowbridge), Lloyd Phillips (Dragons / Monmouth / Abergavenny), Sid Blackmore (Blues South / Cathedral HS / Llandaff), Shaun Edwards (Scarlets / Strade / Llanelli Wanderers), Morgan Sienawski (Blues North / Bryn Celynnog / Llantwit Fadre), Joe Gaughan (Blues South / Cowbridge CS / Cowbridge), Josh Macleod (Scarlets / Bro Gwaun / Crymych), Steff Taffetsauffer (Scarlets / Strade / Llanelli Wanderers), Stephen Leonard (Scarlets / Newcastle Emlyn / Newcastle Emlyn)
Backs: Matthew Aubery (Ospreys / Pontarddulais / Pontarddulais), Liam Free (Blues South / Whitchurch / Llandaff), Harry Randall (Scarlets/ Llandovery Coll / Kidwely), Rhodri Rees (Scarlets/ Strade / Pontarddulais), Luke Fish (Blues South / St Illtyds / Rumney), Callum Hall (Blues North / Mountain Ash / Pontypridd), Josh Malson (Dragons / St Albans / Pontypool Utd), James Hussey (Dragons / Caldicot / Abergavenny), Billy McBryde (Scarlets / Maes yr Yrfa / Tumble), Matthew Pearce (Scarlets/ Strade / Llanelli Wanderers), Owen Watkin (Ospreys / Llangynwyd / Bryncethin), Lloyd Lewis (Dragons / Gwynllyw / Croesyceiliog), John Williams (Exiles / Forest School / London Irish), Patric Lewis (Dragons / Lewis Boys/ Penallta), Shaun Pearce (Scarlets / Strade / Llanelli Wanderers), Jack Evans (Scarlets / Llandovery Coll / Llandovery), Curtis Povey (Blues North / Tonypandy / Ystrad Rhondda), Jared Rosser (Dragons / Abersychan / Pontypool Utd), Rhys Gealy (Ospreys / Gwyr / Pontarddulais), Kieran Jones (Scarlets / Dyffryn Taf / Carmarthen Quins)
