The Ystrad youngsters sealed Bowl glory against Wattstown at the Millennium Stadium before the seniors edged themselves into finals day on May 3. Wing Bowdy Davies scored a hat trick to carry them into the Cardiff showcase by the skins of their teeth with a 15-15 draw against Ynysddu – with a superior try count seeing them through.
Davies had given his side an early lead with a weaving first score before Gwent side Ysyddu roared back with a converted Ryan Evans try and a penalty to go in at half-time 10-5 ahead.
Jonathan Davies looked to have sealed Ynysddu’s place at the Millennium Stadium, but Davies had other ideas. On 72 minutes he latched onto a chip kick and beat seven defenders to score, before sealing a dramatic victory in the last minute. He raced in at the corner, before the conversion was missed, but with the try-count at 3-2, Ystradgynlais advance to the final.
They will face a Cambrian Welfare side who sealed a place in their first-ever Bowl final with a 16-10 victory over Oakdale at Nelson RFC. Welfare edged ahead at half-time with two penalties from Nathan John to Oakdale’s single Simon Veall effort.
Jamie Wick stretched the lead to 11-3 after the break before Mark Jones crashed over to all-but book their spot against Ystradgynlais. They suffered a scare when Chris Davies scored a converted try to setup a grandstand finish, but the Three East Central B side held out to make history.
