CAVC director of rugby Martyn Fowler is the first to admit that Cymoedd, along with reigning champions Coleg Sir Gar, have been one of the dominant forces in the elite programme for Under 18 players in Wales, but his side are ready to do something about that.
“There was a time when our boys simply had to see a Cymoedd shirt and they were beaten. But we beat them once last year, beat them in the sevens and things are changing,” said Fowler.
“We had four players on last month’s Wales U18 tour to South Africa, including player of the series Ben Thomas, had 24 players in the Blues South Regional Age Grade U18 squad and got off to a winning start last weekend.
“We’ve amalgamated with Cowbridge Comprehensive School this season and that has greatly strengthen the depth of our squad and given us a handful more very good players. Our preparation for this game hasn’t been perfect, but it is a massive occasion for our boys.
“This competition is all about giving them the stage on which to shine and there could be no better stage to perform than the Arms Park against your local rivals.”
A lot of Fowler’s players were in France last weekend on a trip with Cowbridge Youth and that has limited preparation time ahead of tonight’s live game on S4C’s Facebook page. Tony Lamerton has been moved from full back to outside half in the season-long absence of injury victim Bevan Howells and Fowler is excited by the raw potential of second row Anthony Cox.
“We spotted him coming out of the library and thought he could do us a job. He has thrown himself into it and is doing very well, although tonight will be a big test of how far he has come,” added Fowler.
“But it’s great for players like him and Tony Lamerton to have Blues stars Josh Turnbull and Dan Fish involved in the coaching group.”
CAVC opened with a convincing 43-10 triumph at Llandovery College in Round 1, while Cymoedd, beaten by Sir Gar in last season’s final to stop their bid for a hat-trick of titles, began with a 63-14 demolition of Gower College at Sardis Road.
Welsh Schools & Colleges League – Round 2
Tuesday, 19 September
Cardiff & Vale College v Coleg Y Cymoedd (7.15pm, Cardiff Arms Park)
Wednesday, 20 September (all 2.30pm)
Bridgend College v Llandovery College
Coleg Gwent v Coleg Llandrillo
Gower College v Neath Port Talbot College
Whitchurch HS v Pembrokeshire College
Ysgol Glantaf v Coleg Sir Gar
Tuesday Teams
Cardiff & Vale College: Odin Pronk; Harrison Ashby, Max Cunnington, Jac Roberts, Cain Sutton; Tony Lamerton, Josh Nolan; Connor Brooks, Owen Harvey, Ellis Simon, Anthony Cox, Trent Jones, Ellis Reed, James Bartlett (captain),Reuben Williams
Reps: Luc Williamson, Max Lucas, Cameron Roy, Aron Churchill, Cavel Sinclair, Ioan Lewis, Jake Beetham, Sean Maher
Coleg Y Cymoedd: Iwan Price-Thomas; George Thomas, Joe Vickers, Leon Davies; Rhys Davies, Josh Oakley; Garyn Phillips, Ieuan Morris, Fraser Hughes, Cian Lewis-Hughes, Thomas John, Ioan Davies, Callun James (captain), Ieuan Pring
Reps: Garran Williams, Matthew Isles, Iestyn Haskins, Mitchell Barnard, Lloyd Gregory, Nathan Griffiths, Cavan Slade, Will Clapham
