Revenge was certainly sweet for the young Blacks & Blacks on their return to Church Bank in Llandovery for their second clash with the reigning champions. The Scarlets had won the first encounter 51-19 and had remained unbeaten in their four pool games.
But last weekend the roles were dramatically reversed as Alfie Prygodzicz’ side ran out winners by 43-26, scoring six tries. Not only that, they hit back after trailing 21-5 and had to play one short for 10 minutes when Joe Fernandez received a yellow card.
Ioan Penry, Ioan Leyshon, Gabe Williams, Ioan Dacey, Tom Howe and Rhys Cummings all crossed for tries , while Ben Coomer converted five of them and added a penalty for a match haul of 13 points.
“I was really pleased with how we played, we put in a full 70 minute performance. We knew at times during the game we would come under pressure from well coached Scarlets team with a number of strong individuals, but I thought we stuck to task well even when down to 14 men and 21-5 down,” said Turnbull.
“Against a strong wind in the first half a score just before the break put us right back in it at 21-19. The boys came out second half and right from the outset looked to play the open, expansive rugby we’ve come to see from this young group throughout the competition.
“We were able to capitalise on a number of errors and indiscipline from the opposition which allowed our set piece to come into the game and, more importantly, take control.”
Scarlets skipper Osian Williams scored two of his side’s four tries with the others coming from wing Tommy Williams and replacement hooker Hudson Nevin. Outside half Carwyn Leggatt-Jones added three conversions, but also picked up a yellow card along with lock Ollie Lewis.
The Scarlets will now play against the Dragons in the third-place play-off ahead of the final. The Ospreys beat the Dragons 35-7 in a convincing five-try display.
Hooker Logan Lloyd scored two of them and the others came from lock Alfie Thomas, wing Noah Mason and highly rated centre Jack Hoskins. Logan Jones converted two and kicked two penalties.
When the Ospreys hosted Cardiff in the pool stages they ran out 42-40 victors’ at the Brewery Field. The return game in the final promises to be equally hard to call.
“Ospreys are a well drilled, set piece team and a team who challenge the contact area heavily. We probably showed the best and worst of us in our recent 42-40 loss to the Ospreys,” added Turnbull.
“After giving them a number of easy opportunities, we showed great character and fight to never give up and could, probably should, have won it. We are now looking forward to another exciting encounter against them.”
Both teams in the third/fourth play-off match, between reigning champions Scarlets and Dragons, have made a number of changes. For the Dragons there are nine personnel changes plus three positional switches to the side which faced the Ospreys in their last game.
WRU Regional Academies finals
3 v 4 – Scarlets v Dragons KO 13.00
1 v 2 – Cardiff v Ospreys KO 15.30Cardiff: Lloyd Lucas; Rhys Wyatt, Ioan Penry, Ioan Leyshon, Rhys Cummings; Ben Coomer, Mason Daniels; Dylan Barratt, Tom Howe, Jack Clease, James Harding, Gabe Williams, Sonny McCabe, Alfie Prygodzicz (captain), Ioan Dacey
Reps: Taylor Coles, Harvey Jones, Sion Hill, Lucca Alexander-White, Brayan Kamanga, Ben Bora, Arthur Garfield, Jake PonteckiOspreys: Cian Evans; Harrison Burke, Aled Davies, Jack Hoskins, Noah Mason; Logan Jones, Caelan Carson-Jones; Logan Heaven-Hearne, Logan Lloyd, Jayden Maybank, Freddie Millward, Alfie Thomas, Elis Cox, Thomas Edwards, Sam Morgan
Reps: Mckenzie Scales, Josh Ireland, Callum Boland, Cody David, Sam Gardner, Louis Cooper, Mackenzie Williams, Evan JonesScarlets: Tomos Lewis; Thomas Williams, Tyler Davies, Gryff Watkins, Cai Evans; Rhun Davies, Bowyn Clark; Llyr James, Theo James, Teifi Thomas, Kai Jones, Ollie Lewis, Cai Howell, Jac Cloke, Osian Williams (captain)
Reps: Dyfan Llewellyn, Llion Jones, Wil Davies, Rhys Owen, Hefin Hughes, Alfie Luger, Carwyn Jones, Jac JonesDragons: Harry Dawes; Ryley Fussell, Morgan Carter, David Petrescu, Rhys Cole; Joe Salter, Carter Pritchard; Lewis Robinson-Blanche, Tiaan Hall, Max Woodward, Joshua Parfitt, Sam Walters, Elliot Beaven, Luke Daniel, Cerrig Smith (captain)
Reps: Chester Creel, Regan Jones, Scott Crewe, Ashton Swain, Tiehi Chatham, Cai Wardman, Aneurin Evans, Brogan Leary
