LAST Sunday, the Ysgol Y Preseli under 16s rugby team notched a magnificent tournament win at Millfield School.

Players, parents, supporters and coaches Marc Lloyd and Gethin Vobe left Crymych at 6.30am for Somerset, for the annual 7-a-side rugby tournament for under 16 and 18 boys.

The tournament is traditionally a warm-up for the English and Welsh Schools 7s season, and Preseli, along with Glantaf, were the only two Welsh teams competing.

Entry is by invitation only and the format was two pools of five teams, with the winners of both pools playing in a straight final.

This year, Preseli were pooled with Millfield A, Sherborne, Canford and Wellington School, and won their games 17-5, 19-5, 10-5 and 26-10 respectively. 

These results secured them a place in their first ever final against the winners of the other pool, Wellington College.

The first five minutes were tight, but after quick Preseli scores from Alex Varney and Gethin Davies, Preseli dominated and eventually romped home 36-0.

This was a squad effort with every player contributing to a fantastic victory, with many players impressing. 

Jon Hill’s work rate at the breakdown was excellent and Varney demonstrated speed and strength throughout powering through for tries when it mattered most.

If their had been a man of the tournament award, a prime candidate would have been Gethin Davies who tackled and turned ball over relentlessly, and scored vital tries.

The squad and coaches are to be commended for winning this high standard competition for the first time in the school’s history.