Under 18s WRSU Vase Final:

Ysgol Greenhill 12-19 St Johns/Mountain Ash

YSGOL Greenhill missed out in a terrific Vase final with St Johns Aberdare and Mountain Ash as the combined school side scored a late try through full back Morgan Biggins.

With the scores at 12-12 after Harry Machin and Ben Pugh had crossed in the second half for Greenhill, Biggins settled a tight contest – but one which left the runners up with reason to be proud of their efforts.

For all the heavy rain of late, players ran out to perfect sunshine and pristine looking pitch at the Principality Stadium – and Greenhill’s decision to offer the trip to all pupils clearly paid off as their supporters heavily outnumbered those of their opponents.

But the Pembrokeshire School had to hold off some early pressure as the combined side were held up over the line, and from the scrum five that followed, it was Greenhill winger Oakley Milton who pounced on a loose pass to break upfield and avert the danger.

There was another nervy moment as Biggins hacked a loose ball ahead but lost control as he neared the try line, but as the half progressed, Greenhill got a foothold in proceedings.

A strong break from Pugh got them on the front foot, before his partner in the centre Tom Harding-Jones showed great skill to flick a pass to second row Lewis Catt, and his charging run got his side into the 22 before the attack broke down.

St John/Mountain Ash outside half Cam Samwell was off target with a 35 metre penalty – before Greenhill skipper Max Brindley provided his side’s best moment of the half, breaking through a tackle on half way and making a 40 metre run that was only halted by a brilliant cover tackle from Biggins.

But cruelly for Greenhill, they then fell behind from the final play as Biggins linked with winger Lewis Goff, who made ground down the left and although his pass back inside to Biggins hit the deck – the No 15 gathered it on the bounce to go over in the corner for an unconverted try.

However, buoyed by their great support, Greenhill came out after half time meaning business as outside half Harri Williams’ miss pass sent the outstanding Pugh on another surging break before he off loaded to Harding-Jones, who seemed set to win the race to his own kick ahead only for the bounce of the ball to deceive him at the crucial moment.

Moments later though, outside half Harri Williams put in a clever chip kick that winger Machin gathered to score and the No 10 then converted from out wide to give his side a 7-5 lead.

St Johns/Mountain Ash responded through a series of forward drives near the Greenhill line, culminating in second row Alex Mann crashing over for a try that Samwell converted.

The end to end action continued as a neat run-around move in midfield set Greenhill replacement Harry Lees free down the left wing before he was dragged into touch by the cover defence.

And soon Greenhill were back level as Pugh took a short ball and burst through a gap, before displaying great pace on an arcing run to the corner. Williams was narrowly off target with another tough conversion attempt.

But with extra time pending, it was the combined side that grabbed the verdict late on and again it was Biggins who provided the score, cutting a good angle 10 metres out and diving over for a try that Samwell goaled.

Greenhill tried to attack from deep in the dying moments but their brave effort was to end in defeat as referee Peter Young’s final whistle signalled the end of a hard fought contest.

And coaches Jonathan Evans, Justin Richards, Phil Williams and Chris Oliver all still had reason to be proud of their side after a great run in the Vase competition.

“I can’t fault the effort of these boys over the last six or seven years and playing here today is their reward,” said head coach Evans.

“They played well today and are a great bunch of boys. They have never let us down.”

Ysgol Greenhill: Harvey Johns, Daniel Machin, Ben Pugh, Tom Harding-Jones, Oakley Milton, Harri Williams, Cameron Broadhurst, Jay Brace, Matthew Busby, Owen Evans, Lewis Catt, Max Brindley (capt), Zac Rowell, Will Swales, Jake Roberts.

Replacements: Ben Eastwood, Evan Day, Joe Cole, Rhys Grigg, Fletcher Elms, Morgan Grieve, Dylan Johns, Henry Lees, Joseph Andrews, Carl Thomas.

Travelling reserves: Fin Bowi, Iori Hicks, Aaron O’Neill.