Vale Schools 10

Pembroke Schools 14

THE Vale School Under-15s unbeaten run came to an end against Pembroke Schools.

In the atrocious weather the team was decimated by a sickness bug and with several players out of position they went down to a late converted try.

Given the conditions, both teams played some lovely rugby which was a pleasure to watch. The Vale’s tries were scored by Will Hardy and Benji Williams.

During half-term the team soon got back on track, winning a round-robin tournament at Merthyr RFC beating Cardiff Schools 20 - 0, Cynon Valley Schools 15 - 5 and Pontypridd Schools 10 - 0.

Vale Schools 55

Bridgend Schools 5

Next up in the Dewar Shield were Bridgend Schools. Will Hardy opened the scoring with a lovely try converted by Jamie Howells, further tries soon followed.

Aled Rees powered over in the corner, Benji Williams, Iestyn Galton and Evan Lloyd all scored a brace.

Galton’s first try was a gem, which started with Tristan Thomas who caught the Bridgend restart, popped the ball to Evan Lloyd who swiftly passed to Iestyn who ran the try in from just inside the Vale half.

Rhys Gentles rounded off the scoring with a well taken try late in the game.

Vale Schools 25

Swansea Schools 10

On Friday, March 17, in torrential rain Vale Schools played Swansea Schools.

Swansea opened the scoring with an early try and then the Vale came back with a try from Will Hardy, another from Aled Rees increased the lead.

A third try from Iestyn Galton with a conversion from Jamie Howells increased the Vale lead to 17 – 5.

Swansea then came back with a lovely try, the Swansea fly half chipped the ball over the Vale defence gathered his own kick and scored.

From the restart the Vale pressured the Swansea line, a penalty was awarded and despite the awful wind, rain and acute angle Howells sent the ball soaring between the uprights.

The second half saw the Vale repeatedly attack the Swansea line, dogged defence from Swansea kept them out until Christian Brooke powered over for the Vale’s final try.

Despite the abysmal conditions the standard of rugby played was a credit to both teams.

This win leaves the Vale in second place in the table with a further two games to play, the first this Friday, March 24, away at Pontypool. The final league match will be the following week away against league leaders Rhondda Schools.

As always many thanks to the parents and coaches for their constant support, thanks also to the team's sponsors Apricot Online, thanks also to Edryd Wyn Williams of Swansea Schools for the photographs.

You can follow the teams further progress in the competition on twitter @ValeSchoolsU15