Wednesday 10 October 2012 s
aw Rydal Penrhos’ 1st XV welcome St Anselm’s College for round 3 of the Daily Mail U18 Cup Knockout stages in what promised to be a thrilling match.
Rydal Penrhos started strongly with a period of good possession and territory for the first five minutes of the game, however this was wasted when, in the opposition 22, the 1st XV lost the ball resulting with St Anselm’s running the length of the field to score under the post.
Two further tries in the first half and one early in the second half suggests that by the time the visitors had racked up a 22 point lead they were home and dry. However, with some determined individual performances, long periods of possession and some bold decisions made from deep in the 1st XV’s own half, the team ran in three tries, through Ashley Morgan, Divine Shanganya and Rhodri Mayor, to bring the score to 17 – 22 with five minutes to go.
With the visitors clearly tired, having defended for much of the second half, another attack from deep saw a wave of players supporting a last ditch attempt to get another vital try. Matthew Griffiths scored the try to level the scores which then had to be converted; the rules of the competition stating that in the event of tries and goals being level at the end of normal play (and with no extra time playable) otherwise the “away” team progress into the next round.
Rydal Penrhos’ team captain, Rhodri Mayor stepped up and put the ball right through the centre of the posts to see the team go into the next round and be deservedly rewarded for an outstanding second half performance.
The 1st XV will now face Wirral Grammar School on Wednesday 7 November in the fourth round of the knockout stages.