...achieving excellence in guiding, developing and supporting our young athletes to becoming better people and better players!
COWBRIDGE COMPREHENSIVE
RUGBY ACADEMY
Another impressive victory for Cowbridge Academy
Bridgend College O - Cowbridge Academy 58
Cowbridge Rugby Academy travelled to Bridgend College this week and put on another impressive display of rugby running in 8 trys in total with a final score of 58 points to nil in favour of Cowbridge.
There were some real notable performances from Aled Ward, Scott Griffith, Cameron Gibbon and Elliot Jones. The Academy were also delighted to have Owen Lane available to play and he came on in the second half with an impressive display, ultimately resulting in two individual trys. The Academy played to their strengths and indeed taking into consideration the weather conditions, showed some superb handling skills during the match.
It was very pleasing to see eight trys run in, two by Harrison Stevens and one by Dan Bunney. Other trys were scored by Owen Lane taking two, Aled Ward taking 2 and Scott Griffith gaining 1 try. Cai Evans showed an impressive out of hand kicking display along with taking the opportunity of 5 conversions.
Cowbridge Academy entertain Coleg Cymoedd next week in a home fixture that see the Academy try to put right their loss in the recent away fixture against Cymoedd.
Academy Centre Selected for Blues Senior Side
Still taking his A Levels at Cowbridge Comprehensive Academy squad member Owen Lane was last week selected to play for Cardiff Blues senior side. Not only a proud moment for Owen and his family but for the whole squad at the Academy. Neil Thomas, head of PE at the school and a member of the coaching staff at the academy commented "this is superb for Owen, we are very proud to have been involved in his development , it just shows we can provide a real pathway to professional rugby within the region."
British Lion adds his weight to the support staff at the Academy
Ieaun Evans, a true legend of the game has agreed to support the Academy with expert post match analysis. Speaking about the announement Dai Griff said "I am truly delighted Ieaun has agreed to support the boys, his considerable knowledge of the game will really benefit our squad, we are so focused on player based development, this appointment really shows our committment to create the best and most professional acadeny we can".
Cowbridge 40 - Bridgend 8
The Cowbridge Comprehensive Rugby Academy entertained Bridgend College in the first round of fixtures in the National WRU College League Cup Competition, with Cowbridge taking the spoils with a 40 – 8 victory.
There were some notable performances from Harry Dobbs, Eddies Drake, Owain Thomas-Jenkins and Owain Ellis, the latter coming off in the second half with a fractured thumb! With several Year 12 boys selected for this tough physical encounter it was really pleasing to see Cai Evans play yet another vital role in the victory with a 100% kicking statistic.
The Academy travel north up the A470 on Wednesday 7th October to play Coleg Y Cymoedd. Kick off has been arranged for 2.30pm. Asked to comment Director of Rugby Dai Griffith said “it was great to get a good start to the competition but with respect to Bridgend they don’t offer the same physical test as Cymoedd will”, he went on to say “we have a great squad of boys who work hard for each other so I am expecting a good game of rugby next week.”
Coleg y Cymoedd 38 v Cowbridge Academy 22
Arguably the strongest side in this year’s cup competition Coleg y Cymoedd took the spoils of yesterday’s fixture with an impressive win over Cowbridge Academy of 38 points to 22.
Cymoedd starting the strongest scored 22 points in the first 20 minutes with some very impressive free flowing rugby, at which point Cowbridge Academy feared the worst in terms of the scoreline. However, showing their commitment and desire Cowbridge Academy came back strongly into the game, with a powerful individual try on the stroke of half time scored by Rhys Carre.
Regrouping with some choice words from the coaching team Cowbridge came out in the second half with a different approach which saw them have the majority of territory for the first 10 minutes of the second half. Unfortunately they lacked the clinical edge needed to increase their score. The situation was compounded by a further 16 points scored by Cymoedd mid-way through the second half.
Once again showing their resolution and determination late on in the game Cowbridge playing some excellent flowing rugby scored two tries via James Bennett and Cai Evans both converted by Cai leaving the score line at 38-22 on the final whistle.
Cowbridge Academy entertain Coleg Sir Gar next Tuesday, 13th October at Cowbridge Comprehensive School with a 2:30 k.o. This game is scheduled for a Tuesday as it is being televised live on S4C on line.
Yet more International selections
Wales Under 18’s have recently announced their squad and we are delighted at the news that Aled Ward, Harri Dobbs, Rhys Carre and Eddie Drake have all been selected for the forthcoming training camp. This is tremendous news for the academy and proves our program of rugby has the success required to produce regional and international players on a regular basis.
Aled Ward Harri Dobbs
Rhys Carre Eddie Drake
Asked to comment, Director of Rugby, Dai Griff said “I am delighted for the boys selected, it’s just reward for all the hard work they have put in during the last few months. To have the quality of player we have at the Academy and to get the recognition at the very top level just goes to show our rugby program must be doing something right”. He went on to say “not only do we have these 4 boys in the under 18’s but we also have Owen Lane currently training with the Wales Under 20’s. Anyone aspiring to play top flight rugby should seriously consider Cowbridge Academy particularly when you take into consideration the schools educational excellence”.
Owen Lane
Top of the League clash ends in a share of the spoils
Cowbridge 14 - Coleg y Cymoedd 14
Cowbridge Rugby Academy yesterday played host at Cardiff Arms Park to the mighty Coleg y Cymoedd, with the result being at 14 all draw.
Although the weather was particularly bad yesterday, there was some very good rugby played by both sides. Both entered into the spirit of the game and both offering a real physical challenge. The first half was a tactical affair with both sides producing some attractive running rugby, however, after 35 minutes the score was still 0-0.
In the second half, Cowbridge came out with more intent and ultimately within the first 4 minutes of the second half Cameron Gibbon crossed for a valuable try. Unfortunately, due to the strong winds Cai Evans was unable to slot the points. From the restart, Cymoedd showed their intention to get the score line back on even terms and did so after 55 minutes with an impressive try scored by winger Kieran Gay. Once again, due to the strong winds the Cymoedd outside half was unable to slot the points so the score remained 6-6. Now with their tales up, Cymoedd showed their physical ability by crossing 5 minutes later with a powerful try by Callum Bradbury. Ben Jones, the outside half was able to slot the points over, giving Cymoedd a lead of 14-6 with only 8 minutes remaining.
However, Cowbridge determined and resolute continued to press hard and eventually got the try required under the post scored by flanker, Scott (Grippa) Griffith. To the delight of all the squad and supporters Cai Evans then slotted the conversion to leave a score line of 14-14. This was then the final score of the match. This will leave an intriguing finish to the cup campaign with Cowbridge needing to finishing 2nd in the league to gain a home tie fixture in the playoffs due in April 2016.
Cowbridge travel away next week to play Coleg Sir Gar in Llanelli which will be another crunch match and an almost must win affair.
Sir Gar 24 – Cowbridge 14
Winning the toss, Cowbridge Academy’s Captain, Aled Ward elected to play against the wind in the first half and from kick off the Academy showed their intent in playing the style of rugby which was tactically sensible given the weather conditions.
There were some strong runs from Rhys Carre, Aled Ward, Owen Lane and Harry Dobbs. Pressing hard the academies defence proved difficult for Sir Gar to get out of their own 22 ultimately, with a Sir Gar mistake, Tom Lucas pounced on the ball quickly, was able to finish off a well-deserved try under the posts with Cai Evans taking the conversion to put Cowbridge Academy 8 points in the lead.
However, Sir Gar also using the conditions that they had in the first half wisely kept pinning Cowbridge back into their own 22 and eventually got the spoils of a push over try from a line out.
Some poor decision making, kicking out of hand and errors in giving away the ball easily meant that Sir Gar continued to press in the Cowbridge 22 until eventually being awarded a penalty try for a line out mall that was brought down illegally.
Cowbridge came out in the second half with the intent of playing with the conditions that they had. However, an early mistake meant that Sir Gar scored a try within the first couple of minutes in the second half. They then went on to score a penalty under the posts, due to further errors being made by Cowbridge Academy. Unfortunately this was the theme of the second half with Cowbrdge taking very little advantage of the conditions, and indeed playing far too much rugby in their own half. Finally Sir Gar scored a try in the last minute to make the score line 24-14.
Cowbridge Academy welcome Landovery College to the school next Wednesday, 2nd December.
Academy establish links to Ospreys Region
We are delighted to bring news of the selection of Scott Griffith & Cai Evans in this year's Ospreys Under 18's regional squad. Cai has already made his debut for the Ospreys, ironically playing against the Blues at Cardiff Arms Park when he was up against a number of his fellow Academy squad members who are in the Blue's squad. Cai certainly looked comfortable and put in a number of quality out of hand kicks including a cross kick that almost generated a try for his new side.
Scott Griffith also recently called into the Ospreys hopes to make his debut in a couple of weeks which could also be against his fellow Academy players when Ospreys meet the Blues in the return fixture.
Congratulations to both boys, lets hope we can continue to build our relationship with the Ospreys region.
Not wanting to turn down a photo opportunity, and continue to promote the Academy pathway to regional rugby some of the boys from this year's Blues Under 18's squad were happy to attend an early morning photo shoot. Pictured above (from front to back) is Cameron Gibbon, Owain Ellis, Harry Dobbs, Aled Ward and Rhys Carre, all of whom have already represented the region in recent fixtures against the Dragons and the Ospreys.
The Academy is delighted at the news that Aled Ward has been made Regional Captain for the next fixture which is against the Scarletts at Cardiff Arms Park. Asked to comment Dai Griffiths, Director of Cowbridge Rugby Academy said "I'm absolutely delighted for the boys, it just proves that we continue to support our players and provide them with a pathway to regional rugby". Missing out on the photo shoot in this years crop of selection were Eddie Drake and Tom Lucas (maybe early mornings arent for them! LOL).