Merthyr 7’s 18th August 2012
In the first competitive competition of the season Wanderers Youth took the Gold in the Annual Gerwyn LLoyd 7s.
With a squad of just ten players- two walking wounded, a squad made up of three first year youth two second year youth and five third year youth the Wands were the smallest squad size of the completion. With limited options for substitutions the depleted squad had to dig deep to play and win every round of the competition.
With an inspired change in tactics the squad made all their calls in Welsh- this confused the opposition as well as coaches for the day Stuart Campbell and Chris Dowell-Bennett.
Led by Captain Zac Deere, the Wands played by far the better sevens, both defence and attack were at times a joy to watch if you’re a fan of the sevens game
Having beat Merthyr B, Mountain Ash and Bargoed in the group stages the Wands faced a determined Abercynon in the Semi’s despite being behind 5-0 close to half time the determination and skill of the squad prevailed wining 17-5 at final whistle.
The final was set for Wands to take on Merthyr A in their home tournament and again the Wands conceded first blood, the game was neck and next up to the last three minutes 19-19, then the better sevens skills came to the fore and Wands determined attack resulted in two further try’s and outstanding defence by young Lewis Allen kept Merthyr out with the final score being 29-19 to the Wands.
The whole squad are to be congratulated led by Player of the Tournament (voted by the match officials) Zac Deere.
Special mention must be made of the three first year boys Artie, Lewis and Dan and top try scorer Arran Reid (second year) whose out and out pace was a joy to watch. This was a real mixture of experience and youth- the seasoned youth players Einan Scott, Teirnan Scott, Tom Perry, Joel Bevis and Zac Deere mixed with the enthusiastic younger players epitomised what youth rugby is all about.
Group
Wands 41-0 Merthyr B
Wands 24-5 Mountain Ash
Wands 20-10 Bargoed
Wands 17-5 Abercynon Semi Final
Wands 29-19 Merthyr A Final.
