NEW Panteg under-16s ran out comfortable winners in the final of the Gwent District Cup Plate, defeating Garndiffaith 29-5.
The local rivals met at the Whiteheads Sports and Social Club at Newport, with both sides searching for the early opportunity to score.
However, New Panteg were able to find some of the form which has resulted in the side's best season together - a sleek move along the backline set up Rhys Marchant to go over for the first try of the game, converted by Jamie Tibbs.
The game then entered a scrappy period with New Panteg giving away a host of unnecessary penalties. And soon after Garndiffaith took advantage of the ill discipline and went over for a pushover try.
New Panteg were the more adventurous attacking team but struggled to execute much of the territory and possession they had won, until just on the stroke of half time Gil Dudson made a run to the left, bringing the half time score to 12-5.
Garn were down to 14 men for the second half, having sustained an injury and lacking any replacements. New Panteg's own fresh legs, meanwhile, were a telling factor. Soon the pressure began to tell with some strong forward drives making the hard yards, resulting in a pushover try for New Panteg with Rhys Hosking coming up with the ball.
Another back move saw centre Gil Dudson go over for his second of the match to take the score to 24-5 before, fittingly, the final try came from captain Tibbs.
Coaches Jon Tibbs and Craig Jones said: "The result was a fitting end not only to a very successful season but to the end of a vastly improved squad and team over the last three seasons. The boys deserve it."
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