JUST a week after winning the Penallta Tournament, Cwmbran under-13s travelled to Monmouth RFC to take part in their annual Festival of Rugby.

Cwmbran’s first game was against Wolverhampton, who fielded a powerful team with some big players. Jordan Walters hooked like a demon winning several scrums against the head. Morgan Spence broke through from a five-metre scrum to put Cwmbran on the scoreboard. Cwmbran forwards drove Mathias Davies over for his first Cwmbran try to seal the win.

Cwmbran next played Gwernyfed who opened the scoring after Cwmbran mishandled in their own half. Will Jones made a great run through midfield, offloading to Lewis Bates to bring things level. More uncharacteristic mishandling by Cwmbran backs allowed Gwernyfed to score a second try.

Lewis Bates made a scorching run cross field to level the scores. A great run by Morgan Spence and offload in the tackle to Lewis Bates who scored his hat trick and sealed the win.

Cwmbran’s final pool game was against Ross-on-Wye. Cwmbran went straight on the attack with Lewis Bates scoring from the kickoff. Speedster Dylan Matthews zigzagged his way down the left wing to score before Ross caught Cwmbran defence napping to pull one back.

Cwmbran backs put together a good attacking move putting Lewis Bates over before poor Cwmbran tackling allowed Ross to score another try. Joel Doughty made a break down the left wing and when he was brought down Mathias Davies was there in support to power through the final five metres to score. Joel Doughty caught the restart kick and ran straight through the centre to score.

Dan Worwood opened up the defence with a powerful run and offloaded to Dylan Matthews to make it an emphatic win for Cwmbran.

Cwmbran played the final against NHSOB in what was a very physical game. Cwmbran forwards were superb and the backs rock solid in defence. Joel Doughty kicked for a five-metre attacking lineout from a penalty, Cwmbran securing the ball and passing out to Morgan Spence who zipped through the defence for the only try of the game.

Cwmbran won the Monmouth Festival under-13s cup, the team having won under-12s and under-11s in previous years.

Cwmbran players: Tommy Maclean, Jordan Walters, Dylan Matthews, Mathias Davies, Ben Pilot, Ieuan Walker, Connor Bollen, Lewis Hughes-Evans, Tomas Alcock, Will Jones, Joel Doughty, Jordan Maynard, Lewis Bates, Jack Colcombe, Morgan Spence, Evan Skuse, Ben Taylor, and Dan Worwood.