Young stars to shine (From South Wales Guardian)

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Young stars to shine

10:17am Wednesday 18th June 2008

Friends of Maesydderwen Comprehensive School, Ystradgynlais, hosted their annual sports evening for their feeder schools recently with the traditional netball and sevens rugby on offer.

Abercraf, Y Wern, Penrhos, Cynlais, Pen-y-cae, Glanrhyd, Ynysgedwyn and Cwmtwrch and Pen-y-Cae contested a tight tournament with some impressive skills and determination from the youngsters.

The early stages brought great drama but Cwmtwrch and Cynlais pushed their way into the final.

In a closely fought affair, a significant double from Cynlais' Danielle Allen proved the major factor.

Cwmtwrch did score through Leighton Thomas but Cynlais pressed further and sealed things with a Stacey Griffiths goal. The Cynlais girls ran out victors with three goals to one.

The rugby was contested by Glanrhyd, Cynlais, Penrhos, Y Wern, Ynysgedwyn and the Barbarians. The Barbarians being made up from the smaller feeder schools and ensured maximum participation from all the areas under 11s.

As with the netball, the early contest had a lot of excitement with some nail-biting moments for the supporters.

The high drama brought the much fancied and talented Ynyscedwyn through to the final against the young braves of Glanrhyd.

Neither side disappointed in the final with both setting thier sights on the silverware, but given the message to enjoy the experience.

Glanrhyd opened the scoring through flying winger William Johnson, who showed great vision in the timing of his interception.

Glanrhyd, who had defied all odds to reach the final, proved that they were a force to be reckoned with as their defence held out and seemed to control the game until the pocket rocket Ifan Hopkins showed great vision to cross over in the corner and level the scores.

Ynyscedwyn managed to pull away in the second half with a brace of tries from Carwyn Howells, who showed great footwork and balance to beat the brave Glanrhyd defence.

The victory was sealed for the Welsh school when skilful captain Iwan Evans crossed over for the decisive try. Glanrhyd continued to battle on and showed great heart to score a consolation try through Joseff Edwards.

At the end of both tournaments, Ysgol Maesydderwen's headmistress Mrs Speedy presented the shields to the winners.

The tournament was a massive success and showed evidence of great sporting potential in the area.

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