Welsh language schools battle for final place
14th of May 2012
An all Welsh speaking side is guaranteed a place in the National Carnegie Champions Schools Rugby League Year 10 Final at Odsal Stadium on Thursday August 23.
This is after both the Welsh speaking schools of Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Ystalyfera and Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni have made it through to the semi-finals, where they have been drawn against each other.
This game will be played at The Gnoll in Neath this Thursday 17th May (kick-off 2pm) and will double up as the Welsh Year 10 Regional Final as that encounter was recently postponed due to inclement weather.
The match is a repeat of last year's Year 9 Final where the two sides became famous for playing in the first ever game between two all Welsh speaking sides. Ystalyfera won 30-28 (pictured above), that game was covered by S4C.
Both schools qualified for the national rounds for being this year's Welsh finalists and they have stormed through the qualifiers beating their English opponents.
In Round 1 of the nationals, Cwm Rhymni beat Hinchley Wood of London 50-6 before going in to claim the massive scalp of Rose Bridge School of Wigan 30-22.
Meanwhile, Ystalyfera beat Brentwood County High School of London 26-22 before easily overcoming northern opponents Lawnswood of Leeds 32-20.
The semi-final match is part of a triple header at The Gnoll with the Welsh Year 8 Final between Pencoed and St Josephs of Newport kicking off at 11.15am before the Welsh Year 7 Final, coincidentally between Ystalyfera and Cwm Rhymni, takes place at 12.30pm.
Wales Rugby League's Development Manager Mark Jones said: "This is going to be a fantastic event for Rugby League in Wales and we are proud that not only will we have a Welsh school in the Final of the Year 10 Carnegie Champions Schools but a Welsh speaking school side who play and direct their matches in Welsh.
"The Rugby Football League will be attending and will be bringing the Challenge Cup, which will be available for photo opportunities and Daioni will also be there presenting trophies and giving out their flavoured milk products.
"Good luck to both sides and to the sides in the Year 7 and Year 8 Welsh Finals that are also being played that day.
"We look forward to seeing as many spectators at The Gnoll as possible to watch this historic semi-final."
Admission to the whole day costs £3 for adults and is free for children aged 16 and under.
Year 8 - Pencoed vs St Josephs (Newport) - Kick-Off – 11.15am
Year 7 - Ystalyfera vs Cwm Rhymni - Kick-Off – 12.30am
Year 10 Welsh Final and National Semi-Final - Ystalyfera vs Cwm Rhymni - Kick Off – 2pm
This is after both the Welsh speaking schools of Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Ystalyfera and Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni have made it through to the semi-finals, where they have been drawn against each other.
This game will be played at The Gnoll in Neath this Thursday 17th May (kick-off 2pm) and will double up as the Welsh Year 10 Regional Final as that encounter was recently postponed due to inclement weather.
The match is a repeat of last year's Year 9 Final where the two sides became famous for playing in the first ever game between two all Welsh speaking sides. Ystalyfera won 30-28 (pictured above), that game was covered by S4C.
Both schools qualified for the national rounds for being this year's Welsh finalists and they have stormed through the qualifiers beating their English opponents.
In Round 1 of the nationals, Cwm Rhymni beat Hinchley Wood of London 50-6 before going in to claim the massive scalp of Rose Bridge School of Wigan 30-22.
Meanwhile, Ystalyfera beat Brentwood County High School of London 26-22 before easily overcoming northern opponents Lawnswood of Leeds 32-20.
The semi-final match is part of a triple header at The Gnoll with the Welsh Year 8 Final between Pencoed and St Josephs of Newport kicking off at 11.15am before the Welsh Year 7 Final, coincidentally between Ystalyfera and Cwm Rhymni, takes place at 12.30pm.
Wales Rugby League's Development Manager Mark Jones said: "This is going to be a fantastic event for Rugby League in Wales and we are proud that not only will we have a Welsh school in the Final of the Year 10 Carnegie Champions Schools but a Welsh speaking school side who play and direct their matches in Welsh.
"The Rugby Football League will be attending and will be bringing the Challenge Cup, which will be available for photo opportunities and Daioni will also be there presenting trophies and giving out their flavoured milk products.
"Good luck to both sides and to the sides in the Year 7 and Year 8 Welsh Finals that are also being played that day.
"We look forward to seeing as many spectators at The Gnoll as possible to watch this historic semi-final."
Admission to the whole day costs £3 for adults and is free for children aged 16 and under.
Year 8 - Pencoed vs St Josephs (Newport) - Kick-Off – 11.15am
Year 7 - Ystalyfera vs Cwm Rhymni - Kick-Off – 12.30am
Year 10 Welsh Final and National Semi-Final - Ystalyfera vs Cwm Rhymni - Kick Off – 2pm
