First XV win Cheshire Cup
Tawanda Harris on the attack
The senior squad claimed the Cheshire Plate after defeating The Grange School 43-5 thanks to a blistering first half display.
Sean Hughes touched down for the first score of the game in typically stylish fashion on seven minutes, with the boot of Nick Dundee adding the extras.
Things got even better when Dan Owen crossed the white wash following fine approach play from Tawanda Harris. Dundee adding the conversion.
Sean Hughes crosses the white wash
The Grange got back into the game with a fast-break try midway through the half, but normal service was resumed thanks to a try from skipper Adam Sabri, who took his individual tally to over 100 points in what has been an immense campaign from the RGC Academy star.
This spurred them further, with Owen and Hughes both notching their second tries of the afternoon to head into the break with a comfortable advantage.
The same pattern of play emerged after the interval, with Owen producing another barnstorming run to complete his hat-trick.
Yet another well-worked try rounded off the scoring, with Dundee scoring under the posts after a blistering run from Alex Benfield to secure the plate.
Mr Boyd, said: “You would be hard pushed to find a better 40' of Rydal Penrhos rugby than the way we played at the start of this match.
“The most pleasing parts of the game were our willingness to attack both from deep and turnover ball and how we varied our play at the line out including a try from a rolling maul.
“Some of the play was really exciting to watch, the back row worked hard all day and the running lines of Dan and Euan Humphreys were quite superb."
Upper sixth pupils Adam Sabri and Dan Owen, together with Year 12’s Henry Davies, were part of the Wales East camp as the selection process for Wales U18 fixtures next spring got underway.
The young hopefuls joined around 40 of the best players in the country from RGC, Scarlets and Ospreys at Parc Y Scarlets.
This will be the first in a series of camps for the our Rugby Academy stars, which is run in partnership with the Gogs and the Welsh Rugby Union.
Talented forward Owen has made huge strides this season which has resulted in a number of senior appearances for Principality Premiership surprise package RGC this season.
Sabri and Davies have also caught the eye as part of the U18 set-up, which saw the pair shine at the Fosters 7s and Conwy International Festival.
Director of Sport Allen Boyd, said: “This is the first step on the route to a possible national squad selection, and we are confident that Adam, Dan and Henry can make a huge impact.
“All have made significant contributions to RGC under 18s’ recent success at a number of high-profile tournaments, and this experience is sure to stand them in good stead as they look to make the leap to the national stage.
“We have a rich tradition of international rugby stars here at Rydal Penrhos, with Efan Jones and Danny Cross among the most recent, and we wish all three the very best of luck as they look to add to our fine tradition.”
Jack Jones and Sean Hughes, both Year 11 pupils at the school, are now part of RGC’s U16 squad after impressing staff at a recent trial at Parc Eirias on Wednesday, November 23.
They were invited on to the programme after catching the eye of player-coach Josh Leach, who was in attendance for Rydal Penrhos’ 54-0 NatWest Cup win over Hilbre High School.
Holywell native Hughes is described by Director of Sport Mr Boyd as “the fastest boy in school”, and scored a blistering try in the cup success.
Fifteen-year-old Jones, who hails from Glan Conwy, has been a part of the RGC West squad in the past and hopes to make a huge impact for the region to continue his development.
Mr Boyd, said: “This is also significant for us here at Rydal Penrhos as there has been no club involvement for either player, so it shows that what we are doing here with our young athletes is working.
“Our rugby academy partnership with RGC has brought great success in recent years, and we hope that Sean and Jack can add to this fine tradition in the coming years.”