Talented stars hit the headlines
Dan Owen came away with the Academy Player of the Year accolade from RGC’s end of season Presentation Evening.
The 17-year-old has enjoyed a memorable campaign for the Gogs, which has seen him turn out for Mark Jones’ side on a number of occasions during their highly successful first season in the Principality Premiership.
He has also gained recognition for his stellar play on the international stage, winning four Wales U18 caps after impressing officials during the assessment process.
Owen has been a member of the Rydal Penrhos Rugby Academy, which is run in partnership with RGC and the Welsh Rugby Union, something that has produced a plethora of internationals including Efan Jones and Danny Cross.
A host of former pupils have also made a significant contribution to the Gogs’ success this term, which saw them reach the Premier ship Playoffs and win the WRU National Cup for the first time in their history.
Mr Boyd, said: “Dan has enjoyed an exceptional for school, club and country, and he has a very bright future in the game if he continues to develop at his current rate."
Staff took the spoils with a 5-2 success in a match-play event vs pupils.
The “Rydal Cup” made a welcome return to the calendar on Friday, May 12, with golfers taking to the picturesque North Wales Golf Club course in Llandudno in what were very testing conditions throughout.
Despite the eventual result it was the pupils who got up to a good start courtesy of Leo Ludwig and Jonas Lucas Nuelle, who overcame Gareth Robinson and Mike Leach 3 and 2 to secure the first point.
The staff responded very well courtesy of Riven Earle and Bryn Jones, who claimed a 3 and 2 triumph over Jacob Cousins and George Smith-Edwards, while Golf co-ordinator Ian Richardson and Darren Baker notched a one-hole win over Welsh international Reuben Bather and Adrian Lewis.
Things then went the way of the academy stars once again when Niall Richardson and Richard Wolfendale produced a fine display to beat Rev’d Nick Sissons and Tim Cashell 4 and 2, but order was restored when Sally Harding and Dawn Jones came away from their contest with Emely Stern and Celina Wiedenmann with a 3 and 2 success.
The cup was sealed thanks to a dramatic win for John Murphy and Lee Williams, who downed Charley Simpson and Prompt Utenpattanun by a solitary hole.
German pairing Louisa Weber and Josh Schultz were unable to and fell to a 2 and 1 defeat to staff members Phil Hilton and Tony Scarborough to conclude a highly competitive day of action.
No fewer than four pupils will represent Eryri at the Welsh Schools’ Athletics Association Championships, which will be held next month.
The quartet booked their place at the national showcase thanks to standout efforts at the regional heat in Bangor, with Lower Sixth pupil Mollie Smithfield produced another memorable effort to come away with the 800 metres crows.
She will be joined at the event by Year 9 pupil Zach Speakman, who will test his skills against the best high jumpers in the country after a dominant display which saw him clear 1.60 metres.
Kieron McNamara comfortably won the Javelin event to qualify, while sprint king Sean Hughes will also be representing Eryri after finish a close second in the 100 metre sprint race.
Unfortunate to miss out was Elinor Davies, who came second in both the 100 and 200 metres, while Emily Madden came fourth in the highly competitive long jump.
Mr Boyd, said: “This was a fantastic result and full credit goes to all four of our pupils that have qualified for the national championships.
“They all worked incredibly hard in the lead-up to the regional event, and I am delighted that this has been reflected in their overall results.
“Special mention goes to Elinor, who can count herself extremely unlucky to be missing out after two very strong performances.”
Three of our rugby stars were involved with representative and regional clubs and managed to come away with silverware after once again impressing on the big stage.
Head Boy and RGC U18 star Adam Sabri was part of the Warriors 7s squad that emerged victorious from the high-profile Hartpury Sevens tournament, with the pacey back turning in a number of eye-catching efforts to lead his side to the title.
The 18-year-old was in sensational form throughout the tournament which was rewarded with a plethora of tries, with the Warriors overcoming Navy 21-17 in a thrilling final to secure the crown.
There was further success in the form of Lower Sixth pupil Harry Dean, who was part of the Chester side that won the Cheshire Cup after a convincing win over Caldy.
The boarding pupil continued his superb campaign with another committed and dominant display, which contributed significantly to their triumph.
We almost secured a notable treble after ex-RGC U18 forward Euan Humphries turned out for Colwyn Bay’s senior side, who were on the wrong end of a narrow final defeat to Caernarfon in-front of a packed Parc Eirias crowd.
Mr Boyd, said: “These exit routes are crucial to our young athletes in terms of their life-long participation.
“It has been a thriving year for the sports department here at Rydal Penrhos in a multitude of areas, and all examples of club links and representative opportunities have been working exceptionally well.”