There were many fancied teams including the present cup holders St Mary’s RC so competition was fierce. Some excellent performances were noted as the elements did their best to run through all aspects of a spring day with pouring rain, hailstones, a fierce wind and blessedly welcome sunshine.
The Melin Homes festival was played in great spirits and some teams of note who performed heroically included St Woolos, Caerleon Lodge Hill, Eveswell and Ysgol Y Ffin who can all feel proud of the way they conducted themselves both on and off the field of play.
However it was the strong Durand and High Cross who were set to meet in one semi-final with St. Andrews pitched against Glan Usk in the other. So tight was the action that both ties went into extra time with eventual winners Durand and St Andrews making it to the regional final by a single try each.
Having already played four games Durand showed no signs of tiring and attacked the well experienced St Andrews team from the off. The lead changed hands many times and just as it looked as if this was another game destined for extra time the ‘Saints’ scored a decisive try which sees them qualify for the Tata Steel grand final in which they will play at Rodney Parade during the half time break at our final home match this season.
Once again both Janice and Mike were delighted with the skills that the children displayed, and by their attitudes in which they were determined to see the games out even during the coldest and wettest periods of play.
“I can’t wait for the final’ said a windswept Janice, who is most proud that she has trained both this year’s finalists through her Gateway sessions.
