Talk about doing the double... Nanty lift cups for football and rugby

A sports team has solved the age-old schoolboy headache of choosing between rugby and football – by storming to victory in cup finals for both sports.

Nantyffyllon RFC’s Under-16s team made history for the Maesteg club after they trounced the opposition to win the Ospreys Rugby Cup before the same set of players took to the football pitch at the Afan Lido ground just days later to bring home the Boys and Girls Club of Wales Association cup.

Club chairman Terry Boast said he believes winning such a cup double is “unheard of” and said his boys are rightfully “on cloud nine” following the impressive victories.

Mr Boast, whose son Ross was among the talented team, said: “It’s totally unique, I don’t think it’s ever been done before. It’s a fantastic achievement for the boys.

“For them to be the best in the whole of the Ospreys region, and then to beat every single boys club in Wales to be named the best there too, is just unbelievable.

“The talent they have as a team is really unique – to do both sports, and do it well, is something else.”

The team, coached by Ryan Davies, Stuart Powell and Paul White, was made up of Elliot Jenkins, Liam Hill, Declan Powell, Kieron Griffiths, Matthew Davies, rugby captain Callum Davies, Tom Braund, Ross Boast, Jack Arthur, Liam Standing, Callum Powell, football captain Jack Page, Ben Davies, Garin Loughor, Iwan Irranca Davies, Jared Davies, Jordan Harris, Conor Williams, Ethan White, Hywel Lewis and Corey Lewis.

The boys were bolstered for the football match by players from the under-15s team – Conor Williams, Morgan Williams, Lewis Miles and Jack Deer.

And the double feat was even more remarkable given that, as a traditional rugby club, football training sessions don’t even take place.

“We’ve never had a training session for the football,” added Mr Boast, who also doubles up as the team’s football coach.

“We are a rugby club, but we entered the boys club football competition last year and lost out in the final, so we thought we’d see if we could go one better this year.

“It’s a one-off competition, we don’t play in the league. Even our warm-ups are rugby drills.

“The team we beat in the final of the football cup haven’t lost a game yet, so on top of the rugby win, it was just a crazy atmosphere. The boys are all on cloud nine.”

The under-16s team’s run of success began on Sunday, May 18, when they beat Neath Athletic 26-17 in a spectacular game of rugby.

Then on Tuesday evening they played a fast-paced and skillful match at the Afan Lido ground against a top-notch Tredegar team – which included Wales players – coming out on top as 2-1 winners.

The U-16s team at Nantyffyllon RFC pictured after winning the Boys and Girls Club of Wales Football Cup

 

And proving that the team really does boast the best of the best, a number of the squad took part in the matches just days after taking their respective Saturday football teams to victory in two football league deciders.

A number of players played their part in catapulting Croeserw to victory in the Port Talbot league, while others, who play for Maesteg Park, claimed the Bridgend League.

“This really has been the most successful year for the club and for the team.” added Mr Boast.

Huw Irranca Davies MP, whose son Iwan was also one of the super Nanty RFC squad, added: “This is an amazing group of young men, with real individual talent, who’ve built their success on a powerful team ethic.

“They play for each other, lift each other, and never take a step back.

“I know that all the parents and supporters would want to thank Nanty RFC for the way they’ve supported and nurtured our boys.

“We’re over-the-moon for the boys, and for the club and coaches, too.”

Article source: http://www.express.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/477487/Brown-injury-boost-for-England

Talk about doing the double... Nanty lift cups for football and rugby