After qualifying along with STP as one of the two top Pembrokeshire teams, Ysgol y Preseli lifted the U16s Cup in a thrilling final at Parc y Scarlets last week.

Having beaten Pencoed (H), Ysgol y Strade (A), Glantaf (neutral venue) before meeting Ysgol Gyfun Ystalyfera in the final. Since 2006, Preseli have reached four national rugby cup final finals with different teams at U14, U16 and U18, but until this year, the school had never won.

Ystalyfera started well by putting Preseli under pressure from the kick off, but after some solid defensive work, Preseli turned the tables and earned territory into the opposition's own quarter.

An excellent scrum by Preseli forced pressure on the defending halfbacks, and a dropped pass by the outside half was picked by Preseli captain and open side flanker, Joey Mathias, who proceeded to sidestep his way over the line for the opening try.

The second try came from the restart as Preseli spread the ball wide, winning five phases in quick succession before full back and man of the match, Callum Williams, ran 50m to score his first of three tries.

Preseli's third try was a team effort, and a patient build up was finished off by loose head prop Josh Bridge. A successful conversion by Ilan Phillips followed.

Preseli's fourth try came just before the interval, and it was a fantastic individual effort by Callum Williams who raced 80m to score the try of the match. Another successful conversion by Phillips gave Preseli a 24-0 lead at half-time.

Ystalyfera started strongly in the second half but were met with a stubborn Preseli defence that kept them out. Preseli kept playing with width and pace, and were rewarded with a fifth try, and a third for Williams, which Phillips duly converted, which made the score 31-0 with 20 minutes left on the clock.

Ystalyfera never gave in and came back strongly, and scored a well worked try in the corner, which was unconverted. Preseli dominated possession and territory during the final 20 minutes, and enjoyed their first ever national cup victory by 31-5.

This was very much a team effort and a pretty much faultless effort by Preseli as they dominated every aspect of play. Forwards Iwan Twigg, Josh Bridge, and Dafydd Gibby carried the ball effectively and halfbacks Stephen Varney and Ilan Phillips controlled the game with great maturity.

Captain Joey Mathias led the team by example and full back Callum Williams played the game of his life. One player who was unfortunately unable to play for Preseli in the final was full back Dean James, who is to be congratulated on his selection for the initial Welsh U16s squad. Sadly for Dean, he was one of six players who were later cut from the squad, but his contribution to the team's success, especially in the semi final, was immeasurable.

Squad: Josh Bridge, Rhydian Howells, Iwan Twigg, Dafydd Eynon, Rhys James, Tom Renny, Joseph Mathias (c), Dafydd Gibby, Stephen Varney, Ilan Phillips, Sion Vaughan, Rhun Phillips, Hedd Nicholas, Caleb Nicholas, Callum Williams, Sion Lloyd, Sam Edge, Jack Fussell, Steffan Rees, Bedwyr Owens, Ifan Davies, Ifan Rees, Isaac Hughes, Steffan Davies, Jamie Davies, Macsen Mather.