Dragons Academy ace Joe Westwood was the hero as Coleg Gwent secured a famous 14-8 victory over Coleg Y Cymoedd to win the Welsh Schools and Colleges League final on Tuesday evening.
With Coleg Gwent trailing with six minutes to go up stepped Westwood with a terrific penalty from 45 metres before sealing the title with a well-taken drop goal in difficult conditions at Sardis Road.
Coleg Y Cymoedd dominated most of the game but couldn’t turn territory and possession into point. The defending champions controlled the first quarter of the game as they built pressure on the opposition try line.
A last-ditch tackle from Joe Cowell kept them at bay but they took an early lead with a straightforward penalty from Tyler Morris.
They came close to scoring for a second time when Ryan Jenkins broke through the Coleg Gwent defence before galloping up to the 22. But he was eventually stopped in his tracks and the ball was turned over.
For all Cymoedd’s pressure Coleg Gwent levelled the scores through the boot of Westwood.
Coleg Y Cymoedd stuck at the stroke of half-time when wing Cavan Davies took a high ball before showing terrific pace to run in unopposed from 50 metres out as the led 8-3 at the interval.
Coleg Gwent reminded the defending champions they were still in the game with a scything 45 metres run from full back Dylan Edwards.
The full-back chipped ahead and Cymoedd were forced to give away a five-metre scrum. After a period of sustained pressure, giant second-row Joe Peard – who is also part of the Dragons Academy - powered his way over from short range after a well-worked driving lineout to level the scores.
Momentum was now on Coleg Gwent’s side and Westwood kicked a magnificent penalty from 40 metres out to put his side into the lead.
Just two minutes later Westwood put his side further ahead with a difficult drop goal from 35 metres out to put his side six points ahead.
In a dramatic finish Coleg Y Cymoedd threw the kitchen sink at Gwent and came mightily close to defending their crown when they were held up over the line as Coleg Gwent held on to secure a famous victory for Gwent.
