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Cardiff Tour 2007
Colwyn Bay Mermaids at the WWRU National Junior 7s
Tournament
24th June 2007
The Mermaids travelled to Llandovery RFC to take
part in their first ever 7 a side games on the second day of their end of season
tour. Colwyn Bay was the only North Wales club represented with both U14 and U17
teams competing.
The girls had never played 7s before and indeed
only had 2 training sessions before the day but they did Colwyn Bay RFC and
North Wales proud with an outstanding display of skill and tenacity (despite
having very little sleep in Cardiff the night before – but that’s another
story…).
The U14s played 4 games in total and won 2, lost
2. They played against: Whitland (the eventual tournament winners), Radyr
School, Newport A and Cynon Valley. Tries were scored by: Gwen Harries – 8 tries
and 1 conversion, Ellie Evans – 3 tries, Kaya Harding – 2 tries and Kumari
Tilakawardane – 2 tries. During the day Gwen Harries, Ellie Evans and Kaya
Harding all stepped up to the captain’s role at some point while regular captain
Kumari briefly left the field of play. All three girls filled the role
admirably, leaving next season’s coach with a dilemma in choosing the new
captain.
It would be impossible to choose one outstanding
player as Player of the Day as all the Mermaids played some of the best rugby we
have ever seen from them so it was decided to award the honour to the whole team
– well done girls, you made us very proud today.
The U 17 competition was very strong, with teams
from Ebbw Vale, Neath, Cardiff, Whitland and Cynon Valley fielding many
experienced regional players. Of their five matches, Colwyn Bay won two, showing
great commitment and some superb skills by all the players, tries coming from
Abi Beards – 3, Yas Leung – 3, Emma Beaumont – 2, with Lois Evans and Gemma
Pearson scoring one each.
After the tournament there was an official
presentation ceremony for the tournament and also the league and national
awards. Colwyn Bay Mermaids were presented with trophies for being North Wales
champions at both U14 and U17 level. The U14 award was presented to Kumari
Tilakawardane in her last role as team captain and Emma Beaumont collected as
captain of the U 17’s. The North Wales players were also presented with a
memento for representing their region – at U14 level the players from Colwyn Bay
were: Kumari Tilakawardane, Ellie Evans, Gwen Harries, Kaya Harding, Amy Bird
and Ellie Roberts (Sophia Hathaway also represented North Wales but
unfortunately was unable to attend the ceremony).
At U 17 North Wales honours were given to: Emma
Beaumont, Abi Beards, Rebecca Gray and Issy Jones, who was also nominated as
Player of the Year but just pipped at the post by a Neath Athletic player. Louis
Tilakawardane, U14 Mermaids Coach, was also presented with an award for his role
in coaching the North Wales U14 squad. After the ceremony a very tired coach
load of players and various adults set off home, looking forward to competing
next year.
Cardiff Tour &
National Sevens
We came from the valleys where the grass is green
Were the cutest girlies you've ever seen
We tell no stories, we tell no tales
We are the Mermaids from North Wales
North Wales champs are we
Future Wales players to be
Standing tall in pink, blue and white
We are always up for a fight
Really good friends make us a great team
When were on the pitch were really mean
Stuck together through thick and thin
We are the Mermaids, you know were going to win
Over the season we have to say
a huge big thanks to Geoff, Louis, Jon and Ray
Ann and the Merm-Mums made it the best trip ever
Bring on next season 'Mermaids for ever!'
Jess, Kumari, Gemma: 2007
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