Rugby union – Wales chance for ace Jake

Dec 12 2008 by Paul Wheelock, Flintshire Chronicle

A FLINTSHIRE starlet is one of seven Gogledd Cymru Under 16s aces in with a shot of making their national dream a reality.

Mold’s Jake Simm will travel with six of his team- mates to a training camp next month from which the Wales Under 16s squad will be chosen.

The 6ft 3in 13st second-row gets his chance after starring for Gogledd Cymru in the WRU Regional Championships against the Ospreys, Scarlets, Dragons and Cardiff Blues North and South.

John Stubbs, Gogledd Cymru Under 16s boss, said: “This is great news for the boys as it is the final stepping stone to national honours, which is every rugby player’s dream.

“The boys selected will acknowledge the part that all our squad players and coaches have played in getting them the recognition by playing successfully in the highly-competitive WRU age grade championships.

“It is also great news for all aspiring North Wales youngsters, in as that with effort and commitment there is a pathway to national honours. We wish the boys well.”

The news of 16-year-old Jake’s selection comes shortly after another Mold product, the Ospreys’ James King, was called into the Wales U20s training squad.

Frozen pitches meant the majority of matches in Mold’s mini section were called off on Sunday – but the Under 7s and U8s got their games against Ruthin on by making use of their club’s Astroturf surface.

The U7s, inspired by man-of-the-match Ieuan Evans, won 9-3 and 10-6 through eight tremendous touchdowns from William Roberts, a fabulous five from Oliver Jones, three from Seth Geary, two from Ifan Ryan and one from Alun Evans.

The U8s lost their first contest 9-8 in spite of tries from Tom Haliday (2), Harry Taylor, Tom James, Ellis Cannon, Charlie Prebble, James Brown and Ben Beaver, but bounced back in the second to win 10-6 through Tom James (4), Macsen Evans (2), Harry, Ellis, Daniel Williamson and MoM Charlie.