We made our first ever visit to the Lextan Gnoll, home of Neath RFC, on Saturday, 3 August 2024 to photograph the Wales Rugby League Under 14 Origin Series game between West Wales and East Wales.
West Wales secured the WRL U14 Origin Series title after a dramatic 22-22 draw against East Wales at The Gnoll. This result, combined with a previous win and draw earlier in the season, ensured West Wales emerged victorious in the series.
The match began with West Wales taking an early lead as Lewis Rees crossed under the posts just four minutes in, with Evan Brayley successfully converting. However, East Wales responded on the quarter-hour mark with a try from Max Phillips in the corner, converted by Rhys Wood.
East Wales then surged ahead when Noah Johnson dived over, and Wood added the extras, making it 12-6 to East at half-time.
West Wales quickly equalised after the break, with Zac Nottingham breaking through the back-line to score, and Brayley converting to level the scores. East Wales reclaimed the lead 15 minutes from time with a try from Kelyn Jude-Hobbs, converted again by Wood.
Immediately after the kick-off, Finley Hook sprinted 50 metres to extend East’s lead, though Wood was unable to convert from the touchline.
West Wales refused to give up, and Charlie Noakes powered through to score, though Brayley missed the conversion. In a thrilling conclusion, Ceirion Emment-Jones broke through the East Wales defence and sprinted 30 metres to score. Brayley converted, ensuring the match ended in a 22-22 draw.
This final scoreline meant that West Wales retained their lead in the series, securing the WRL U14 Origin Series title in a nail-biting finish.
You can browse the complete West Wales v East Wales – Wales Rugby League Under 14 Origin Series match image gallery our dedicated photography website.
West Wales
1. Riley Davies (Cynon Valley Cavaliers)
2. Jacob Maund (Bridgend Blue Bulls)
3. Ceirion Emment-Jones (Bridgend Blue Bulls)
4. Owen Prince (Bridgend Blue Bulls)
5. Ieuan Thomas (Bridgend Blue Bulls)
6. Evan Brayley (Bridgend Blue Bulls)
7. Ruben Main (Rhondda Outlaws)
8. Charlie Noakes (Bridgend Blue Bulls)
9. Zac Nottingham (Bridgend Blue Bulls)
10. Finn Walsh (Swansea Rams)
11. Lewis Rees (Bridgend Blue Bulls)
12. Ellis McGregor (Cynon Valley Cavaliers)
13. Charlie Eatly (Bridgend Blue Bulls, captain)
Substitutes:
14. Samuel Evans (Rhondda Outlaws)
15. Harrison Dyke (Aberavon Fighting Irish)
16. Jac Murphy (Bridgend Blue Bulls)
17. Kal-El Williams-Daniels (Bridgend Blue Bulls)
18. Iestyn Ede (Rhondda Outlaws)
19. Jacob Broadley (Bridgend Blue Bulls)
20. Charlie Evans (Bridgend Blue Bulls)
East Wales
1. Ollie Mann (Cardiff Blue Dragons)
2. Finley Hook (Aber Valley Wolves)
3. Miles Plummer (Aber Valley Wolves)
4. Jake Leighton (Torfaen Tigers)
5. Max Phillips (Cardiff Blue Dragons)
6. Kelyn Jude-Hobbs (Torfaen Tigers)
7. Rhys Wood (Aber Valley Wolves, captain)
8. Teifi Morgan Jones (Aber Valley Wolves)
9. Mason Plummer (Aber Valley Wolves)
10. Theo Patterson-Phillips (Aber Valley Wolves)
11. Connor Hawkey (Cardiff Blue Dragons)
12. Drew Foley (Cardiff Blue Dragons)
13. Noah Johnson (Aber Valley Wolves)
Substitutes:
14. Oisin Knowles (Aber Valley Wolves)
15. Morgan Jones (Torfaen Tigers)
16. Niall Mruk (Torfaen Tigers)
17. Noah Williams (Aber Valley Wolves)
18. Efan Crane (Aber Valley Wolves)
19. Roman Jones (Torfaen Tigers)
20. Harri Smith (Aber Valley Wolves)
Match Referee: Craig Davies
