A cracking match and excellent report from Jeff Jenkins CR Dinbych
Conwy Land Rover North Wales Intermediate Cup Semi Final
Dinbych 24 points Teirw Nant (Nant Conwy 2nds) 13 points
Current holders Dinbych reached this season's final of the North Wales Intermediate Cup with a hard earned victory over a youthful but highly motivated Nant unit, having to pull out all the stops to gain the verdict in an exciting and pulsating semi final before a very large and vociferous crowd.
Dinbych opened the scoring in the fourth minute when lock David Haydock went over for a try following a driving maul by the forwards from a short range line out with outside half Dan O'Sullivan adding the conversion points with a well judged kick from wide out. Nant soon regained their composure through the driving play of the forwards and clever running by the backs and keeping possession as they went through multiple phases of play. Dinbych in contrast failed to hold on to possession for any length of time and were second best at the breakdown where they were often turned over or conceded a stream of penalties. Despite their possession Nant failed to make any significant line breaks as they were met with a determined Dinbych defence with excellent aggressive tackling often forcing the attackers to concede ground. Nant however replied in the thirtieth minute when their backs attacked deep into the Dinbych 22 for the forwards to hammer away at the Dinbych line through their driving play with lock Meredydd Pyrs eventually forcing his way over for an unconverted try despite Dinbych's desperate defence. Nant then took the lead just before the interval when full back Gwion Jones kicked a penalty from wide out to edge them ahead by eight points to seven at the interval.
This lead was short lived however as Dinbych replied in the opening minutes of the second half when centre Tom Seddon broke down the narrow side from near half way to release left wing Kieran Bonar on a touchline run to cross in the corner. The Conwy Land Rover man of the match then rounded to touch down at the posts to leave an easy conversion for Dan O'Sullivan. Dinbych were now becoming increasingly dominant with their pack pressurising Nant in the scrums and gaining good possession from the lines out mainly through Gareth Beach which allowed their backs to launch dangerous attacks . They increased their lead when Nant conceded a penalty close to their line in the corner and from the subsequent five metre line out youth No 8 Robin Williams forced his way over for an unconverted try. Dinbych went further ahead when a long range attack by replacement full back Gruff Roberts took play to the Nant line where the visitors were forced to concede a five metre scrum. From this scrum half Garin Roberts first attempted to break infield but when halted managed to change direction by offloading to prop Gareth Jones who forced his way over for an unconverted try despite the close attention of several defenders.
With Dinbych now leading by three scores and the match drawing to its close Nant showed their character and determination by throwing everything into a final phase of all out attack.They gained their reward with a typical try as they went through a number of phases of driving play mainly through their forwards with outside half Grant (Menyn) Jones forcing his way over for an unconverted try in the last move of the game and a fitting conclusion of an excellent game which was a credit to both sides.
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