We have reached halfway point of the season, some great matches this week to cheer us up prior to the Xmas break.
The weather took its toll on last week fixtures card with only two senior league matches played in North Wales. Pesda had to resort to extreme measures to get Dol Ddafydd playable whilst Holyhead relied on the warm Gulf Stream to keep their pitch in good order. Well done to all concerned, special mention to the away teams who made the journeys when it was tempting to stay in bed! and not forgetting our referees who are always as keen as anyone to have a game. It is worth noting that in Div 1 there are only two clubs who have played their full first half quota of 11 games, Colwyn Bay and Rhuthun, so there is already quite a backlog to sort out before the end of the season.
The weather conditions did not stop two of our Div 1 clubs Nant and Rhuthun in progressing to Round 4 of the National Plate following notable victories on the road against Whitland and Croesyceiliog respectively. Pwllheli's game as Maesteg Celtic was postponed as was Newtown's visit to Monmouth in the Bowl. Shotton lost out 38-13 to a very useful Cardiff University outfit. Colwyn Bay Youths also had a great win at Brynamman to earn a place in the next round of the youth comp.
There are a few clubs who have been out of action for some time due to the Autumn tests and last week's weather so predicting on current form will not be easy - however here I go with my Div 1 predictions for Saturday--
First up are current champions Pwllheli (P9 W8 L1) who are in second place visit to Bethesda (P9 W2 L7) who last week hauled themselves out of the relegation zone after a bonus point victory over a spirited Colwyn Bay side. The visitors won 28-11 in the opening game of the season at Bodegroes and whilst Pesda will make it difficult for them on form Pwllheli are favourites again.
Caernarfon (P10 W3 L7) welcome bottom club Colwyn Bay who are on the road for their second successive game. The Cofis won 27-10 at Brookfield Road earlier in the season and will be eager to improve on their current record of only a solitary win at Y Morfa this season. Whilst Bay gave a fully committed display last time out at Bethesda I am going for a home win.
Llangefni (P8 W5 L3) travel to Dolgellau who are second from bottom (P8 W2 L6). Cefni won the season's opener 34-11 at Cae Smyrna and so far this season they have fared better than their fellow promotees from Div 2 last season. Dol who have some exciting young talent coming through will relish the chance to avenge their early season defeat and with home advantage they could bag some valuable points.
Rhuthun on the back of that great Plate performance last week make the journey to Maesdu Road to take on Llandudno. The Cae Ddol outfit won 16-6 in the corresponding fixture and will be keen to keep the momentum going, their record of P11 W6 L5 sees them 4th in the table. Tudno (P8 W4 L4) for their part have been inactive for a few weeks which may count against them. Both teams at full strength will be a very close encounter but the visitors recent form suggests an away win.
Third placed Bala (P9 W7 L2) make their way to Mold (P9 W5 L4) who have not seen any action since 11th November when they lost narrowly to champions Pwllheli. The visitors who are going well and are well in contention with the leading two in the league beat 4th placed Rhuthun last time out and won the reverse fixture 20-12. Fifth placed Mold will fully test Bala's championship credentials and whilst they have only 2 home victories so far this season they might have enough to snatch the points.
League leaders Nant fresh from a great victory at Whitland in the National Plate welcome old friends and foes Bro Ffestiniog (P8 W3 L5) to Pant Carw. These two sides have already met twice this season with Nant coming out on top on both occasions. Bro have hit some form of late with two good wins on the bounce and whilst they will push the leaders all the way I cannot see them stopping Nant maintaining that 7 point lead at the top of the table.
Nadolig Llawen i bawb.
Hywel
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