Week 2 produced a feast of competitive league rugby, we move on to Week 3 with a full Div1 Programme and Div 2 and 3 clubs involved in WRU Bowl 1st Round.
Last Saturday produced some great games in Div 1 with nail biting finishes. Looking back in my 'form book' it shows that in the same week last season there was a points differential of 139 ie ave 23 per match. Last week fixtures points difference was 39 giving an average of 6 points. Early days I know but is this an indication of a tighter spread and a more competitive league this season ?. We pundits cannot afford to leave any stone unturned to seek an advantage in our predictions. Snippets of information are key and for example, this week I have to factor in the fact that Kelvin'The Boot' Morris made an appearance last week for the Cofis whilst the swashbuckling Wil Bown is back home in Llangefni colours.
In week 1 it was Rhuthun who spoilt my full house and on Saturday Llangefni saved the bookies with their great win at Bethesda. Will it be third time lucky this week for my first 100% of the season ?.
Three teams, Llangefni, Nant and Pwllheli remain undefeated whilst Bethesda, Bro and Colwyn Bay are looking for their first wins.Things will change after Saturday's results -- we have some great matches lined up.
Bala welcome newly promoted neighbours Dolgellau. It was a very close affair last time at Maes Gwyniad when the hosts won 13-12. Bala were unlucky last week at fancied Nant going down at the death by two points after leading 20-8. Dol notched up their first win of the season at home against Bro. The hosts will be keen to get over last week's disappointment and should prove too strong for the visitors.
Bethesda travel up to Bro with both sides seeking their first wins. Very close last time when Pesda were 14-12 winners. It will be close again in the 'Battle of the Quarrymen"and it could go either way. These sides are well matched up front and it may be left to the kickers to influence the outcome. The Penrhyn Quarrymen of Bethesda may fancy their chances to break their duck on Saturday.
Colwyn Bay welcome Rhuthun to Brookfield Road. Bay narrowly lost out on a bonus point at Llandudno last week and it was a similar tale for the visitors at Mold. Difficult to predict Bay won 18-15 last time and it could be a similar tight result on Saturday to give The Seahorses their first win of the campaign.
My match of the day will be at Cae Smyrna when unbeaten and newly promoted Llangefni host Caenarfon. Cefni have had an excellent start and had a good win at Bethesda last time out. The Cofis took champions Pwllheli close at The Morfa last Saturday and the ingredients are here for a great game. Cofis won 37-16 in the last league encounter two years ago and I feel this time it will be a closer contest between these well drilled sides. Cefni may edge the proceedings with home advantage.
Last year's runners up Nant make their way to Mold following a heroic comeback in their last week's encounter with Bala. Mold took the points against neighbours Rhuthun and are going well this season. Nant were 35-5 victors last time but cannot afford any lapses against the well organised and a committed Chester Road outfit. Could be an upset on the cards here but on reflection I take the visitors to take the spoils.
Champions Pwllheli entertain Llandudno at Bodegroes. The unbeaten Lleyn boys have had two stiff openers and seem to be coming into their stride. The visitors got the better of neighbours Colwyn Bay last week after a poor display in their opening match. Weather conditions permitting this could be a high scoring affair as both teams enjoy an open game and they have pace aplenty. Pwll on home soil take some beating and they should bag the points on Saturday.
In Div 2 CRDinbych and Shotton continue to set the pace whilst in Div 3 Pwllheli 2nds, Teirw Nant and Menai Bridge top the table.
This week sees the 1st Round of the WRU Bowl, great battles as the clubs try to get into the hat for the 2nd round in their monumental quest for a place at the Finals Day at The Principality next year. Matches include local mid wales ties Welshpool v Llanidloes, Newtown v Machynlleth, high flying CRDinbych welcome Holyhead, Bangor v Llangollen, Benllech v Abergele, UCNW v Wrexham, Flint v Rhos, M/Bridge v COBRA, Rhyl v Aberystwyth University.
Hywel
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