What an enjoyable festive rugby Saturday last week , great local derbies and large crowds-another interesting set of fixtures this week.
In Div 1 Nant increased their lead to 8 points following their notable albeit narrow 12-8 victory at Bala. In a great match the Maes Gwyniad side are ruing a slow start which allowed Nant to build what turned out to be a match winning lead. Elsewhere Dolgellau took hosts Bro close losing out 12-8 and Colwyn Bay battled valiantly at Brookfield Road in losing 26-8 to a strong Llandudno side. There was an exciting match at Cae Smyrna where a large crowd saw Pesda having the better of the first half leading 11-6 at the break, however Cefni came out 'all guns firing' in the second period to take the spoils 21-11. The Cofis who are on a poor run nearly turned the tables on current champions Pwllheli gaining a welcome losing bonus point in a 14-8 defeat. A real ding dong battle at Cae Ddol when Rhuthun after leading for most of the match eventually lost out 26-24 to Mold. (this result saved my bookmaker from a caning-spoilt my 100%)
In Div 2 leaders Dinbych stretched their lead to 21 points with another big win at Llangollen whilst improving Wrexham beat Shotton 7-3 in a tense encounter between 2nd and 3rd places.
In Div 3 leaders Holyhead consolidated their lead with a hard fought victory against Benllech. Teirw Nant in second place came away from Menai Bridge with a 32-0 win to keep the pressure on the leaders.
Before I proceed to this week's Div 1 predictions let me wish all our clubs involved in WRU National Trophy comps all the best this Saturday -pob hwyl a dymuniadau gorau i chi gyd- Pwllheli at Maesteg Celtic in the WRU Plate,
Nant and Wrexham Youths both at home against Bridgend and Crymych respectively in the WRU Youth Cup.
Bethesda Youths travel to Fairwater in the WRU Youth Bowl.
We start this week's predictions at Rhuthun's Cae Ddol where Colwyn Bay are the visitors. Bottom club Bay P12 W1 L11 gave a creditable performance last time out and the home side will be keen to get out of a three match run of defeats. Rhuthun in 7th place P13 W6 L7won 68-3 in reverse fixture and on form should clock up a W.
Leaders Nant returned victorious from Bala after a hard fought contest, this week they host 5th place Mold who are on the road again after snatching a 26-24 victory at Rhuthun last Saturday. Nant won 41-13 earlier in the season, it could be closer this time the Mold P11 W6 L5 forwards will need to be tamed but the leaders should have enough pace and power to take the points.
Bala P11 W8 L3 make the journey down the road to the Marian to take on Dolgellau keen to get their title aspirations back on track following their narrow defeat against Nant last week. It is is invariably a close and tense contest between these local rivals although Bala won the reverse fixture 40-22. Dol have been playing well without getting the breakthrough to ease their relegation woes They returned home from Bro last week with a losing bonus point -their third of the season. Close, but I take the visitors to take the spoils.
Caernarfon in 8th position P11 W3 L8 welcome 4th place Llangefni P10 W7 L3 to the Morfa. The Cofis have lost their last three league games whilst the visitors are on a three match winning streak. The Cofis took the honours 28-22 earlier in the season and gave a good account of themselves at Pwllheli last time out. Cefni are the form side but this could be close, home advantage could sway it but the Islanders are my tip for the points.
What a match we have at Dol Ddafydd in the battle of the Quarrymen -Pesda struggling in 11th position host 9th place Bro who lie 7 points above them in the table. There is a lot at stake here and it could turn out to be a tense forward orientated encounter. Bro come into the match on the back of a win at home against Dolgellau whilst Pesda after leading Llangefni at Cae Smyrna ran out of steam in the second half to lose 21--11. Close game, home advantage in front of a large crowd could tip the balance to the Howgets.
Hywel
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