A round-up of reports from games involving the clubs of North and Mid Wales.
Cardigan 23 v Denbigh 7
Following report kindly supplied by Denbigh RFC.
Dinbych's run of ten successive victories came to an end went they went out of the WRU Bowl competition in the Fifth Round, a match in which they competed well in most aspects of play but in which they were handicapped by a lack of match fitness not having played since mid December.
Despite playing against a strong wind blowing straight down the pitch in the first half Dinbych edged both territory and possession. They gained ground through good individual bursts by forwards such as flanker Narmer el Lamie whilst the smooth link provided by half backs Jordan Wynne and Garin Roberts allowed the backs through centre Mat Hulse in particular to probe for openings.
Unfortunately although they went through multiple phases of play they came up against a strong Cardigan defence and struggled at the breakdown where the hosts slowed down or turned over possession as well as causing Dinbych to concede a string of penalties which disrupted their momentum.
In contrast Cardigan took every opportunity to put points on the board from as early as the fifth minute when outside half Iestyn Crompton used the wind to kick a monster penalty from just inside the Dinbych half after the visitors had offended at a breakdown by not releasing after a tackle.
They followed this with the first try of the match when they went over from short range after recycling the ball through their forwards when a back division move broke down on the Dinbych 22 . Dinbych responded by attacking into the Cardigan 22 only to concede a penalty for dissent. The hosts capitalised on this by finding touch inside the Dinbych 22 and then going over for their second converted try with a driving maul by the forwards from the resulting line out.
Trailing by fifteen points after thirty minutes Dinbych hit back scoring the best try of the match in the corner by left wing Jamie Winning.This followed an incisive attack down the right hand touch by full back Dan O'Sullivan and wing Aidyn Jones to near the Cardigan line with the ball quickly recycled and good handling by the midfield backs gave Jamie Winning enough room to go over in the opposite corner. Full back Dan O'Sullivan converted with an excellent kick from the touchline into the teeth of the wind. Just before the interval Cardigan increased their lead with their third but unconverted try as they broke away from the side of a ruck just inside the Dinbych 22.
Trailing by twenty points to seven at the interval Dinbych had high hopes of turning the match round as they now had the advantage of the elements in their favour.
However Cardigan had other ideas as they now began to dominate possession and they increased their lead three minutes into the half when Iestyn Crompton kicked a penalty from twenty metres in front of the posts when Dinbych were caught offside.
As the half progressed Cardigan increased the pressure with more of the play now in Dinbych territory. Dinbych were not completely out of it and they threatened with counterattacks with both wings Aidyn Jones and replacement Kieran Bonar going close after long touchline runs. However the hosts finished the stronger shutting out any hopes of a Dinbych revival.
Coach Russ Rowlands would have been proud of the commitment and effort of his charges as they showed good organisation in both defence and attack doing little wrong against a Cardigan side who made few errors themselves and with their ability in the second half particularly to hold on to possession and continually stretch the Dinbych defence with strong individual bursts.
Dolgellau 104 v Benllech 3
Following report kindly supplied by Dolgellau RFC.
Dolgellau amassed 16 tries in their quest to secure maximum league points and put themselves in a strong position at the top of the division. As this was a ‘double header’ encounter, Dolgellau harvested ten points to put themselves 14 points clear of 2nd placed Llangefni, albeit having played three more games.
Benllech could not cope with Dolgellau’s clinical finishing, despite a heroic effort, as the home side launched themselves forward from all corners of the pitch. It took only three minutes for scrum half, Jac Roberts, to wrong foot the cover and sprint home down left touchline for the opening try. Tries from full-back, Gerwyn Pugh, wing Rob Pugh, and prop, Greg Smithies, two of which were converted by stand-off, Gerwyn Thomas put Dolgellau 24-0 ahead before Benllech stand-off, Dyfed Roberts slotted over a penalty with twenty minutes gone.
Jac Roberts, with his second, centre, Gareth Hughes, and wing Rob Pugh with his second, all crossed the whitewash with all three being converted by skipper Gerwyn Thomas to make the score 45-3 at the interval.
Prop, Geraint Evans, opened the scoring after the break, and wing Rob Pugh crossed for a second half hat-trick of tries to give him 5 for the whole game, and full back Gerwyn Pugh crossed for two more to complete his hat-trick in the match, as Dolgellau , counter-attacked with clinical accuracy.
Skipper, Gerwyn Thomas, centre, Gareth Hughes for his second, and veteran no.8, Dylan Llewelyn all went over, and Thomas, added seven conversions to complete the scoring.
Dolgellau entertain 3rd placed Denbigh next Saturday in a crucial match that will ultimately have a huge bearing on who gains promotion to the First Division following the play-offs.
Referee : Ammanda Lettucca
Caernarfon 52 v Llangefni 10
Following report kindly supplied by Caernarfon RFC.
The Caernarfon pack were kept occupied throughout by their opponents in this friendly encounter but the pace and guile of the Cofi backs was enough to ensure a comfortable win.
Within the first minute a Carwyn Roberts break found Mac Jones at his side to open the scoring. Carwyn Milburn replied with a penalty for Cefni later. However with Caernarfon running from deep and good support play the score board began to tick over in their favour. Dylan Gwyn finished off two moves with Carwyn Roberts getting his own name on the score sheet before Mac Jones claimed his second on the stroke of half time. Iolo Evans, Derfel Thomas and Bryn Granville had been instrumental in many of Caernarfon's forays.
Llangefni gained their one period of sustained pressure down slope at the beginning of the second half. Ieuan Evans at openside was industrious throughout, having been held up just short on one occasion, however following a scrum pickup and surge he was again at hand to collect to charge and score a fine try. Milburn also slotted the conversion. Sadly they failed to maintain the momentum and the Cofis hit them on the break with devastating results. Bryn Granville who had an inspiring performance was twice in support to score two tries, one from distance and the other from a metre or so out. One of his first half sorties had been denied by good covering from Cefni flanker Gerallt Roberts.
Cefni fullback Greg Horsman showed genuine pace and attacked from deep with success in meters gained whilst Rhodri Parry and replacement Dion Oliver made a constant nuisance of themselves around the fringes. The final try was however scored from another speedy intervention by wing Liam Hughes who on being tackled close to the line had replacement scrum half Mike Downey in support to pick up and plough over. Dominic Yau converted four of his six efforts whilst Aled Jones slotted his allotted two. Numerous youngsters were thrown into the fray to gain experience with prop Gethin Jones applying numerous nice touches.
An entertaining afternoon of rugby that more than anything highlighted the notable difference in the tempo between the two leagues these teams find themselves in at present.
Abergele 2nds v 21 v Ruthin 2nds 57
Following report and pictures by John Palmer, Ruthin RFC.
Ruthin 2nds clocked up their first league win of the season at Abergele on Saturday.
Playing 14 men a side the home team got off the mark after 5 minutes with a converted try but within another 5 minutes the Blues equalled things up with a try by Joe Mault converted by Deian Lloyd Williams.
After that the Blues were dominant running in a further 6 tries in the first half, 3 of which were converted with Gele getting one back.
The score at half time was 38-14 to Ruthin and after the break the scoring continued with a further 3 Ruthin tries, 2 of which were converted.
In the last 20 minutes Gele mounted a counter attack and the Blues defended well conceding just one converted try until the final whistle with the final score being 57-21 to Ruthin.
Ruthin try scorers were Joe Mault, Jack Higgins, Mike Evans (3), Deian Lloyd Williams, Phyl Roberts (2) and Arfon Thomas with conversions by Deian Lloyd Williams (4), Phyl Roberts and Jack Higgins.
Following report kindly supplied by Nant Conwy RFC.
The fourth round of the SWALEC Plate saw a large crowd of supporters eagerly awaiting this clash between two teams at the top of their respective leagues and anticipating a feast of good rugby. They were not to be disappointed.
Nant started the game like Greyhounds out of a trap, attacking ferociously in the opposition half and coming close to scoring on a couple of occasions. A combination of bad luck and unforced errors thwarting them. Despite all of Nant’s pressure, it was the visitors who scored first with a push over try after twelve minutes, to put them ahead by five points to nil.
Nant responded in their usual way by attacking the opposition defensive line relentlessly, when on the thirty minute mark, Delwyn Jones scythed his way through the visitors defence to score under the posts. Converting successfully, he put Nant ahead by seven points to five.
With both sides continuing their attacking and defending successfully, it took quick thinking by Delwyn Jones to place a cross field kick into the path of Jack Moriarty, who beat two defenders to score the second Nant try on the verge of half time. A successful conversion saw Nant ahead by fourteen points to five at the interval.
A change of tactics by the visitors in the second half saw them score within nine minutes with another forward move giving them their second try of the match and a successful conversion bringing them within two points of the Nant score.
With everything to play for, both teams endeavoured to gain the advantage over the other. However, Nant seemed to be the more creative and less predictable of the two sides and were rewarded with a penalty for a professional foul on the thirty minute mark, which Delwyn Jones kicked successfully from a tight angle.
With ten minutes of play left, Rhyd-y-Felin needed to score a try to level the game, but Nant having gained the upper hand were not going to let the game slip out of their grasp.
The Final score Nant Conwy 17 Rhyd-y-Felin 12
Sgorwyr y dydd / Today’s scorers:
NANT CONWY :
Ceisiau / Tries: Delwyn Jones & Jack Moriarty
Trosi/Conversions: Delwyn Jones [2]
Cic Gosb /Penalty: Delwyn Jones [1]
RHYD Y FELIN
Ceisiau / Tries: Chris Phillips & Kyle Perry
Trosi / Conversion: David Gratton
Pedwaredd rownd Plât SWALEC yn gweld torf dda o gefnogwyr gyda disgwyliad uchel o weld gwledd o rygbi da gan y ddau dîm sydd ar ben ei cynghreiriau lleol, ac yn wir, ni chafodd neb ei siomi.
Nant yn cychwyn y gêm fel milgwn allan o drap, yn ymosod yn galed yn hanner yr ymwelwyr ac yn dod yn agos i agor y sgorio, heblaw am dipyn o anlwc a chamgymeriadau. Er hynny, Rhyd-y-Felin sgoriodd gyntaf ar ôl deuddeg munud pan wthiodd y blaenwyr ei hunain dros y llinell gais i wneud y sgôr yn pum pwynt i ddim.
Ymatebodd Nant fel arfer, gan ymosod yn galed yn hanner yr ymwelwyr ac o fewn deng munud cafwyd cais unigol bendigedig gan Delwyn Jones pan dorodd linell amddiffyn Rhyd y Felin i sgorio dan y pyst. Gyda throsiad llwyddianus daeth a’r sgôr i saith pwynt i bump. Yna, y ddwy ochr yn ymosod ac yn amddiffyn am gyfnod, tan, ar fron hanner amser cic ar draws y cae gan Delwyn jones yn gweld yr asgellwr Jack Moriarty yn croesi’r llinell gais, a gyda throsiad llwyddianus gorffenodd Nant yr hanner cyntaf ar y blaen o bedwar ar ddeg pwynt i bump.
Rhyd-y-Felin yn newid tagtegau yn yr ail hanner. Naw munud i’r ail hanner, gwelwyd eu blaenwyr unwaith eto yn gwthio dros y llinell gais i sgorio eu hail gais, a throsiad llwyddianus yn dod a hwy o fewn dau bwynt i Nant. Gyda phobpeth i chwarae amdano, y ddau dîm yn ymosod ac yn amddiffyn am eu bywydau. Nant yn pwyso’n galed yn chwarter yr ymwelwyr ac yn edrych yn beryglus. Y Dyfarnwr yn cosbi yr ymwelwyr am anafadwaith bwriadol. Delwyn Jones yn llwyddianus gyda’r gic gosb o ongl anodd. Deg munud i fynd, ac roedd rhaid i’r ymwelwyr sgorio cais, ond nid oedd dim un ffordd fod Nant yn mynd i ollwng eu gafael ar y gêm.
Y sgôr terfynol, Nant Conwy 17 Rhyd-y-Felin 12.
[John Parry]
Following report kindly supplied by Bro Ffestiniog RFC
Bethesda survived a late comeback from hosts Bro to seal the victory and gain a semi final spot in the Conwy Land Rover North Wales Cup. The visitors boosted by the return of Mathew Parry - the fly half controlled the game throughout and thoroughly deserved the "Man of the Match" awarded to him by Hywel Roberts.
Bro dominated the first fifteen minutes but were unable to pierce the visitors defence. Full back Ian Roberts failed to convert a penalty kick early on and they went close through back rower's Dewi James and Huw Parry combining well down the flank only for the final pass to lock Osian Jones going out of play.
Bethesda then missed a chance to take the lead through a Gethin Long penalty as his effort from 30m also failed to split the posts.
After absorbing all the pressure the momentum started to shift and Bethesda started to dominate. Centre Carwyn Williams took a quick tap penalty from deep inside Bro's 22 - the play went one way then the other through numerous phases but this time Bro's defence held firm.
The deadlock in this tight affair was broken on 25 minutes - Bro were penalised for offside and Long slotted over the penalty from 38m.
Parry controlled the match with some sublime territorial kicking - Bro were continuously on the back foot and unable to get out of their own half.
Another penalty miss from Long was soon followed by a successful one after Bro were penalised for holding on and 'Besda doubled their lead.
From the re-start and only minutes left of the half Bro were awarded a scrum on Bethesda's 22. Number 8 James' powerful run was stopped by a try saving tackle within meters of the try line - Bro recycled quickly and full back Roberts crashed over but failed to add the conversion from out wide.
The sides went into the break with the score at 5 - 6.
Only minutes into the second period Bro were penalised once more for offside - Long went for the posts but failed to convert the penalty from 52m.
A break by the visitors right wing Llion Lloyd took Bro by surprise and chipped over the oncoming defence towards the try line but Bro's Mathew Hayden won the race to the ball and Bro were able to clear.
Another successful Long penalty kept the visitors score ticking over.
Bethesda's try came following a break by Parry inside his own 22 and he passed to centre Alwyn Roberts who raced up field through some poor tackling before offloading to flanker Arwyn Griffiths to cross over and Long added the extras.
Another Parry break this time combining with scrum half Darren Mark took 'Besda into Bro's 22 but this time Ffestiniog ripped possession won turn over ball and cleared.
Long added another penalty and extended his sides lead to 14 points.
The final fifteen minutes saw Bro come back into the match. From a lineout on Bethesda's 22 Bro mauled their way towards the try line. James was once more involved his inside pass put lock Dylan Daniels through to score with Roberts converting.
With the home crowd behind them and their tails up Bro were camped deep inside Bethesda's 22 but the final frantic ten minutes brought no other score and it was the visitors who were awarded another penalty which Long failed to convert but his side held on to claim the well deserved victory.
This week its back to league matters with Bro once more at home against COBRA while Bethesda travel to Abergele - kick off 2:30pm
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