A round-up of match reports from games involving the clubs of North and Mid Wales this weekend.
If you have a match report that you would like added to this round-up, please email to gwcymru1@aol.com and it will be added with pleasure.
Mold 23 v Ruthin 15
Following report kindly supplied by Ruthin RFC.
Ruthin started strongly in this local derby at Mold and after 15 minutes camped in the home side’s half, centre Nathan Jones kicked across Mold’s try line only to be obstructed by a Mold player in the chase and Ruthin were awarded a penalty try.
Mold responded and it was the Blues turn to defend. After one missed penalty goal attempt the home side kept up the pressure and were successful with the second after 25 minutes.
The Blues were still having to work hard to keep Mold from scoring again and although defending well were unable to get out of their own half and just before half time Mold scored a try in the corner.
Mold continued to pressure but there was no further score before the break with Mold leading 8-7.
Straight after the break centre Nathan Jones slotted over a penalty goal and the Blues were back in front. Mold responded immediately and after more pressure on the Blues defence went over for an unconverted try.
The Blues were beginning to look a bit ragged, losing good ball and not as clinical in set pieces as they had been at the start of the first half.
The home side scored two further tries, getting their try bonus point and leading 23-10.
The Blues were not finished however and after centre Emyr Gwynedd released wing Josh Wilson along the touchline for a fine try there was hope that the Blues might salvage a losers’ bonus point but the conversion went short and after a short period of play the whistle blew with Mold winning 23-15.
Mold’s try scorers were Dylan Payne, Ryan Kirby, Richard Hopkins and Chris Lewis with George Bryant getting the penalty goal.
Abergele 5 v Rhyl 41
Following report kindly supplied by Abergele RFC.
The first derby between these two sides saw the visitors leave with a bonus point victory.
Rhyl coped much better with the strong wind and took full advantage of the conditions with a couple of early tries in the corner. Gele once again struggled at the scrum which didn’t give the backs the ‘go forward’ they needed.
The breakdown was keenly contested with both sides competing well for the ball but Rhyl used it much better when they were successful, opening up the Gele defence on a number of occasions. Rhyl added another couple of tries before the break to earn their bonus point and turned around with a 24-0 lead.
Gele upped their effort in the second half but didn’t quite manage to penetrate the visitors three quarter line although they scored a try in the corner following some good recycling from a line out.
Rhyl’s back gained in confidence as the game went on and looked to spread the ball at every opportunity and crossed for a further three tries to seal a well earned victory.
Next week Gele travel to Benllech for the first round of the cup.
Menai Bridge 25 v Dinbych 2nds 8
Following report kindly supplied by Menai Bridge RFC.
Menai Bridge can thank fly half Dion McGrath for all of their points in this match. He achieved a personal tally of six penalties, a converted try and a 100 % success rate with the boot.
The first half was a tight contest. The visitors took the lead with a penalty and McGrath replied with two for Bridge. Neither team was able to break down the opposition defence and at half time the score stood at 6-3 to Bridge.
Denbigh scored first in the second half. The forwards caught a 5 metre line and sucked in the close defence to pop off the back of the maul with the defenceless line beckoning. The try was not converted and shortly after the restart Bridge edged a point ahead with a penalty. The home side then started to exert some control on the game as Denbigh tired. A further two penalties were bagged and McGrath scored a try. Breaking from near halfway, he avoided the defence and raced into the corner. He then stepped up and coolly slotted the conversion of his own try, from out wide.
Bridge will be pleased with two league wins, as they face a tough home test against Cobra next Saturday in the WRU Bowl. This week's preparation for that match will be assisted by the Welsh Guards, who are joining the Tuesday night training session.
Dolgellau 20 v Bro Ffestiniog 12
Following report kindly supplied by Dolgellau RFC.
Dolgellau turned the tables in the last half hour of this match, as they came from behind to claim their first points of the season, and overcome what seemed a dominant Bro forward unit in a tense and hard local derby encounter.
It all started so well for Dolgellau. Five minutes in, Bro scrum half, Mathew Haydn broke free deep into Dolgellau territory, however he was robbed by home prop, Dan Brazier at the breakdown and he found centre Dylan Evans who broke through several tackles to sprint clear to touch down. Five minutes later Dolgellau stand-off, Gerwyn Thomas slotted over a penalty to put Dolgellau 8-0 ahead.
Bro dominated the next forty minutes as their forwards gained ascendancy. After fifteen minutes a driving maul saw flanker, Llion Kerry crash over for the try. Stand-off, Huw James, converted to narrow the gap to a single point at 8-7.
Bro’s forwards pounded away and on 28 minutes flanker Kerry again involved as the ball was spun wide to centre Aron Aspden to go over to give the visitors a deserved 8-12 lead at the interval.
Bro continued to dominate at the start of the second period, but fifteen minutes in Dolgellau brought on props Huw Jones and Dewi Pugh and their presence had immediate effect.
From a scrum ten metres out, Dolgellau scrum half, Jac Roberts, took advantage of his new-found freedom to manoeuvre at scrum time, and found centre Dylan Evans in good support to go over for his second try of the game. Gerwyn Thomas’ conversion gave Dolgellau a slender 15-12 lead.
Despite several down-pours a decent sized home attendance were being fully entertained, and it was uncompromising at times, Dolgellau centre Gareth Hughes having to receive treatment for a gash to his cheek. But it was the home eight that now began to dominate and, wing Gerwyn Pugh, flanker Danny Evans and no.8 Dylan Llewelyn were all thwarted short of the try line. However they clinched the match with only four minutes remaining, as Gerwyn Thomas’ magnificent cross field kick was gleefully gathered by left wing Rhys Lewis to go over in the corner, and give Dolgellau a deserved 20-12 victory.
Referee : Ammanda Lattuca
Ball Boys [U14] : Kane Triggs and Ryan Hughes
Neath 18 v RGC 31
Following report kindly supplied by RGC News.
RGC claimed a hard fought Bonus Point win on the road against Neath. The homeside were unbeaten going into the game and performed like a form side in the 1st half.
Apart from the RGC try, from a great Cam Davies run and Tiaan Loots touchdown the visitors didn’t have much to shout about.
Howley had given Neath the lead with a penalty before RGC got the try but the All Blacks had the better territory and possession and used the ball well. It was no surprise when Neath scored from a Phillips try.
RGC could not get into the game and the set piece was not firing at all.
Neath were moving the ball well and when it went wide Kieran Williams ran through the gap to claim the try.
Howley missed his 2nd conversion attempt, and as well as a long range penalty attempt that went short, those points would prove costly as the half went on.
Richard Williams was next to cause some problems after RGC lost the ball and the winger raced down the field on the break, before RGC scrambled a defence to clear the danger.
It was a frustrating watch from the touchline and as halftime approached RGC worked up the field for really only the 2nd time in the game. The line-out worked, the maul was formed and the pack did the rest with Hooker George Roberts getting the try in his first start.
Botica nailed the conversion and RGC went into the dressing room 14-13 up, and would have felt like they had got off the hook.
If the 1st half was about RGC’s poor set piece, lack of possession and not enough territory then 2nd half was the complete reverse. The game restarted as the heavens opened and RGC kicked from hand a lot more to test Neath in the wet conditions.
A few niggles broke out between both sets of players as the game heated up. It was a testing time around the breakdown and the physicality of the game was telling. Neath had to make a number of changes due to injuries earlier than they would have wanted, so when RGC emptied the bench the pack began to win the arm wrestle.
Loots and Hughes were making some good yards with ball in hand and both never stopped running for the whole game, especially as much of the play was through the middle of the field.
The visitors were controlling the game and pushing forward for the score. It was the pack that was responsible for both tries with Tim Grey and Henri Williams coming up with the ball and the pats on the back.
The boot of Botica was in range again hitting 2 conversions and a penalty to edge RGC to 31 points
With the game being stretched a bit more, Dion Jones and Harri Evans showed some great attacking pace with a 40 yard break before the ball ended up in touch. Credit to Neath as they continued to run the ball when they had the chance and that endeavour got them a try near the end with James Roberts scoring but it was no more than consolation for the All Blacks.
Captain Maredydd Francis feels his side is gaining momentum after the win “At half-time we talked about the set piece and how we needed to improve, and to be fair we stamped our authority in the pack after the break.”
The skipper was making his 1st start of the season “We have done a lot of work with Gaz Whittaker (strength and conditioner) and we can see the results in the latter stages of the game. We have another challenge next week against Aberavon, but we have some momentum with 2 wins now”
Bethesda 17 v Llangefni 24
Following match report kindly supplied by Llangefni RFC.
The hosts started with a bang and dominated the 1st 10 minutes or so. Their forwards carried eagerly, and they moved the ball wide accurately, but they got no change out of a very well organised and mean Cefni defence. Indeed ,it was in this period of the game that the islanders laid a foundation for victory. The closest Pesda came to a score early doors was when their dangerous 15, Gethin Long, just missed out after a skilful kick and chase to the in goal area.
When Cefni finally got a hold of the ball, the pack with Bedwyr Williams, Aron Oliver, Will Bown and Declan Griffiths to the fore,started to make some big dents in the Pesda defensive line. Around the 20 minute mark, Cefni won their attacking line out about 8 metres out. Will Bown drove towards the posts allowing Mark Gray the space to pick out Sior Grieves on the scissors who raced over under the sticks. Gray added the extras for 7-0.
Pesda hit back to gain a lineout on the Cefni 22, however they were inaccurate and Mark Gray was able to relieve the pressure with a 50 metre clearance. When Cefni had a similar situation near the home 22, Gray was able to find Richard Foulkes on a superb line : he ran in powerfully from 30 metres. Another Gray conversion and it was 14-0. Cefni almost bagged a third try when their forwards pummelled the home line only to lose the momentum when they moved the ball into midfield. So it remained 0-14 at the break.
Any thoughts of an easy 2nd half for the visitors were soon dispelled when a poor Cefni clearance allowed Gethin Long to set off from his own 10 metre line, put on the after burners for a superb solo try which Rhys Jones converted for 7-14. It was now a pulsating end to end contest, and soon Cefni were being held up on the home line after a line out on the home 22. When Cefni were awarded a scrum on the home 22, as on several occasions during the match, they were shunted backwards. The scrum was their achilles heel during the whole match !
When Pesda moved the ball right from a lineout near half way, Gethin Lane provided the extra man. After some skilful inter passing Danial Jones was on hand to take the inside pass to cross wide out. No extras but at 12-14 it really was game on ! Cefni looked to attack on the right flank, and Rich Foulkes did very well to hang on to a Gray pass. Declan Griffiths` close support led to a Cefni penalty, from which Dion Oliver charged linewards. When the ball went loose Declan Griffiths gathered it and stormed over. Gray added the extras for 12-21 with 10 minutes to play. Back came Pesda , taking full advantage of a stray Cefni line out as no8 Llion T Jones ran in powerfully from 15 metres. No extras so 17-21.
Once again Cefni responded with urgency: After a good Gray kick off, Pesda ran the ball from deep but got caught and penalised in their own 22. Mark Gray calmly slotted the penalty for the final score of 17-24.
It was a ding dong battle and a good advert for Division 1 Rugby, and in the final analysis the Cefni bench made a truly winning impact, especially Dion Oliver, Aaron Jeffreys and Rhodri Owen.
Next week will be another step up in intensity when Cefni welcome Caernarfon to Cae Smyrna.
Following report kindly supplied by Caernarfon RFC.
This Division 1 North fixture had all the hallmarks of an early season encounter, much endeavour but nothing of significance resulting from their efforts. That said, the four tries that were scored were fine examples and Pwllheli's rush defence probably did more than anything to ensure that they held on to the lead that they had established soon after the break.
Following a bright opening by both, the Cofis began exerting some pressure and from a five meter scrum an inside pass from standoff Carwyn Roberts was taken at pace by winger Iolo Hughes who bisected the defence and grounded with aplomb close to the posts. He also duly added the conversion with eight minutes played.
Pwllheli slowly began to retain possession to good effect with Nick Butterworth finding some telling touch finders but the lineout was not functioning smoothly enough to trouble Caernarfon unduly. The Cofis were hampered mid way through the first half when Roberts at standoff, who had played well up to that point, had to leave the field injured following an accidental collision. Soon afterwards a Butterworth half break and release saw centre John Pugh run on to the ball at pace from twenty metres out to wrong foot the cover and score. The reliable boot of winger Osian Parry Jones added the extras to tie the score.
Some unwarranted verbal comments granted Caernarfon a foothold in Pwllheli territory but nothing materialised whilst Pwllheli's sorties out wide were met by stern tackling as the half drew to a close.
A number of new faces were evident amongst the squads of both teams and all acquitted themselves well, none more so than the impressive Caernarfon flanker Robat Griffith and industrious Pwllheli Number eight Elis Pari.
The second period was barely four minutes old when a speculative clearance kick was fielded close to the half way line by winger Robin Hughes Jones who then set off at pace and weaved his way to within a few meters of the line before being brought to earth, however he had the presence of mind to off load to ever present John Pugh who dived in to score his second of the day. Osian Parry Jones again bisected the posts to increase Pwllheli's advantage.
Caernarfon's injury woes continued, losing replacement stand off Kelvin Morris and centre Dafydd Roberts to knee injuries and although their deputies coped admirably the fluidity required in attack was not quite as evident. However mid way through the half a charge down nearly brought rewards for hooker Gareth Pritchard before the resultant scrum saw the ball fed wide to Dylan Gwyn who wriggled out of numerous attempted tackles to bring the Cofis renewed hope. The conversion drifted wide and following a ruck infringement some five minutes later the Cofis found themselves once more five points adrift when Osian Parry Jones converted the penalty. Numerous substitutions took to the field during the last ten minutes seeing solid second row Huw Williams take a deserved rest from the Pwllheli engine room, whilst partner Geraint Parry also left courtesy of a yellow card.
However the one man advantage that Caernarfon had for the final few minutes was of no significance as the Pwllheli rush defence thwarted every possible attack at base to ensure that they took the spoils yet again.
Llandudno 22 v Colwyn Bay 13
Following report kindly supplied by Llandudno RFC.
In a local Derby that lacked continuity by both sides, Llandudno came out winners. The visitors were first on the score sheet, when after about ten minutes of play having been under pressure from Llan, that they managed to break out of their own half, with Connor Harding touching down under the post for a converted try by Harry Parks.
Llan responded shortly afterwards with a converted penalty by Ryan Pike. Llan for long periods during this first half held territorial advantage. Ryan Pike increased their lead with the try of the match, when from within his own half he made a telling run slicing through the Bay defence to score a try under the posts which he also converted.
The Bay were awarded a number of penalties during this first half, one of which was converted by Harry Parks. The second half saw Llan continue to have territorial advantage and it was from a line out that Morgan Owen broke away to score an unconverted try. Llan continued to give away numerous penalties, and Harry Parks kept the Bay in touch with the Llan score line, with a conversion.
In the final quarter of play, the Bay gave away a number of penalties on their try line, and after a final warning by the referee that Llan were awarded a penalty try, which gave
them the match winning seven points.
Next Saturday away to Pwllheli.
Nant Conwy 22 v Bala 20
Following report kindly supplied by Nant Conwy RFC.
NANT CONWY – 22 v Y BALA - 20
Adran 1 y Gogledd / Division 1 North
Trefn y sgorio a'r sgorwyr / Scoring Sequence and scorers:
7m: 5 – 0 SION PRINGLE, 24m: 5 – 3 OWAIN ALED, 28m: 8 –3 ARTHUR LENNON 37m:
8 – 8 ELGAN EVANS & 8 -10 OWAIN ALED
46m: 8 – 15 ILAN ROWLANS & 8 – 17 OWAIN ALED, 71m: 8 -20 OWAIN ALED, 74m: 13 – 20 CARWYN DAVIES & 15 – 20 ARTHUR LENNON, 81m: 20 - 20 SION PRINGLE &
22 – 20 ARTHUR LENNON
Dyfarnwr / Referee: Mr Dylan Llyr Jones, Pwllheli
Sicrhau’r Fuddugoliaeth Yn Y Funud Olaf
Mewn gêm dyn, bu i Nant sicrhau’r fuddugoliaeth gyda chais arbennig a throsiad anodd yn y munud olaf, gan dorri calonau bechgyn y Bala, a oedd wedi bod ar y blaen am rhan fwyaf o’r gêm.
Nant yn agor y sgôr gyda chais ar yr asgell chwith ar ôl saith munud. Bala wedyn yn llwyddianus gyda chic gosb a roddwyd am gamsefyll. Cyfnod wedyn o ymosod a gwrth daro gan y ddau dîm i ddim effaith. Wyth munud ar hugain i’r hanner, Bala yn camsefyll a Nant yn manteisio ar y sefyllfa i ychwanegu at ei sgôr gyda chic gosb lwyddiannus. Gyda thri munud i fynd cyn yr hanner amser, symudiad cyflym a nerthol gan yr ymwelwyr yn gorffen gyda chais da a throsiad llwyddiannus i roi yr ymwelwyr ar y blaen ar yr hanner amser o ddeg pwynt i wyth.
O fewn chwe munud i gychwyn yr ail hanner, Bala yn ymestyn ei sgôr gyda chais a throsiad llwyddianus arall. Dilynwyd hyn gyda chyfnod o ymosod a gwrthymosod gyda dim mantais i’r naill dîm na’r llall. Deng munud cyn y chwib olaf, cic gosb i’r Bala yn ymestyn eu mantais ac y gwneud y sgôr yn ugain pwynt i wyth.
Gyda pawb yn meddwl i fod y gêm hon wedi ei cholli, dyma newid sydyn yn y gêm. Dau gais a throsiad bendigedig yn cael ei sgorio yn y saith munud olaf i sicrhau’r fuddugoliaeth i Nant.
Victory Secured In The Final Minute
In a tight, tense game Nant secured the victory with an exceptional try and difficult conversion in the final minute and break the hearts of the Bala players, who had been in the lead for most of the game.
Nant opened the score after seven minutes. A successful penalty kick awarded for offside saw the visitors close the gap to two points. There followed a period of attacking and counter attacking with neither side able to break the other down. Twenty seven minutes in and Bala were penalised for offside. The resulting penalty kick extending Nant’s lead.
Three minutes before half time, a powerful and skilful move resulted in Bala scoring their first try of the afternoon and with the successful conversion putting them ahead at half time by ten points to eight.
Within six minutes of the restart, Bala extended their lead with a fine try and successful conversion. Neither side gave an inch in the next twenty minutes, both attacking and counter attacking for all their worth. With ten minutes to go, the visitors extended their lead with yet another successful penalty kick to put them ahead by twenty points to eight.
When all seemed lost for Nant, the last seven minutes saw them score and convert two wonderful tries to clinch victory out of the jaws of defeat.
Sadrwn nesaf / Next Saturday: Yr Wyddgrug / Mold v NANT CONWY
[John Parry]
Other results for Nant Conwy:
Benllech 10 v TEIRW NANT [Nant Conwy 2nds] – 53
[Adran 3 y Gogledd/ Division 3 North]
Sadwrn nesaf / Next Saturday TEIRW NANT v Yr Wyddgrug[2] / Mold [2]
Powlen SWALEC Bowl: R. 1
Ieuenctid NANT CONWY Youth 45 v Ieuenctid Bangor Youth – 19
[N Wales Youth League – Western Division]
Sadwrn nesaf / Next Saturday:
Ieuenctid Caergybi / Holyhead Youth v Ieuenctid NANT CONWY Youth
[Ifor Glyn]
Dinbych 98 v Llangollen 6
Following report kindly supplied by Dinbych RFC.
Dinbych continued their good start to the season with a bonus point victory over a plucky Llangollen side who battled bravely to the end even though they were swamped by the host's sixteen try avalanche.
Although the scoring was again dominated by Dinbych's free running backs it was built on the efficient performance of the forwards who gradually got on top of Llangollen's bulkier pack in the set piece and provided quick possession in the breakdown area and with No 8 Liam Allsup- Jones and lock Gareth Beach as powerful ball carriers able to break the gain line.
Scrum half Garin Roberts ensured a rapid service to the outside backs whilst half back partner Dan O'Sullivan notched up a match total of twenty six points through two tries and eight conversions. Full back Gruff Roberts was not far behind with twenty two points from four tries and a conversion whilst the dangerous centre partnership of Tom Seddon and Owain Davies stretched the Llangollen defence throughout with each scoring a brace of tries. Their play also created the opportunities for left wing Kieran Bonar to cross for a brace and for others by right wing Aidyn Jones and replacement wing Dafydd Cartwright.
With a stiff breeze at their backs Llangollen started brightly using driving play by their forwards to make ground but they fell behind after only four minutes when hooker Geraint Madoc Jones went over in the corner for an unconverted try after Owain Davies changed the direction of attack and wrong footed the defence in the Llangollen 22.
This was followed immediately with a try by co- centre Tom Seddon who capitalised from a break from half way by Garin Roberts. Dan O'Sullivan converted before Llangollen replied with two penalties by outside half Iestyn Hughes.
Kieran Bonar then extended Dinbych's lead as he outpaced the cover defence on a touchline run as Dinbych attacked from halfway.Dan O'Sullivan converted before Owain Davies then scored an identical try after lock David Haydock turned over possession on half way.
Prop Osian Williams then powered his way over for Dinbych's fifth try when he gained possession after a driving maul by the forwards from short range line out. Kieran Bonar closed the first half scoring when he finished off another sweeping attack from inside the Dinbych half. Dan O'Sullivan added the conversion points to leave Dinbych ahead by thirty six points to six at the interval.
There was no respite for Llangollen in the second half as Dinbych soon added to their score with a solo effort by Owain Davies who brushed aside several defenders before crossing for a try. Dan O'Sullivan converted this and the next try which he scored himself after re-possessing the ball from a defender after chipping ahead.
Tom Seddon then scored after an excellent attack involving wings Aidyn Jones and Dafydd Cartwright. Dan O'Sullivan crossed for his second try following a turn over on halfway before full back Gruff Roberts began to dominate the late scoring running in his first try by breaking down the narrow side from half way. Dafydd Cartwright then went over in the left hand corner after good approach play by Aidyn Jones and Gruff Roberts. Roberts then crossed for his second try after Llangollen lost possession at a scrum and then added his hat trick try after winning the race to touch down after chasing his own kick through.
Dan O'Sullivan converted all three tries before Llangollen showed their character by keeping possession and going through many phases of play as they attacked close to the Dinbych line only to be repulsed by Dinbych's aggressive defence. When Dinbych raised the siege and took play upfield the elusive Gruff Roberts closed the scoring as he again showed the visitors a clean pair of heels as he outpaced the defence for a try under the posts which he converted himself with a drop kick.
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