A round up of reports from games involving the clubs of North and Mid Wales.
If you have a report you would like included, please email the details to gwcymru1@aol.com and it will be included with pleasure - many thanks
Rhos 7 v Menai Bridge 45
Following report kindly supplied by Menai Bridge RFC.
It was a winter landscape at Rhos with snow falling and good covering on the pitch. Despite the elements the pitch was playable and an entertaining match was enjoyed by those who braved the elements.
The home team looked to play a tight game through their forwards whilst Bridge wanted to spread the ball. Rhos enjoyed a good period of possession from the off but were unable to breach the Menai Bridge defence. Once Bridge gained some territory, a back row move from the scrum provided scrum half Darren Jones with space to beat the defence and cross the try line under the posts, converted by McGrath. Further pressure on the home defence allowed Bridge to move the ball to the wing and Daniel Hughes crossed for a try. Corrie Shorock's strong running yielded another try for Bridge. To close the first half Pat Roberts sprinted down the line for the bonus point try and a half time score of 26 - 0.
The second half started with Rhos enjoying good posession but struggling to break through for a score. Darren Jones pounced on a ball that popped out of a Rhos scrum for an opportunist try. Bridge then mounted a series of attacks that culminated with Dion McGrath crossing wide out and converting from the touchline. This was soon followed by a kick through the home defence by McGrath which was chased down by Shorrock for a try. The conversion brought the score to 0 - 45. Rhos finished the match with a well deseved consolation try for their 8, Ryan Crump, who powered off a 5 metre scrum, converted by Ethan Bishop.
Abergele 15 Newtown 0
Following report kindly supplied by Abergele RFC.
On a day when Mother Nature tried to do her worst, Abergele produced their best performance and result for many a month.
With a bleak record behind them, Gele took the game to their mid Wales visitors from the moment referee Ceirion Parry blew his first whistle. The Gele pack were determined to make up for their recent disappointments and had their opponents creaking all afternoon.
Newtown's only appearance in the Gele half during the first period was when their relieving clearance kicks crossed the half way line and it was only a matter of time that Gele's first points of the afternoon were added to the new hosts' score board. After a Ieuan Evansesq dart down the wing from the hamstrung Nathan Lea the forward platform was laid and after a siege on the Newtown line, skipper Chris Meyers proved that white men can jump as he leaped salmon like over the posse of bodies in front of him to claim the game's opening score. Rich Meddlicott added the conversion.
This was an alien position for the hosts to be in but the confidence was permeating through the home sides veins and they never looked back. The strangle hold on the game was almost as firm as Gethin Jones and Alun Pritchard's was over turning a tackle into a maul.
The score should have been extended just before the break but unfortunately Rich Meddlicott's shot at goal lacked the accuracy. Dead eyed Dicky, he wasn't!
The second half started in a similar style to the first with Meddlicott redeeming his earlier miss by extending the Swordsmen's lead. To a man, every player in a black and green shirt played with a confidence and style that Pentre Mawr had been lacking in recent years.
Newtown simply had no response to the passion and desire of the black tide. Gele were in complete control as their scrum munched the visitors and the line out was equally effective in attack and defence.
Another period of dominance gave Gele great field position. Rich Hillier powered his way to the try line which was impressive considering he had the Newtown tight head in his pocket all afternoon.
Despite the ascendancy, Gele had a nervy ten minute period as Alex Murray's mind fog saw him taking a ten minute interlude. For the first time in the game Newtown were enjoying a sojourn into the Gele twenty two and although skipper Chris Meyers came a cropper and had to be replaced, the stubbornness of the Gele defence held firm.
The returning Llion Mortimer gave the Pentre Mawr park the opportunity of showing what they'd been missing for the past 2 years with a return to action and his contribution as Gele closed the game out was telling.
Pentre Mawr hasn't been so happy since they elected their latest Counsellor and the Chairman's smile at the end of the game was as wide as the gap between the two teams.
Submitted by Dylan Wyn Evans, Clwb Rygbi Abergele
Dolgellau 9 v Nant Conwy 14
Following report kindly supplied by Nant Conwy RFC.
With the Crimea Pass under snow, the Nant contingent had some difficulty travelling to Dolgellau. After arriving, it was observed that the ‘Marian’ pitches were waterlogged. The Nant squad showing seven different names to the Blaenavon match squad a week previously due to work commitments, holidays and illness, were eager to play after arriving there and Mr Buncombe, the Match Official, deemed that the Ysgol Bro Idris pitch was, indeed, playable. Thus, everybody then to their vehicles and drive to the other side of town. This pitch, considering the weather conditions, was quite good but it is a narrow and short pitch.
It was obvious immediately that Nant’s fast back line would not have the usual space to run to in this match. As a result, to all extent and purposes, this became a ‘battle royal’ between the two sets of forwards. Because of the high number of tackles being done, Mr Buncombe was kept busy and a total of 6 penalty kicks was undertaken by each side. Gerwyn Thomas was successful with three for the home team and, by coincidence, Caron Davies was also successful with three attempts for Nant.
Caron scored the onlytry of the match after 10 minutes play when he touched down after his fellow Centre, Carwyn ap Myrddin had sliced through the defensive line before passing to Caron.
A dour match was observed by all then with little fast flowing open rugby. Next Saturday, Nant Conwy will return to Pant Carw where they will face Bethesda with kick off at 2.30p.m.
Ar ol trafferthion i groesi Bwlch Crimea oherwydd eira, canfuwyd bod y ddau faes rygbi ar y ‘Marian’ o dan ddŵr a phenderfynodd y Dyfarnwr nad oedd yn ddiogel chwarae ar y naill faes na’r llall. Gan fod carfan Nant Conwy wedi cyrraedd – y garfan yn cynnwys saith enw gwahanol i’r rhai a chwaraeodd ym Mlaenafon wythnos ynghynt oherwydd galwadau gwaith, gwyliau a salwch, roedd pawb yn awyddus i’r gêm fynd yn ei blaen. Bu i’r swyddog, Mr Buncombe edrych ar faes Ysgol Bro Idris a phenderfynodd fod hwnnw’n addas i chwarae arno. Pawb yn gyrru cerbydau at ochr arall y dref felly at gae oedd gyda wyneb da o ystyried amgylchiadau’r tywydd ond un hynod fychan a chul.
Dim llawer o wagle felly i gefnwyr cyflym Nant gael rhedeg a bu’r gêm gyfan, i bob pwrpas, yn gêm dynn rhwng y blaenwyr. Gwelwyd nifer sylweddol o giciau cosb yn cael eu rhoi i’r ddwy ochr a bu Gerwyn Thomas i’r tîm cartref a Caron Davies i’r ymwelwyr yn llwyddiannus gyda thair ymgais yr un. Yn od iawn, bu tair ymgais arall yr un yn aflwyddiannus gan yr un chwaraewyr!
Caron sgoriodd unig gais y gêm tros Nant wedi 10 munud pan orffenodd symudiad lle bu i’r canolwr arall, Carwyn ap Myrddin, dorri drwy dacl a phasio’n gelfydd i’w gyd ganolwr.
Gêm ddygn a di-fflach felly ar gae pur drwm gydag ond ychydig o rygbi agored deniadaol. Yr wythnos nesaf, bydd Nant yn wynebu Bethesda ar Bant Carw gyda’r gic gyntaf am 2.30 o’r gloch.
Trefn y sgorio a'r sgorwyr / Scoring Sequence and scorers:
8m: 3 – 0 Gerwyn Thomas, 10m: 3 – 5 CARON DAVIES, 16m: 6 – 5: Gerwyn Thomas,
34m: 9 – 5 Gerwyn Thomas, 36m: 9 – 8 CARON DAVIES
46m: 9 – 11 CARON DAVIES, 53m: 9 – 14:CARON DAVIES.
Dyfarnwr / Referee: Mr Steve Buncombe, Llandrindod
Ruthin 8 v Pwllheli 26
Following report kindly supplied by Ruthin RFC.
After a morning of rain and sleet this game was played on a very soggy pitch but provided good entertainment for the crowd.
Pwllheli showed their intentions in the first few minutes when after some pressure in Ruthin’s half the ball was kicked across field and caught by Osian Parry Jones who nipped over for a try which he converted.
Ruthin responded and challenged the Pwllheli line for about 10 minutes but were kept out by the visitors’ competent defence.
Play returned to the Blues half and Pwllheli got their second try when the ball was kicked forward through Ruthin’s defence and Robin Hughes Jones scored with Parry Jones converting.
Again the Blues responded and were awarded a penalty which fly half Nathan Jones kicked over. Ruthin had to defend well against Pwll’s response but cleared their lines and after putting the visitors’ defence to the test again were awarded a penalty and the pack drove over from the resultant lineout with 2nd row Arwyn Davies getting the try.
The whistle blew for half time with Pwllheli leading 14-8. The Blues started the 2nd half as they finished the first but again the visitors’ defence held and play returned to Ruthin’s half.
After defending well for about 10 minutes but with Pwll getting ever closer to Ruthin’s line Caron Jones popped the ball over the line from a yard out and Parry Jones converted.
With 20 minutes to go Pwllheli were after their try bonus but with Ruthin defending doggedly had to wait to the 78th minute for Ianto Parry to score in the corner.
The try was not converted and after a few minutes more play full time was up with Pwllheli winning 26-8.
Llandudno 33 v Bro Ffestiniog 0
Following report kindly supplied by Llandudno RFC.
With heavy pitch conditions at Maesdu Road, it was Llan that held control of proceedings from start to finish,with a very high quality team performance, combined with a strong forward platform, and a back division with pace.
The first try came from a driving maul by the forwards that took them over the try line, with Bobbie Davies getting the touch down, which Ryan Pike made into seven points with a conversion.
The next score came from quick ball from a set piece passing through a number of hands breaking through the Bro defence with Lloyd Evans crossing the try line near the posts, with two more points being added from the reliable boot of Ryan Pike completing the first half scoring.
The second half continued with Llan in the driving seat. Nick Maxwell with his pace latched onto a cleverly placed kick behind the Bro defence by Ryan Pike, and left the defence in his slipstream to cross for a touch down,and it was a similar kick ahead by Ryan Pike, that Nick Maxwell again was able to latch onto to score his second try, with Pike adding two more points from the conversion.
Llan were well in control to the extent that Bro never were allowed to get into any try scoring opportunities. They sealed this encounter to gain maximum points, when a well supported break by the backs, with Ed Weston breaking through a number of Bro defenders off loading the ball to Lewis Horne who outstripped his opposite number to score there final try, with Pike drilling over a long conversion just on the final whistle.
Man of the Match Ryan Pike.
Match Report by Howie. Next Saturday away at Bala KO 2.30.
Colwyn Bay 0 v Llangefni 78
Following report kindly supplied by Llangefni RFC.
Cefni returned emphatically to winning ways on a wet and sticky Bay wicket. The islanders started well , determined to erase the memory of a below par performance the previous Saturday. The hosts found it very difficult to live with Cefni`s adventurous style, and as the visitors were making regular line breaks, the tries soon started to flow. Six were scored in the 1st half : prop Rhodri Owen bagged a hat trick, and Dion Oliver, Iwan Humphreys and Rhys Hughes got one apiece. The latter converted 4 of them for a 38-0 score at the break.
With the game won, it would have been easy to lower standards, especially as the pitch had turned into a quagmire and Cefni used all their subs far earlier than usual. Osian Jones came on at fullback to make his 1st xv debut. The 2nd half saw Cefni score a further 6 tries and5 conversions. The scorers were Rich Foulkes, Greg Horsman, Ian Parry, Sam Evans, Aaron Jeffries with a try apiece, and Rhodri Owen added his fourth. He would have got a fifth if he hadn`t dropped the ball in the act of scoring. Rhys Hughes added a further 5 conversions for a 23 point personal tally.
The Cefni set piece was very good and there was a huge improvement at ruck time with a much faster clear out and better ball for the backs to use. The backs deserve special praise for good decision making and exceptionally good handling in the treacherous conditions.
The Moniars will now look forward to welcoming Pwllheli to Cae Smyrna next Saturday, hoping for a dryer week and a better surface to play on.
Dinbych 64 v Bangor 7
Following report kindly supplied by Dinbych RFC.
With Wrexham's defeat by COBRA and with Shotton Steel not playing ,Dinbych extended their lead at the top of Division 2 to twenty five points with this ten try bonus point victory over a depleted Bangor side.
In a game of contrasting styles, the heavy and deteriorating ground conditions favoured Bangor's main ploy of using their bulky forwards in close support driving mauls and pick and drives which Dinbych did well to defend, whilst the hosts always attempted to play their usual expansive game despite the conditions.
Try scoring honours went to centre Tom Seddon who crossed for four tries with others by No 8 Narmer El Lamie, right wing Aidyn Jones, hooker Geraint Madoc Jones, outside half Dan O'Sullivan and a brace from left wing Kieran Bonar. Dan O'Sullivan also added seven conversions.
Dinbych started on fire as they sealed their try scoring bonus point with four tries in the opening ten minutes as Bangor were sliced apart by their incisive running and support play. Skipper Narmer El Lamie was the first to cross for an unconverted try after the Bangor defence had been stretched on both sides .
The visitors conceded their second directly from the restart with Kieran Bonar finishing off a combined attack with a touchline dash to cross in the corner which Dan O' Sullivan converted with an excellent kick. Tom Seddon then scored a rapid hat trick of tries in a seven minute period, the first a solo effort from half way when he intercepted a loose pass.
His second was from an excellent trade mark combined attack from inside the Dinbych half with Aidyn Jones making the decisive break. His third was launched from a line out on the Bangor 22 with Dan O'Sullivan making the initial opening. Dan O'Sullivan converted all three and then scored and converted the next try as he sliced open the Bangor defence to score between the posts after full back Gruff Roberts had taken play into the Bangor half.
Dinbych's final try of the first half was a gem started with a precise chip kick on half way by replacement centre centre Mat Hulse, caught by lock Gareth Beach whose clever reverse pass sent hooker Geraint Madoc Jones on a run to the line which left Dinbych leading at the interval by 45 points to nil.
Dinbych soon increased their lead in the opening minutes of the second half when Kieran Bonar went over in the corner for his second try after an attack from half way. The Bangor forwards who battled hard in all aspects of play then had a long period of possession as they attempted to break through with driving mauls and pick and drives close to set pieces and breakdowns.
They were thwarted however by the excellent defensive effort by the Dinbych forwards with flanker John Winning leading the way. A long siege near the Dinbych line was lifted when the hosts turned over possession near their line when replacement No 8 David Haydock latched on to an overthrown lineout. A long relieving kick by Dan O'Sullivan was retrieved by Aidyn Jones near halfway to release Tom Seddon on a run in for a try converted by Dan O'Sullivan.
Bangor again used the conditions well to attack through their forward play and eventually got their reward in the 65th minute when they took advantage of a rare Dinbych defensive error as they failed to clear from a short range ruck for wing Sion Davies to go over in the corner for a try converted by outside half Steff Owen .
Dinbych however had the last word in the closing minutes with a try by Aidyn Jones after the ball had been recycled following a driving maul by the pack from a line out on the Bangor 22. Dan O'Sullivan added the final conversion points.
There are no events to show yet.