A round up of reports for games involving the clubs of North and Mid Wales.
If you would like your report included in this round up, please email the details to gwcymru1@aol.com and it will be added with pleasure
RGC 20 v Carmarthen Quins 20
Following report kindly supplied by RGC News.
RGC were held to a draw in a tight game at Stadiwm Zipworld against Carmarthen Quins.
Head Coach Mark Jones saw his side create some good chances, but failed to take them “We scored 3 tries against a good side, and also left plenty of chances on the pitch. It is a lesson we can learn from, making sure we take opportunities and also be patient when we create them. When we play the top sides we don’t get as many chances, so it is crucial that we take them when they arrive.”
The Coach credited the visitors threat “Quins bring a good set-piece and they have been causing problems to all the sides in the Premiership this season, but when you look at it, 2 of our 3 tries came from our set piece – 1 from a solid scrum and another from a line-out. The important thing for us it that we learn from today and in turn be better next week, and that continual improvement is what we look for from the players”
Jacob Botica went close with an early penalty before Steffan Marshall hit the opening 3 points for the visitors.
The North Walians began to play the game in the Quins half, with both Dion Jones and Tom Hughes making some strong runs through the visitors defence. With every good opportunity made, most ended with an error from RGC. On too many occasions the ball was knocked on and Carmarthen were able to clear the ball and eased the pressure.
On the 26th minute RGC played the ball wide, opened up some space with Tom Hughes crossing over for the try. Jacob Botica kicked the conversion. Quins were able to respond 10 minutes later with a big drive from the back ended with Richard Bloomfield getting the try. Marshall added the 2 points give the Quins the lead.
Attacking play was continuing for RGC, and they continued to work their way into some good field positions but the handling errors continued to hamper them, much to the frustration of the crowd.
Evan Yardley was having an impressive game, and was carrying well setting up some good moves for RGC.
Winger Iolo Evans was next to make a break, and after some powerful running to evade a number of tackles before he offloaded to Botica, but sadly the fly-half knocked on when a try was on the cards
Tom Hughes made a couple of big tackles that were felt more than an earthquake.
Quins were reduced to 14 men in the 38th minute when try-scorer Bloomfield was set to the sin-bin and it wasn’t long before RGC took full advantage. Iolo Evans continued to impress and he picked up the try on the halftime whistle. The 2nd half was another high tempo 40 minutes, and credit to both sides as they looked to play some direct fast paced rugby.
Dylan Morgans finished off a great passing move to score the try down the wing, with the boot of Marshall on target again.
Substitute winger Rhys Williams added some intent to the play when he came on, with a great kick chase to put the covering Quins player into touch to create the line-out opportunity.
RGC picked up their 3rd try after some quick passing across the field before Dion Jones sped over the whitewash. Botica was unlucky with the conversion as his kick hit the posts.
The Gogs took the lead on the 65th minute when Botica hit the penalty.
Credit to Quins who continued to play the ball, and finished the final 10 minutes stronger than the Gogs. They were able to stretch the field and find some space to make some gainline breaks.
Marshall levelled to score with minutes left on the clock, to make it tense ending to the game.
RGC looked to pick up that winning score and it looked like it was on, before referee Elgan Williams blew his whistle for crossing when Tom Hughes was on the charge.
Both sides will have felt they could have won the game, but it was one for both sets of fans to enjoy.
Caernarfon 12 v Nant Conwy 47
Following report kindly supplied by Nant Conwy RFC.
On a sunny afternoon and a good pitch, Nant began as if their lives depended on attacking. In the first minute, we had a similar occurrence as the Gareth Anscome ‘no try’ at Twickenham a week earlier. We had three ‘5 metere’ scrums in succession and from the third one, the pack pushed the home eight over the try line and Carwyn Ellis stood uo after grounding the ball. Arthur Lennon converted the try, the first of his six conversions for the afternoon.
Barely five minutes later, the right winger, Steff Horan was involved again and passed inside to Scrum Half, Cai Jones who, in turn, passed it to Tight Head Prop, Robin Glyn who scored another try. After the conversion, the pace of the match fell slightly with the Match Official’s whistle being heard on several occasions for minor infringments.
After 27 minutes, the home side’s Captain and right winger, Iolo Hughes, had the opportunity to show his pace and went over for an unconverted try. But back came Nant on the attack again and they scored a contreversial third try through left winger, Jack Moriarty. This was Jack’s last involvment in the match as he left the pitch following a rather nasty looking rib injury. Arthur again converted this score.
Just before half time, Nant gained their four try ‘bonus point’ when Arthur Lennon escaped several attempted tackles to dot over for a try that he converted to give a half time score of 5 – 28.
Nant were the first side to score in the seccond half as well. The play stopped as both sides were waiting for the whistle that never came for an infringment. Ifan was the first to react and sped over the line for a try on the left hand side – a try beautifully converted by Arthur.Three quarters way through the match, Arthur showed his gulie in evading five attempted tackles through speed and side stepping to touch down under the posts – and convert his own try again.
Seven minutes later, some untidy passing by the home side meant that the ball squirmed out of a tackle; was picked up by Arthur who again showed a clean pair of heels to the home defence to score his third try of the afternoon.
Unfortunately, his attempt to turn this try into a seven pointer failed and spoilt his 100% record for converting. In fairness to the homesters, their heads did not drop at all and they scored a deserved try with the last movement of the match. Mac Jones (no. 8) evaded two tackles and managed to touch down near the posts for no. 15 Dominic Yau to convert. A final score of 12 – 47 then.
On now to the next League match – a home game against Llandudno at the beginning of March.
Trefn y sgorio a'r sgorwyr / Scoring Sequence and scorers:
5m: 0 – 5 CARWYN ELLIS & 0 – 7 ARTHUR LENNON, 9m: 0 – 12 ROBIN GLYN & 0 – 14 ARTHUR LENNON, 27m: 5 – 14 Iolo Hughes, 34m: 5 – 19 JACK MORIARTY & 5 – 21 ARTHUR LENNON, 38m: 5 – 26 ARTHUR LENNON & 5 – 28 ARTHUR LENNON
46m: 5 – 33 IFAN JONES & 5 – 35 ARTHUR LENNON, 61m: 5 – 40: ARTHUR LENNON & 5 – 42 ARTHUR LENNON, 68m: 5 – 47 ARTHUR LENNON, 84m: 10 – 47Mac Jones & 12 – 47 Dominic Yau
Dyfarnwr / Referee: Mr Ceirion Parry, Ynys Môn / Anglesey
Ar brynhawn braf a chae sych yn nhref y Cofis, dechreuodd Nant ar dan gydag achos tebyg i “gais” tebyg i “un” Gareth Anscombe yn Nhwickenham wythnos ynghynt! Cafwyd tri sgrym 5 yn olynol ag o’r trydydd gwithiwyd y pac cartref tros eu llinell a chododd Carwyn Ellis yn llwyddiannus wedi tirio’r bêl. Troswyd y cyntaf o chwe trosiad gan Arthur Lennon. Brin bum munud yn ddiweddarach, gwelwyd yr asgellwr de, Steff Horan yn pasio i mewn i’r mewnwr Cai a basiodd wedyn i ddwylo diolchgar y prop pen tyn, Robin Glyn i sgorio cais arall y tymor hwn. Wedi’r trosi, tawelodd pethau ychydig gyda’r chwiban yn cael ei chwythu’n aml yn erbyn y naill dîm a’r llall. Ar 27 munud, gyda’u hymosodiad cyntaf, llwyddodd Capten y tîm cartref, Iolo Hughes, i ruthro ar yr asgell dde a phlymio trosodd am gais na lwyddwyd i’w drosi. Ond yn ôl i ymosod yr aeth Nant a gorffenwyd symudiad dadleuol ar y chwith gan yr asgellwr Jack Moriarty – cais arall a droswyd. Dyma oedd chwarae olaf Jack gan iddo, mae’n debyg, gael niwed drwg i’w asennau yn y symudiad. Fymryn cyn yr hanner, llwyddodd Arthur i gael seithbwynt wrth osgoi sawl tacl i dirio’r bêl a throsi wedyn. Nant Conwy felly wedi ennill pwynt bonws cyn yr hanner.
Nant sgoriodd gyntaf yn yr ail hanner yn ogystal, Pawb yn disgwyl chwiban na ddaeth ac Ifan yn ymateb gyntaf I’r sefyllfa gan fynd trosodd am gais yn y gornel chwith. Arthur yn camu i fyny i drosi’n hyfryd eto. Dri chwarter ffordd drwy’r gêm, gwelwyd gallu Arthur i redeg yn gyflym eto pan wibiodd heibio’r holl amddiffynwyr i gael cais o dan y pyst. Tasg hawdd oedd trosi’r cais hwn. Saith munud yn ddiweddarach, manteisiodd Arthur eto ar basio blêr gan y tîm cartref gan ennill y bêl a dasgodd allan o dacl a llwyddo i gyrraedd y linell gais eto. Yn anffodus, diflannodd record 100% am drosi gyda’r ymdrech yn y fan hyn. Chwarae teg i’r Cofis, bu iddynt barhau i ymdrechu hyd at y diwedd a bu iddynt sgorio cais haeddiannol gyda symudiad olaf y gêm pan lwyddodd y rhif 8, Mac Jones i fynd trwy’r amddiffyn i sgorio cais, a droswyd gan Dominic, ger y pyst. Sgôr derfynol o 12 – 47 felly.
Ymlaen yn awr i chwarae Llandudno gartref ddechrau mis Mawrth.
Canlyniadau eraill / Other Results
Adran 3 y Gogledd / Division 3 North
Pwllheli [2] – 5 v TEIRW NANT [Nant Conwy (2)] – 17
Sgorwyr Teirw Nant scorers:
Ceisiau / Tries:
RHYS JONES & MAREDUDD PYRS
Trosi / Conversions: GWION ELLIS-JONES (2)
Cic Gosb / Penalty: GWION ELLIS-JONES
Cwpan Ieuenctid y Gogledd / North Wales Youth Cup
Wrecsam – 7 v NANT CONWY – 24
Sgorwyr NANT CONWY scorers:
Ceisiau / Tries: BRENIG HUGHES, ELLIS FÔN, IFAN WILLIAMS & GETHIN ROBERTS
Trosi / Conversions: JOSH WILLIAMS (2)
[Ifor Glyn]
Bethesda 31 v Dolgellau 10
Following report kindly supplied by Dolgellau RFC.
Bethesda took a giant step towards Div 1 safety with this convincing bonus point victory, which is no more than they deserve, crossing for five excellent tries to bury a disappointing Dolgellau.
Bethesda dominated the opening quarter, their forwards and backs were combining well and they deservedly went ahead on ten minutes. With Bethesda pressing, play was switched quickly to centre Huw Williams to dart over in left corner. Full back Gethin Long converted from the touchline to make it 7-0. Seven minutes later, a break by Long up the left touchline saw wing Rhys Jones cross over, with Long again adding a difficult conversion to put the hosts 14-0 ahead.
Despite being second best in the set pieces, Dolgellau rallied in the second quarter, and came close to scoring from a quickly taken penalty, but no.8 Dylan Llewelyn was held up over the line. Bethesda’s cast iron defence kept their line intact and Dolgellau could only muster a penalty to stand-off Gerwyn Thomas after half an hour.
Bethesda re-gained their superiority with two minutes of the half remaining, as centre Steffan Owen went over on the right corner to make it 19-3 at the interval.
Bethesda were not content with just the win, they went in search of the bonus point, and it duly came three minutes into the second half, when no.8 Arwyn Griffith crossed from a scrum against the head 5 metres out. Gethin Long added the extras and Bethesda were out of sight at 26-3. Twenty minutes in, the hosts crossed for their fifth try with wing Rhys Jones crossing for his second of the afternoon, finishing off a prolonged siege on the Dolgellau 5 metre zone and making the score 31-3.
As Bethesda eased off, Dolgellau’s late flurry earned them a penalty try, when 2nd Row Bryn Jones was illegally tackled on the try line with less than four minutes to go. The conversion was added automatically, but it did not take the shine off a very competent Bethesda performance .
Referee : Mr Dylan Llyr
Benllech 8 v 29 Menai Bridge
Following report kindly supplied by Menai Bridge RFC.
Bridge had to work hard for a bonus point victory away to Benllech. Benllech enjoyed the better of the first half playing with the conditions and the advantage of the fall in the pitch. On 12 minutes Benllech engineered a slick passing move from sustained forward pressure, for their left wing to dot down in the corner.
Bridge battled their way back into the game and enjoyed the majority of posession, however a combination of a stout Benllech defence and poor decision making hampered any progress for the vistors. Eventually Sam Williams powered over from close range to level the scores at 5 all on the half hour. Benllech closed the half with a Tomos Glyn penalty taking a 8 to 5 lead into half time.
The second half started with Bridge enjoying territory and possession but failing to take advantage of their opportunities thanks to Benllech's dogged defence. Corrie Shorrock broke the deadlock with a determined run, brushing off defenders on a smart line for his try.
As Bridge took control of territory, they eventually settled into a more structured game and created an overlap for Pat Roberts to score out wide. Bridge used their bench and the substitutes made an impact. Second row sub Mark Dawson busted through for a try, converted by McGrath which brought up the bonus point. The icing on the cake for Bridge was a try for substitute prop Dilwyn Morris. A lineout on the 22 set up Morris on a crashing run that combined power and silky stepping skills to carve open the defence.
The try brought the loudest cheer of the afternoon. McGrath's conversion was the final act of the game, closing the score at 8 - 29.
Caernarfon 12 v Nant Conwy 47 - the Cofi view
Following report kindly supplied by Caernarfon RFC.
Bu gwylio cyfran helaeth o'r gêm hon yn bleser, gan fod safon y trafod a'r cefnogi o'r safon uchaf o'r cychwyn. O'r dechrau 'roedd bygythiad Nant yn amlwg gyda'r cyflymder a'r gefnogaeth oedd yn cael ei gynnig i ddeilydd y bêl yn hynod gelfydd. O fewn y deg munud cyntaf sgoriwyd dau gais, gyda arweiniad Carwyn Ellis yn allweddol. Ei fylchiad ef ac yna ei reolaeth wrth fon y sgrym ddaeth ar pwyntiau agoriadol gyda Arthur Lennon yn ychwanegi y trosiad. O fewn munudau 'roedd yn arwain bylchiad ar yr ochr dywyll ddaeth a chais i'r prop Robin Glyn wedi rhediad a phas gelfydd Steffan Horan. Llwyddodd Lennon unwaith eto i ychwanegu y trosiad.
Brwydrodd y Cofis yn ôl gan sicrhau rhyw gyfran o'r meddiant gyda Michael Downey yn croesi ond yn methu a thirio. O barhau i bwyso gwelwyd symudiad addawol a welwyd Dylan Gwyn yn clymu'r amddiffyn gyda phas mewnol yn canfod y capten Iolo Hughes a lwyddodd i fylchu'r amddiffyn a sgorio cais gwych.
Yn y cyfamser 'roedd chwaraewyr Nant ar yr un donfedd, yn fentrus ac yn cefnogi yn gelfydd. Dyma ddaeth a'i trydydd cais, pan i bas anghonfensiynol Sion Pringle y cefnwr, gaeth gêm i'w chanmol, gael ei dderbyn gan y dyfarnwr i roi cais rhwydd i'r asgellwr Jack Moriarty. Trosodd Lennon eto, ac yn wir ei feistrolaeth a'i gyflymder ef greodd y bylchiad i sgorio cais unigol gwych i ddod a sgorio'r hanner i ben gan ychwanegu y trosiad i gadw ei record 100%.
Pringle oleuodd dechreuad yr ail hanner gyda bylchiad o'i hanner ei hun â adawodd llu o'i ôl ond yr rhyfeddol ni ddaeth cais. Er hyn, o barhau i bwyso llwyddodd y capten dylanwadol Ifan Lloyd Jones i fod yn yr union le, pan dasgodd pêl allan o ryc i roi cais hawdd iddo. 'Roedd ei gyfraniad yn y chwarae rhydd yn ddylanwadol a'i allu i ddwyn pêli pan yn amddiffyn yn agos sgarmesi yn ddyheug. Llwyddodd Lennon i drosi unwaith eto.
Taflwyd nifer o eilyddion i'r frwydr wedi hanner cant munud ac fe fu hyn yn gymorth i'r Cofis hawlio rhyw gymaint o gydraddoldeb pan yn sgrymio. Er hyn pan i bêl ymddangos yn annisgwyl ar ochr sgrym, Nant ymatebodd gyntaf ac o gyrraedd Lennon fe'i gwelwyd yn carlamu'n glir i sgori a throsi drwy ddefnyddio cic adlam. Fo hefyd ddaeth a sgorio Nant i derfyn gan dorri yn glir unwaith yn rhagor, ac o sgorio, cyfrannu saith pwynt ar hugain o'r cyfanswm, er i'r trosiad fethu y tro hwn.
Cafodd Caernarfon gyfnod llewyrchus am y deng munud olaf, gan bwyso yn gyson, ond bu iddynt ganfod Ifan Lloyd Jones a'r ail reng Carwyn Roberts yn ddrain cyson i'w rhwystro. Er hyn fe gafwyd y gair olaf pan i bas ryddhau yr wythwr Mac Jones yng nghanol cae, a'i rediad cryf tywyllodrus yn llwyddo i hollti'r amddiffyn i sgorio cais unigol gwych. Ychwanegodd Dominic Yau y trosiad i wneud i fyny am daro'r postyn yn dilyn y cais cyntaf.
Gellir tybio bod Nant yn anelu am bencampwriaeth arall tra gall Caernarfon gymryd cysur o wybod eu bod wedi brwydro nôl a dangos y cymeriad fydd ei angen i sicrhau clo derbyniol i'r tymor.
Caernarfon found the going tough from the off against a well drilled and focused Nant outfit who finally ran out comfortable 47 - 12 winners. The first ten minutes set the tone with Nant quicker in deed and thought and aided by a dominant scrum. Evergreen Carwyn Ellis drove purposefully in open play and scored the easiest of tries at the base of an advancing scrum after seven minutes with the extras being added by Arthur Lennon. Ellis soon set up a blind side move that saw wing Steffan Horan provide the final inside pass to prop Robin Glyn who pirouetted his way to the try line, affording Lennon another well struck conversion.
The Cofis slowly began to gain a greater share of possession and industrious scrum half Michael Downey did manage to cross the try line but was held up. However the momentum was maintained and on their next venture into opposition territory a sweeping move amongst the backs saw wing Dylan Gwyn stretch the defence before providing a timely inside pass that found onrushing captain Iolo Hughes who surged through to score. The conversion attempt from Dominic Yau on this occasion came off the upright.
The pace and apparent telepathy between everyone in a green shirt was impressive, this being demonstrated prior to scoring their third try when an unorthodox pass from competent fullback Sion Pringle found favour with the referee to provide wing Jack Moriarty with the points. Lennon again converted but minutes later his own guile and pace took him clear to score a fine individual try that he again converted to bring the first half scoring to a close.
Pringle lit up the beginning of the second half with a run from his own half that cut through the Cofi rearguard and it was surprising that a score did not ensue. However within a few minutes influential captain Ifan Lloyd Jones was in the correct place to stroll over when the ball squirmed from a ruck on the home twenty two. His contribution was significant in open play but he had the added capacity of securing turnovers when defending close to rucks and mauls. Lennon converted to maintain his 100% record.
A number of changes in personnel appeared following fifty minutes and the Cofis for once gained a far greater element of parity at scrum time. However just past sixty minutes a ball that squirmed from a stable scrum was snapped up by Nant and soon Arthur Lennon was once again on his way to score his side's sixth try. He opted for a drop kick from distance to add the extras and was again successful. Nant's final foray with ten minutes to play again saw Lennon break clear to record his personal tally of twenty seven points but on this occasion the conversion drifted wide. Caernarfon were still game enough and exerted pressure for the remainder of the game but were met by stern opposition by Ifan Lloyd Jones and mobile second row Carwyn Roberts in particular. However they did, to their credit, claim the last word, when number 8 Mac Jones latched on to a pass in midfield and powered through numerous attempts to tackle, to secure a fine individual try with Dominic Yau on this occasion bisecting the posts to add the extras.
Nant will surely march on to another league title whilst Caernarfon will not be too disheartened, for they succeeded to stem the tide and show an element of character that should stand them in good stead for the remainder of the season.
Ruthin 14 v Llangefni 24
The following report kindly supplied by Ruthin RFC.
On a lovely afternoon at Cae Ddol on a 1st team pitch which was playable on for the first time since the end of December Ruthin failed to halt their losing streak against a combative Llangefni side.
It was a game of missed opportunities on the Ruthin side and opportunities taken by the opposition. The Blues started brightly enough for the first 10 minutes or so but failed to get points on the board when a penalty kick went wide.
The visitors began to work their way into the game and pushed Ruthin back into their own 22 where flanker Tom Owen went over for an unconverted try.
The visitors were moving the ball around well and were rewarded with an odd interception of a Ruthin ball on the Blues try line which fly half Greg Horsman touched down and wing Rhys Hughes converted.
After half an hour’s play the Blues were beginning to look more competitive and from a line out on the Cefni 22 the pack drove over the line for a fine forwards try with the honours going to flanker Alex Pope and converted by fly half Nathan Jones.
There was no further score in the first half and Ruthin started the second half well with a try by 2nd row Deian Lloyd Williams, converted by Nathan and putting them 14-12 ahead.
Ruthin weren’t able to hold on to their lead for long as there was a second interception of a Ruthin ball, this time in the middle of the park and centre Richard Foulkes couldn’t be caught as he sped over the home side’s try line.
With the score 17-14 to the visitors the Blues tried to reduce the arrears but handling errors and infringements reduced their effectiveness.
The final nail in the coffin came in the 75th minute from penalty awarded to the visitors on the half way line and from the resultant line out flanker Paul Magee nipped over the line for their bonus point try and fullback Carwyn Milburn converted.
The final few minutes were a midfield struggle as the Blues tried to salvage a losers’ bonus point but it was to no avail and the game ended with Llangefni winning 24-14.
The Blues next challenge is at home to Bala on Thursday 22 February in the Conwy Land Rover North Wales Cup Quarter Final.
Llandudno 28 v Mold 12
Following report kindly supplied by Llandudno RFC.
Llandudno opened the scoring after twelve minutes of play, when from line out that Lloyd Evans touched down for a try, which Ryan Pike converted for maximum points, and it was the same player after a strong attacking movement took play into the visitors for his second try just on twenty one minutes of play with an extra two points being added by Ryan Pike with the conversion.
This first half was one of Llan in control, and on the offensive, not allowing the visitors any opportunities of putting points on the board, and they finished it strongly with a Hugh Griffith try, and Ryan Pike converting.
At this stage it looked as if they would run away with the match during the second half, and increased their lead with another try by Morgan Lloyd from the restart, which Ryan Pike again converted.
They seamed to lose their attacking momentum by giving away to many penalties, and this allowed Mold to come back at them in the final quarter of play with two tries one by Jacko Oosterhazen, and Brian Kirby, one of which was converted by Jack Pearson.
Man of the Match Morgan Owen. Match Report by Howie.
Next match on Saturday 3rd March away at Nant KO 2.30.
Caernarfon 2nds 26 v Llangefni 2nds 32
Following report kindly supplied by Llangefni RFC.
This local derby lived up to its top of the table billing, as Cefni deservedly took the spoils after a sizzling first 25 minutes had put them 26-0 ahead.
Playing down the slope, veterans Arwel Roberts at 10 and Ioan Davies at 13 made sure that Cefni were going to the right places. After a dominant Cefni scrum, Ioan Davies and then young flanker Huw Pritchard, carried into the22. Quick ruck ball and some super slick passing allowed Harry Owen to squeeze over in the corner. Arwel Roberts put over a superb conversion. The 2nd try soon followed: after some powerful surges by the pack, with Iwan Evans and Cai Oliver to the fore, some sublime interpassing in midfield enabled Arwel Roberts to sprint in from 15 metres. Again he added the difficult extras, and Cefni were 14-0 up.
Cefni were rampant at this stage , and after Iwan Evans and Sior Grieves had made inroads, Cai Oliver ran in from close range. With Roberts`extras it was 21-0. The hosts tendency to tackle high early doors led to Roberts finding touch inside the home 22. Cefni set up a driving maul which proved unstoppable as they rumbled over near the flag. 26-0
At this stage of the match Caernarfon seemed to realise that they had to up their game, and may be Cefni thought the game was won . The result was a try near the posts for the Cofis, and so7-26. Then Cefni were guilty of some wayward clearance kicks which allowed the Cofis to set up camp in the away 22. Their efforts were rewarded when they moved the ball left where 2nd row Rhys Jones was able to crash over at the flag. 12-26 at the break.
As Caernarfon were fiest to score in the 2nd period with another converted try, it was really game on at 19-26. Cefni`s experience in midfield was crucial at this stage with Sior Grieves making several breaks. Cefni had found another gear again, and their pressure led to a 3 pointer for Arwel Roberts , 19-29. Then Roberts cemented his man of the match display with a powerful break from his 22 to over half way. The move was carried on towards the 22 from where Roberts stroked over another 3 pointer, for a personal tally of 17 points !!
Caernarfon responded with another try, after a clever high kick was not dealt with on the Cefni line and the Cofis had another 7 pointer. Although, it was only a 6 point lead, Cefni managed the closing minutes well and were worthy winners, if only for their super rugby in the 1st quarter.
Rhosllanerchrugog 14 v Dinbych 2nds 14
Following report kindly supplied by Dinbych RFC.
A draw at Rhos seemed like a defeat for an inexperienced Dinbych Seconds side at the end of a srappy Division 3 North encounter. They had led their hosts until late in the second half only to allow Rhos to score to late tries to draw level.
Even at that stage Dinbych thought they had snatched a victory in the final minutes of the match when right wing Aidyn Jones went over for what would have been his hat trick and winning try only for it to be disallowed as he had put a foot in touch on his run to the line.
A bulkier Rhos side had the edge in the set piece giving them more possession and territory but Dinbych were fiercely competitive at the breakdown and their aggressive tackling kept the hosts at bay. Young props Tom and Joe Davies led their driving play in the loose and half backs Wil Morris and Iwan Johnson were always looking for opportunities to attack.
It was Johnson who initiated Dinbych's opening score as he launched a counter attack from his own 22 before releasing Aidyn Jones on a long run to score under the posts which full back and skipper Tom Evans duly converted.
This proved to be the only score of the first half leaving Dinbych with a seven point lead at half time.
Dinbych increased their lead early in the second with a well worked try with good handling by the midfield backs creating the overlap for Aidyn Jones to go over for his second try again converted by Tom Evans.
Rhos continued to have the lion's share of possession and territory but were kept in check by Dinbych's tight defence. Unfortunately Dinbych were never able to develop any momentum as they conceded too many penalties whilst their basic handling errors squandered too much hard earned possession.
Still leading towards the end they then failed to halt a driving maul from a close range line out to concede a converted try and compounded this just before the end as Rhos gained their equalising score with a converted try from a break from the side of a maul just outside the 22.
Dinbych then thought they had won the game in the final minutes with a long touchline run by Aidyn Jones beating the covering Rhos defence to cross in the corner and touch down under the posts only to be recalled for his foot in touch on the way to the line.
There are no events to show yet.