Some great games took place on the opening weekend of the season and here are a few reports.
If you have a match report which you would like included, please email the details to gwcymru1@aol.com and they will be uploaded with pleasure.
Benllech 7 v Machynlleth 68
Benllech started their first league game of the season with high hopes as they entertained Machynllech at home in Amlwch. The pitch looked great after all the work the club has put in over the last couple of weeks, now a full size pitch with great looking posts.
The gulls had a good squad but it was apparent quite early on that the visitors were much more clinical in their backline. Machynllech attacked with precision and with great speed making it hard for the gulls.
Benllech defended well for the first 15 minutes but failed to look after the ball sufficiently at a ruck only 10 yards from their own line and with a quick turnover Mach went over the line for their first try. It only took one or two missed tackles and dummy passes for Machynllech to go over twice more to make the score 0-21.
Benllech responded well with a few half breaks from Shaun Pritchard (Huws Grey) and Jonny Jones (The Gift House) in the backs. Gwyndaf Williams (Rich Wills Fitness) also made a few decent breaks but the gulls failed to cross the line despite having 4 good set piece opportunities in the opposition 22. The first half ended at 0-21 to the visitors.
This put piles of pressure on the gulls as the second half would be up hill and into the wind. Despite the forwards knuckling down and good hard hitting from Terry Hughes (CJS Painting and Decorating), Robbie Cole (MDH Joinery) and Byron Hughes (Nova Project Management Services) it was mostly all about Machynllech.
They seemed to turn up the pressure and scored too many times all too easily. Benllech did manage to get into the machynllech danger zone a few times, and did manage to maintain composure for Dafydd Jon (MG Roofing) to power over the line.
Final score 7-68
Man of the match Robbie Cole
A lot for benllech to work on for their short trip up the road to Holyhead next Saturday.
Dinbych 2nds 28 v Menai Bridge 27
Following report kindly supplied by Dinbych RFC.
Clwb Rygbi Dinbych Seconds took on Menai Bridge in their first game of the season with a mix of experience and youth. Playing downhill in the first half Dinbych applied all the pressure and after the 10 minute they were rewarded with the first try when fly-half Jac Jones stepped inside his opposite number to score under the posts, Jones converted his own try.
Menai Bridge bounced back when their prop went over for a try which went unconverted. Dinbych then scored two quick unconverted tries, one from lively scrum half Iwan Johnson from close range, followed by an excellent team try, No.10 Jac Jones chipped over the defence for centre Ethan Morris to gather and pop the ball to his fellow centre David Devine who ran in under the posts.
Just before half time Menai Bridge hit back with a well worked try which was converted to make the half time score 17-12 to Denbigh.
The second half started with Menai Bridge making all the running and they were rewarded with a try after 5 minutes of the half that went unconverted. With the score at 17 all Dinbych were awarded a penalty following a scrum which No.10 Jac Jones slotted away. Back came Menai Bridge with another unconverted try. Denbigh then scored a their fourth try when full-back Owen Jones released wing Findlay Jenkins to score in the corner.
Dinbych were then caught offside at a ruck and Menai Bridge took advantage by scoring a penalty to go 27-25 ahead with two minutes to go. However Denbigh didn’t throw in the towel and with a minute to go they secured a penalty from another excellent scrum, which No.10 Jac Jones kept his cool to score giving Denbigh an opening day win of 28-27. The victory was built on a solid scrum and forward play and particular mention must go to second row Ryan Howatson and No.8 Arwyn Williams
Dinbych 26 v Bala 25
Following report kindly supplied by Dinbych RFC.
In a free flowing and highly competitive encounter Dinbych opened their campaign in Division 1 with a nail biting win against a Bala side which scored a try with the last move of the match but unfortunately missed the conversion leaving Dinbych the victors by the narrowest of margins by twenty six points to twenty five.
Bala started the stronger and had the better of both territory and possession in the first quarter thanks to their strong scrummaging which pressurised Dinbych whilst they retained possession from their work at the breakdown and their excellent support play as they went through multiple phases of play. A fine defensive effort by Dinbych however held them at bay until the 20th minute when lock and skipper Moi Dafydd forced his way over for an unconverted try following a ruck in the Dinbych 22 set up by a driving maul from a line out. Bala extended their lead seven minutes later when full back Rhydian Jones kicked a penalty from 20 metres after Dinbych had offended at a breakdown.
Dinbych then began to force their way back into the game in the second quarter launching attacks through their dangerous backs. They eventually replied just before the interval after a number of attacks into the Bala 22. After full back Gruff Roberts cut inside to set up a ruck, lock and captain Narmer El Lamie broke through the middle finding livewire flanker Dafydd Evans in support to go over for an unconverted try.
Trailing by eight points to five at half time Dinbych then suffered a blow in the opening minutes of the second half when lock Gareth Beach making a welcome return after injury was adjudged to have deliberately knocked on as he attempted to intercept a Bala pass on halfway leading to a yellow card. This proved costly as Bala used their man advantage to score two tries in quick succession.
With Bala exerting heavy pressure in the Dinbych 22 they went further ahead in the 50th minute when centre Miallt Roberts capitalised on a period of heavy pressure to go over for a try converted by Rhydian Jones. Even worse was to follow as Bala scored from the restart kick when Dinbych failed to clear a speculative kick ahead near to their line leading to wing Elgan Davies going over for an unconverted try .
Now trailing by fifteen points Dinbych then showed their resilient character as they responded midway through the half with a burst of three tries to turn the match around. First they turned over possession at a scrum on halfway to launch an attack down the left and slick handling by the backs created the opportunity for replacement scrum half Jordan Wynne to recycle from a ruck near touch on the Bala 22 to put centre Tom Seddon over for a try in the corner. Co-centre Owain Davies converted with an excellent kick from the touchline.
Dinbych reduced the deficit to a single point when they launched a long range attack from their half when Kieran Bonar did well to gather a diagonal kick by Garin Roberts under intense pressure near the touchline on the Bala 10 metre line to offload to fellow wing Aidyn Jones who then found Jordan Wynne on the inside to score a try again converted by Owain Davies.
Now only a point adrift Dinbych then went ahead for the first time from another long range counter attack when the imperious Gareth Beach stole possession from Bala at a line out on half way to release the backs with Gruff Roberts cutting inside before offloading to Tom Seddon to go over for his second try again converted by Owain Davies.
Behind for the first time in the match and with time running out Bala threw everything into attack as they hammered away at the home line but were met with a fierce defensive effort by Dinbych who held out until the final minute when flanker Arfon Roberts forced his way over for a try after a number of short range rucks which drew them to within a point of Dinbych only for the conversion to drift wide and bring the match to a dramatic close.
Caernarfon 28 v Llangefni 20
Following report kindly supplied by Caernarfon RFC.
It was a day of 1st’s - the first day of a new season, the first day of the month, and potentially a first win for either team.
With the pitch in excellent condition both teams and supporters alike were looking forward to a good contest and we were not disappointed.
It was the visitors who gained the early ascendancy but the Cofis managed to clear their line by securing turnover ball and counterattack from deep, but a wayward pass or a loose hand would be their downfall, and it was the visitors who scored first from a penalty converted by Rhys Hughes.
This then rallied the Cofis and within 5 minutes winger Dylan Gwyn crossed for a try, converted by Dafydd Ll. Williams, to make the score 7-3. Williams soon converted another penalty to make it 10-3.
With both teams willing to spread the ball it provided a good period of play, with Cefni next to score a try by Ieuan Evans, with Hughes converting, to tie at 10-10. Following a scrum on Cefni’s 10 metre line a pick up by no 8 Mac Jones and after avoiding a number of would be tacklers crossed over under the posts, with Williams adding the extras, making the score 17-10 at half time..
Cefni started well in the second half and Ieuan Evans scored his second try which Hughes converted to make it 17-17. Another penalty was converted by Hughes to make it 20-17 to the visitors. However the last 1/4 was the turning point for the Cofis, as they gained the ascendancy in the scrum with Armando Morgan prominent, and scrum half Gareth Patchett probing, and following a quick tap penalty he was able to release the ball to Shaun Owen who scored in the corner, with the Cofis now back in front at 22-20.
Cefni then had a forward yellow carded and from the resulting penalty Williams secured another 3 points to make it 25-20, and added another before the final whistle to make it 28-20to the home side.
Caernarfon 2nd XV were at Llandudno and secured a 31-10 win.
Next up for the Cofis is a trip to Pwllheli, with the 2nds at home to Dolgellau and the Youth team play their first fixture at Llangefni.
Bethesda 34 v 8 Bro Ffestiniog
Following report kindly supplied by Bro Ffestiniog RFC.
Bethesda secured a bonus point win in this first match between the Quarrymen of the new season. Man of the match Gethin Long scoring twice and also added 14 points with his boots.
Both sides took a while to settle from the kick off but it was Bethesda who were dominating the early exchanges.
Bro were penalised for offside but Long failed to convert the penalty from 28m.
The hosts continued to pressurise and went through the phases but against the run of play Bro pounced on a loose ball, centre Aron Humphreys put Rhodri Williams through and the right wing ran 60m through several tackles to score out wide. Fly half Huw James failed to add the conversion.
Bethesda continued to pressurise and put Bro on the back foot. Another penalty against Bro was taken quickly and Long crossed over for his first and added the extras.
Long and James exchanged a penalty each and the sides went into the break with the score at 10-8.
Besda went close soon after the re-start but for a knock on within meters of the try line.
Another Long penalty extended the home sides lead but Bro were very much still in the match.
Ffestiniog went close through well worked phase play but a turnover close to the try line and Besda were able to clear.
Another penalty against Bro was missed by Long from 38m.
Bro were then awarded a penalty of their own and kicked for touch. From the lineout Bro spread the ball one way then the other and it was only excellent defensive work from the hosts that kept them out.
The final quarter of the match saw Bro falter slighlty and a defensive scrum 5 was awarded to Besda. The ball was passed to Long who ran upfield before offloading to wing Rhys Jones to score under the posts. Long adding the conversion.
Minutes later from a lineout fly half Gerwyn Thomas scythed his way through Bro's defence to cross over again Long adding the conversion.
The bonus point try came within minutes from full time. Turnover ball was won by Besda on the half way line an Long sidestepped his way through some weak tackles to score and convert the try.
While the scoreline flatters the home side most of the match was a more even affair but Besda were much stronger in the final 20 minutes and deservedly won a very entertaining match and a great start to their season.
Bro will have to re-gather themselves for a tough encounter at home to Denbigh next week kick off 2:30pm
Mold 17 v Llandudno 42
Following report kindly supplied by Llandudno RFC.
The goats demolished the home side in this first match of the new season, with a first class team performance, gaining maximum points from five tries scored.
From the start they took the match to the opposition putting them on the defence, and just on eighteen minutes of play had crossed the home side try line with three tries by Rhys Henederson, Oscar Lennon and Nick Dundee, with Ryan Pike converting two of the tries, and one penalty.
The home side did respond before half time with a try by Daniel Williams which Jack Martin converted. Ryan Pike increased there lead at the start of the second period of play with a penalty conversion.
Mold for a short period came back into the match with a penalty by Jack Martin, but this only spurred the Goats to take more control of proceedings, pinning them back within there own twenty two meter area, and it was Lewis Jones who crashed over the try line for a touch down, with Pike adding two more points with the conversion, and he followed this up shortly afterwards with a penalty conversion.
They continued to press for maximum match points, and it was from a telling break by Byron Davies, that his cousin Bob Davies was up in support to take a try scoring pass touching down near the posts with Ryan Pike converted, giving the Goats final match winning points.
The home side did manage to have the final say of the match with a try by Alan Green which Jack Martin converted.
The Goats have no match next Saturday due to Shotton having pulled out of Division One North,there next match is away to Caernarfon on the 15th Sept.
Match Report by Howie, Tel 01492 338412.
Dinbych 2nds 28 v Menai Bridge 27
Following report kindly supplied by Menai Bridge RFC.
It was only a point that separated the two sides in a very entertaining season opener. Denbigh came out on top, thanks to a penalty at the close, which was coolly slotted over to take the match and delight the home crowd.
Denbigh started the game with purpose and pressed hard for an opening try, when their fly half dummied his way in through the Bridge defence. The try was converted for a 7 to nil lead. Bridge bounced back with a try for prop Williams, taking the score to 7 -5. Denbigh then took control of the game with a pair of tries, one for their lively scrum half and another for their centre, running deep from his own half. The gap was narrowed as Bridge closed the half with a try from Captain Dion McGrath.
Bridge started the second half well and were rewarded by a try for debutant flanker Nick Stevenson. Denbigh hung in with a penalty to retake the lead, then Bridge scrum half Gareth Parry scored taking the score to 20 -24. The game continued to see saw with the lead changing as Denbigh scored a further try, then McGrath taking a penalty for Bridge. With a couple of minutes to go Bridge were ahead by two points. Denbigh pressurised well and a failure to clear their lines cost Bridge. Denbigh secured a scrum, which lead to a penalty which sealed the game at 28 - 27.
Dolgellau 26 v Colwyn Bay 3
Following report kindly supplied by Dolgellau RFC.
Dolgellau got the new season off to the perfect start with a hard-fought win against their fellow relegation rivals from last season.
Dolgellau struggled for the first quarter of the match and could not hold on to the limited possession they had against a well drilled visiting pack who put Dolgellau under pressure in the set pieces, and generally spoiled matters around the fringes very efficiently.
However the break-through came after twenty five minutes. Scrum half, Lewis Jones slipping a perfectly timed pass to prop Eon Williams to burst through and find full-back, Rob Pugh to score in the right corner. Wing James Owen converted from the touchline to put Dolgellau 7-0 ahead. It was the only score of a pretty even first half.
Colwyn Bay prop, Krystan Yeoman’s spectacular sprint up the right touchline, deserved a score, but support was slow in arriving and the chance went begging. Dolgellau capitalised on this let-off and after ten minutes, stand-off, Dafydd Roberts’ deft chip was re-gathered and punted ahead from half way, the ball was gathered by flying centre, Eben Jones who sprinted home under the posts for a great score. Owen converted to put Dolgellau 14-0 ahead.
Bay stand-off, Ben Brummitt brought the visitors back into contention with a penalty, but Dolgellau were by now finding gaps in the visiting defence and they finished strongly. Prop, Eon Williams, finding full-back Rob Pugh and he found wing James Owen to go over in the left corner and make the score 19-3. With injury time approaching, wing Rhys Lewis’ gallop up-field found replacement Dafydd Ellis at pace resulting in youngster, Arron Jones, going over for the try with his first touch of the ball on his senior debut. Owen again converted to make the score 26-3.
Dolgellau 2nd XV also got their league campaign off to a winning start beating Welshpool 2nd XV by 59-19. Youngster , Jake Hinge crossed for four tries, and there was one apiece to Steffan Jones, Gerallt Hughes and Peter Blake, with Hinge adding the extras.
There are no events to show yet.