A round up of match reports from games this weekend involving the clubs of North and Mid Wales.
Y BALA – 14 v NANT CONWY – 35
[Adran 1 y Gogledd / Division 1 North]
Trefn y sgorio a'r sgorwyr / Scoring Sequence and scorers:
3m: 5 – 0 Dewi Atherton & 7 – 0 Rhydian Jones, 10m: 7 – 5 SION PRINGLE & 7 – 7 STEFFAN HORAN, 30m: 7 – 10 STEFFAN HORAN, 37m: 7 – 13 STEFFAN HORAN, 40m:
7 – 18 SION PRINGLE
53m: 7 – 23 GUTO DAFYDD, 63m: 12 – 23 Dewi Atherton & 14 – 23 Rhydian Jones, 66m:
10 – 28 STEFFAN HORAN, 33m: 14 – 33 CARON DAVIES & 14 – 35 STEFFAN HORAN
Dyfarnwr / Referee: Mr Gareth Edwards, Abergele
Ar ddiwrnod pur wlyb, dechreuodd pac y tîm cartref ar dan a gwthiwyd trosodd yn fuan gyda’r hannerwr, Dewi’n sgorio cais ger y pyst a Rhydian yn ei drosi. Ond, mewm ymateb, daeth cefnwyr Nant i’r amlwg gyda Sion yn chwarae maswr eleni yn rhuthro heibio holl amddiffyn y Bala gyda’r asgellwr Steffan yn trosi. Gwelwyd ychydig o daclo uchel gan y tîm cartref a chosbwyd dwy ohonynt drwy giciau cosb llwyddiannus Steffan. Yn union cyn yr hanner, llwyddodd Sion i dorri’n rhydd unwaith eto gan blymio trosodd ar yr asgell am gais i’w gwneud yn 7 – 18 ar yr hanner.
Yr hannerwr arall, Guto, sgoriodd gais cyntaf yr ail hanner a’r tro hwn, trawodd ymgais Steffan union bechan uchaf un o’r pyst!. Dri chwarter ffordd drwy’r gêm, sgoriwyd cais tebyg iw un cyntaf gan y tîm cartref gyda’r un dau sgoriwr. Ond, dri munud yn ddiweddarach, dyna gyflymder Steffan ar yr asgell dda’n gwibio heibio pawb i sgorio cais i roi’r ymwelwyr ymhellach ar y blaen. Saith munud cyn y diwedd, cyrhaeddodd cais haeddiannol i Caron, y Canolwr a throsodd Steffan gan roi sgôr derfynol o 14 – 35 gyda phwynt bonws am sgorio 4 cais neu fwy.
Bro Ffestiniog gartref fydd y gwrthwynebwyr yr wythnos nesaf.
On a rather wet afternoon, the home team pack began strongly and early in the match powered their way over the line for scrum-half Dewi to touch down – a try converted by Rhydian. But, in reponse, Nant’ backs became more and more prominent with Sion, playing as a Fly Half, rushing past the entire home defence to score a try for winger Steffan to convert and equal the scores. Some ‘high’ tackles by the Bala side were punished by two successful penalty kicks by Steffan. On half time,, Sion managed to cut loose again and touched down in the left wing corner to give a 7 – 18 score at the interval.
It was Guto, the Scrum half who scored the next try and this time, Steffan’s attempt to convert hit the top of the right hand post! Three quarters way through the match, the home side scored a replica try of their first one with the same two scorers. But, three minutes later, Steffan thwarted any chance of a comeback with a fast run on the right wing to put the visitors further ahead. With seven minutes left to play, a deserved try arrived for strong running Centre, Caron. Steffan completed the scoring with his conversion and give Nant a win by 14 – 35 with a bonus point for scoring 4 tries or more.
Next week, it will be Bro Ffestiniog who will be welcomed to Pant Carw for a League match.
Canlyniadau eraill / Other results:
TEIRW NANT 17 v Bangor -10 (Adran 2 y Gogledd / Division 2 North)
Sgorwyr Teirw Nant scorers:
Ceisiau / Tries: JAC METCALFE, LLION JONES & ELIS FON
Trosiad / Conversion: GWION ELLIS-JONES
Ieuenctid Bangor Youth – 7 v Ieuenctid Nant Conwy Youths – 59
(Chwaraewyd 07.09.18 / Played 07.09.18)
(Cynghrair Ieu. y Gogledd Orllewin / North West Youth League)
Sgorwyr Ieu. Nant Conwy Youths scorers:
Ceisiau / Tries: SAM DUNCALFE [4], DEIAN ROBERTS [2], TRYSTAN JONES [2] & YNYR ROBERTS
Trosi / Conversions: JAC ELLIS [7]
[Ifor Glyn]
Ruthin 37 v Mold 8
Following report kindly supplied by Ruthin RFC.
Rhuthun got off to a good start in the first home game of the season against Mold when after an interception in mid field centre Gethin Hughes ran the full length of the pitch to score his 93rd try for the club with full back Dyfan Humphreys converting.
For the majority of the rest of the 1st half the game was a tussle between two fairly evenly matched sides with neither side being able to penetrate solid defences.
Mold had an opportunity with a penalty goal kick to narrow the gap but the ball went wide.
Towards half time the Blues began to mount more effective attacks and eventually they fought their way through the Mold defence and released winger Josh Wilson to go over the whitewash.
The whistle blew for half time with Rhuthun leading 12-0.
The Blues came out with some urgency after the break and within minutes Humphreys was over the try line converting his own try.
Playing with more confidence the home side were putting some good phase lay together and around 10 minutes into the 2nd half Bryn Sheppard got their bonus point try.
Two more tries were to follow with Humphreys and Josh Wilson both getting their second and Humphreys converting.
Mold never gave up but couldn’t get past solid Blues defence but were rewarded on the 80th minute with a try from Danny Williams converted by Morgan Johnson.
The final score was 38-7 to Ruthin and sealed a good day for the club with youth winning 51-0 against Rhyl and second team winning 116-10 away at Flint.
Bala 2nds v Wrexham 2nds - match report
Not sure what the final score was but it's a win for the visitors and a win for rugby. Sounds like a great game.
Hurricane Wrexham blew into Bala on Saturday with Wrexham Seconds notching up their first win of the season. The team was fired up by the two elements always guaranteed to add additional levels of enthusiasm – absolute torrential rain and only having 13 players.
In the changing room captain Danny Guy and reluctant player coach Mike Powell had a good think about which backs flair and pace would be put to best use in the front row of the scrum. With the golden 13 in place we few, we happy few, we band of brothers stepped out onto the pitch with a donated Bala player included for good measure.
The game started with the unusual step of the ref suggesting we call her by her first name. This led to a lot of confusion and many simply opted to call her ‘sir’. Both sides attacked well under wet conditions with Bala’s electric scrumhalf causing a lot of worries for Wrexham with sniping runs from the base of the scrum and rapidly taken tap penalties.
Wrexham had some good runs with Sion Lloyd Jones orchestrating the backs to open up lines for Tom Robinson, Pete Aitkin and Ryan Foulkes. The uncontested nature of the scrums meant that the number 8 couldn’t pick up at the base. This caused intense confusion to the Bala front row who were apoplectic every time the Wrexham Number 8 and 9 changed places for what was meant to be a sneaky attack.
Bala got the first try of the game with a well worked try which put their centre and newest player in the corner with the conversion missed. Wrexham piled the pressure on and worked their way into the Bala 22. Tom Robinson took the ball up the centre but once again, the Bala defence held him up and looked to be on for a turnover.
Some herculean driving from Adam Jones and Dylan Hills took the maul over the Bala try line and the seconds league had the closest thing they had to a TMO as the referee left the pitch to consult with the assessor. Much debate was had, a coin was tossed and Wrexham got the scrum and began another attack. Scott Davis barracked his way through a few tackles to set up a ruck 10 yards from the Bala try line.
Mike Powell reached in to set up a back move of glorious flair and beauty; however Keir Harding whipped the ball from in front of his hands and flopped over the line with the elegance of an elderly relative having a fall.
Bala struck back immediately, claiming the restart, thumping down the pitch with big forwards and breaking off a ruck to go under the posts. The conversion was missed but Bala sneaked a penalty late in the half.
The game restarted 13 – 7 to Bala. Wrexham put some of the effort they’d used shouting at the ref in the first half into making some tackles and they kept Bala pinned in their half for much of the game. There were no tries to be had but Ryan Foulkes had brought his kicking boots and slotted over 2 difficult kicks from distance. Pete Aitkin had been rewarded for his performance in the backs by being put in the second row and he had the unenviable task of chasing Keir Harding up and down the field.
Bala came close to a good attacking platform with a lineout 10 yards from Wrexham’s line. As their jumper soared, claimed the ball and presented it for his scrumhalf, there were howls of outrage as Harding whipped the ball from his grasp and set off down the field. Dave Thomas put in some fearsome rucking and Joss Stott made a mockery of his injured status by gliding up the pitch handing off all and sundry.
Stott came into the lineout for a special move where the plan was for him to win the lineout, then Wrexham would drive the ball the length of the field. Stott came into the line, was hurled into the stratosphere by his lifters then.....threw the ball into the unexpecting arms of the scrumhalf who was buried in a tackle and watched in confusion as the Wrexham pack drove a balless Joss Stott up the pitch with wild abandon. This exemplary play earned Stott the dick of the day award in the club later.
John Gormley distributed some good ball for Wrexham which put them in good attacking positions that led to Bala infringements. Foulkes 2 penalties had allowed Wrexham to tie the score and the tension was ratcheted up a few notches as the ref awarded a penalty to Wrexham on the 10 yard line for the final play of the game. Foulkes stepped up again and with a gale blowing in his face, slotted over the winning kick.
Standout moments for Wrexham included decrepit old men doing lots of running, tackling that hurt to watch from Tom Robinson and a master class in kicking from Ryan Foulkes. The game was played in great spirit and Wrexham extend their thanks for Bala both for the way they played and for lending us a player. Respective man of the match awards went to the Bala scrumhalf and Wrexham No 8/Scrumhalf Keir Harding.
Next week Wrexham travel to Ruthin and will be looking to improve in many areas, not least having at least another 2 players.
Mold 2nds 10 v Dinbych 2nds 45
Following report kindly supplied by Dinbych RFC.
Below is the Match Report from yesterday's Division 3 North fixture between Mold 2nd XV and Clwb Rygbi Dinbych 2nd XV, with Aron Evans holding the ball in at the back of the scrum prior to him touching down for his opening try (attached photograph).
Dinbych looked to continue their form from last weekends nail bitting win over Menai Bridge when they travelled to Mold RFC for the hosts opening game of the 2018/19 season.
The Dragons started brightly and pushed Mold back into their own 22, a grubber ahead from Full Back Tom Wynne was kicked back over the dead ball line by the Mold covering defence gifting Dinbych an attacking scrum 5metres out. Dinbych’s front row of Lewys Eden, Roger Clayton and Peter Shoosmith attacked the Mold scrum and as they rumbled towards the try line it left an easy pick up for No.8 Aron Evans to score his opening try of the afternoon. Scrum Half Robyn Cartwright pulling the conversion wide.
Next to cross for a try was Full Back Tom Wynne, returning from injury the youngsters quick reaction snapped up a ball from a ruck in Mold’s 22 and he went over for a poachers try. Converted by Fly Half Iwan Johnson.
The hosts then hit back with an unconverted try following some sustained pressure in Dinbych’s 22, however the visitors soon struck back with an excellent finish from Winger Findlay Jenkins. A panicked kick from Mold was fielded by Prop Lewys Eden and he carried strongly towards their line. The resulting quick ball to Winger Findlay Jenkins saw him crash between four covering defenders to score a fine try. Converted by Robyn Cartwright.
At the interval Dinbych were leading 19-5, but it was the home side which took the initiative. The hosts pressure finally told with a try from close range, their conversion unsuccessful.
Dinbych secured a bonus point with a fine break from Inside Centre Andrew Wilson, loose ball from Mold was quickly recycled and passed wide for Wilson to outpace the covering defence and go over for Dinbych’s fourth try of the afternoon. The conversion from in front of the posts easily slotted over by Robyn Cartwright.
Sensing more scoring opportunities, the next try ended with an excellent pick up from Winger Dylan Easton. Full Back Tom Wynne again making use of his right foot to slot a grubber kick down the line. Speedster Easton out paced and out muscled the retreating Mold winger to scoop the ball up and finish an excellent score in the corner. Conversion unsuccessful.
Continued pressure from Dinbych saw them break from halfway, Winger Dylan Easton looping around for what looked like his second try of the afternoon before he offloaded unselfishly to No.8 Aron Evans. Scrum Half Cartwright splitting the posts for a successful conversion.
The final try for Dinbych began with an outstanding break from replacement Prop Brychan Ap Geraint, returning from injury the front row forward rolled back the years as he scythed through the home defence and with No.8 Aron Evans on his shoulder Ap Geraint put the youngster in for his hat trick try of the afternoon. Converted by Robyn Cartwright.
Back to back bonus point wins for Dinbych see’s them sit at the summit of Division 3 North following the opening two fixtures. Next weekend the Dragons host Benllech RFC in the opening round of the WRU National Bowl.
Pwllheli 43 v Caernarfon 14
Following report kindly supplied by Caernarfon RFC.
This North Wales Division 1 encounter kept the crowd entertained as both teams endeavoured to attack from all phases of play in a pre season friendly type manner throughout. Pwllheli however were doing so constantly off front foot ball and drew away in the second period to earn a well deserved victory to set themselves up once again as one of the leagues probable front runners.
A bright opening afforded the Cofis two attempts at penalty conversions but the latter drifted wide after the former had rebounded off the upright. Pwllheli also failed to convert their opening opportunity.
Caernarfon were given a taste of what was to follow when impressive flanker Caron Jones broke clear and was halted just inches short. Continued pressure however saw swift handling amongst the backs see slick and smooth centre Deio Brunelli break clear to open the scoring after twelve minutes. Five minutes later good support play coupled with slick and direct handling saw scrum half Gwilym Sion receive the final pass to double Pwllheli's lead despite a fine covering tackle by Cofi flanker Sion Wyn Roberts.
The Cofis attempted valiantly to get back on terms with centre Dafydd Williams aggressive but numerous balls were lost in the tackle area, thus preventing concerted forward momentum. In comparison another Gwilym Sion break in Cofi territory found speedy Caron Jones at hand to burst clear to score Pwllheli's third try on twenty eight minutes with stand off Mathew Parry on this occasion adding the extras.
With half time approaching it was imperative for the Cofis to stem the flow and this they succeeded in doing following running a quick tap penalty in the danger zone. Although the initial thrust was thwarted a returned inside pass saw second row Ilan Davies take the ball at pace and charge over close to the posts. This effort was added to by utility back Aled Jones.
Had the score remained at seventeen seven at the break Caernarfon may possibly have posed a sterner test during the second forty but one lapse of concentration on the stroke of half time saw the Pwllheli pack utilise their forward power with Number 8, Tom Parry surfacing triumphantly after having grounded beyond the whitewash. Mathew Parry added his second conversion to bring the half to a close and grant Pwllheli a seventeen points lead.
The second period followed a similar free flowing pattern with John Pugh's aggression and pace coming to the fore. A run from well within his own half left numerous would be tacklers wrong footed and on facing his final hurdle two Caernarfon defenders got in each others way meaning that he broke through to score a fine individual try. Parry again added the extras. The Cofis however kept plugging away with Mac Jones to the fore and were rewarded when concerted pressure and good close quarter interlinking saw Ilan Davies once more charge towards the line and just squeeze over. Aled Jones was again successful with the conversion.
Both coaching teams could be proud of the fitness levels shown by their respective squads as the ball kept being spread wide at nearly every opportunity. The inclusion of Cofi replacement Tomos Huw also showed that numerous youngsters have a hunger and the ability to play effectively at this level. Pwllheli were however securing more front foot ball with Mathew Parry linking well with debutant Ap Myrddin junior in midfield to create space out wide. Such a ploy resulted in two late Pwllheli tries both scored by fleet of foot John Pugh. The former when supporting his winger on the inside and then on full time beating the cover to squeeze in at the corner. Mathew Parry notched his fourth conversion when converting Pugh's second try of the game.
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