A round up of match reports from games involving the clubs of North and Mid Wales.
If you have a match report that you would like adding to this round-up, please email the details to gwcymru1@aol.com and they will be added with pleasure
Ruthin 22 v Bala 13 - match report
Following report and picture kindly supplied by Ruthin RFC.
Bala started strongly in this Division 1 North match at Cae Ddol but Rhuthun weathered their attack and began to forage in Bala’s half themselves. After a period of Blues pressure centre Gethin Hughes went over the try line but were judged to have infringed and Bala were awarded a penalty.
Bala were unable to gain any advantage from the penalty and the Blues came back in to the attack and this time Hughes got his try. Defences were in the ascendancy for much of the rest of the half as both sides put the pressure on. After a period of good Blues containing defence in midfield Bala were awarded a penalty and centre Rhydian Jones kicked accurately over the posts.
Almost immediately after the restart Rhuthun charged down a Bala kick and centre Emyr Gwynedd nipped over for a try which full back Dyfan Humphreys converted. The whistle blew for half time with Rhuthun 12-3 ahead.
Bala started the second half in the same way as the first and again the Blues defence held until play moved the visitors’ half and second row Chris Davies scored with Humphreys converting. The Blues then had to defend for long periods as Bala tried to reduce the arrears.
Eventually after around 60 minutes Rhydian ran round the Rhuthun defence and scored the visitors’ 1st try. He made a similar move about 15 minutes later and scored again and with the score now 19-13 with 5 minutes to go the match outcome was looking a little less certain.
However the Blues were awarded a penalty inside Bala’s half and Humphreys slotted over a pressure penalty goal to widen the gap and within a few minutes full time was called with Ruthin winning 22-13.
Nant Conwy 37 v Bro Ffestiniog 8
Following report kindly supplied by Nant Conwy RFC.
Trefn y sgorio a'r sgorwyr / Scoring Sequence and scorers:
15m: 3 – 0 STEFFAN HORAN, 19m: 3 – 3 Huw James, 24m: 3 – 8 Dewi James, 30m: 8 – 8 CARON DAVIES & 10 – 8 STEFFAN HORAN, 40m: 15 – 8 IFAN WILLIAMS
41m: 20 – 8 IFAN JONES, 45m: 25 – 8 CARON DAVIES & 27 – 8 CARON DAVIES, 53m:
32 –8 GETHIN ROBERTS, 80m: 37 – 8 GWYNFOR MORRIS
Dyfarnwr / Referee: Ms Amanda Leah, Cyffordd Llandudno Junction
Gyda Nant yn chwarae tîm gydag Ifan Williams [Ieuenctid y tymor diwethaf] yn ymddangos am y tro cyntaf erioed i’r tîm cyntaf a Will Small [Teirw Nant]yn ymddangos fel eilydd am y tro cyntaf, llwyddwyd i ennill gêm gystadleuol. Bro oedd yn ymosod fwyaf yn y chwarter cyntaf ond cyrhaeddwyd y pwynt hwnnw gyda thriphwynt yr un gyda chiciau cosb llwyddiannus. Wedi cyfnod o bwyso trwm gan yr ymwelwyr, cyrhaeddodd eu cais haeddiannol trwy i’r blaenwyr wthio trosodd â Dewi’n codi wedi tirio’r bêl. Wedi hanner awr, daeth y sgôr yn gyfartal unwaith eto wedi cais arall gan Caron, a oedd yn chwarae fel maswr heddiw. Hwyliodd yr ymgais am drosiad trwy’r pyst ac yn amser ychwanegol yr hanner cyntaf braf oedd gweld y rhif 6, Ifan, yn sgorio cais yn ei gêm gyntaf gan roi sgôr o 15 – 8 ar yr hanner.
Prin oedd yr ail hanner wedi dechrau pan dorrodd Ifan, y capten a’r canolwr drwy’r amddiffyn i sgorio cais yn y gornel dde. Bum munud yn ddiweddarach, wele Caron yn sgorio’i ail gais o’r gêm. Trosodd Caron ei gais ei hun.Yna, wele’r eilydd o asgellwr chwith, Gethin, yn dangos ei ddawn i orffen symudiad trwy sgorio cais yn y gornel chwith. Roedd y chwarae ar fin dod i ben gyda’r ddau dîm bellach i lawr i 14 dyn yr un, pan wthiodd pac Nant trosodd a Gwynfor, y prop, yn codi’n wên i gyd ar ôl sgorio’i gais cyntaf o’r tymor newydd.
Llangefni i ffwrdd fydd y gwrthwynebwyr yr wythnos nesaf.
With Nant introducing brand new players to the 1st Team (Ifan Williams – a flanker playing for nant youths last season and Will Small – Teirw Nant’s Hooker on the bench) another competitive match was won. Bro were the most impressive during the first quarter but that period ended all square with both sides converting penalty kicks.
After a period of immense pressure by Bro, a deserved try arrived for them through a ‘push-over’ one scored by stalwart, Dewi. Equality in the score arrived on the half hour mark with another try scored by Caron, playing as the Fly Half today. The conversion was successful and in the extra time at the end of the 1st half it was so good seeing Ifan Williams scoring his first try on his debut for the 1st Team. This gave a 15 – 8 score at half time.
The 2nd half had barely begun when the Captain and Centre, Ifan broke through the defence to touch down in the right hand corner. Five minutes later, Caron scored his second try of the day and got up to convert his own try. Before long, the substitute Left winger, Gethin, showed his ability to finish off a move to touch down in the corner. Play was about to conclude with both sides now playing with 14 men when the Nant pack rumbled over the try line and prop Gwynfor, stood up with a huge grin after scoring his first try for the season.
Next week, it will be Llangefni who will host Nant Conwy for a League match.
Canlyniad arall / Another result:
Ieuenctid Nant Conwy Youths – 53 v Ieuenctid Caergybi / Holyhead Youths - 0
(Cynghrair Ieu. y Gogledd Orllewin / North West Youth League)
Sgorwyr Ieu. Nant Conwy Youths scorers:
Ceisiau / Tries: EBAN JONES (3), ARTHUR WILLIAMS, ARON JONES, JAC METCALFE, ELGAN ROBERTS, CARWYN WILLIAMS & GWYDION
ELLIS-JONES
Trosi / Conversions: JAC ELLIS [4]
[Ifor Glyn]
Dolgellau 35 v Llanidloes 16 - match report
Following report kindly supplied by Dolgellau RFC.
WRU Bowl Round 1 Saturday 15th September 2018
Dolgellau are through to the 2nd round of the Bowl thanks to four excellent tries scored by their young and talented threequarters to unlock a stubborn Llanidloes, who were still in this contest up to the last ten minutes of a pulsating contest on the school pitch.
Dolgellau went ahead after thirteen minutes. Centre Henri Roberts’ break, found his brother Jac in good support to put in fiery winger Jake Hinge over in the left corner for a great try. Henry Roberts added the conversion to make it 7-0. Five minutes later Llanidloes stand-off Jordan Davies put the visitors on the scoreboard with a penalty. Henri Roberts put Dolgellau 10-3 ahead going into the 2nd quarter of the match.
Llanidloes enjoyed a long period of pressure, but they could not find a way through a resolute home defence despite their attempt to out muscle the home forwards. However they crept to within a point of Dolgellau with two Jordan Davies penalties. Dolgellau’s Henri Roberts slotted over his second penalty deep in injury time to give his side a slender 13-9 lead at the interval.
Eight minutes into the second period, Llanidloes tried to run from deep, but Dolgellau skipper, Rhys Roberts interrupted the threat in mid field, his fly hack ahead was pounced upon by stand-off Dafydd Roberts, and his chip and chase ahead was perfect for him to touchdown wide on the right. Henri Roberts’ conversion made it 20-9.
Llanidloes were far from finished, No 8 and skipper Paul Jehu came close to crossing the whitewash, and following another attack on the home line, this time the ball was spun wide for winger James Davies to score wide out on the left. Jordan Davies added the extra points to leave the tie evenly poised at 23-16 with quarter of an hour remaining.
But it was Dolgellau’s poise and fitness that shone during the last ten minutes of the match. With seven minutes left, Dolgellau scrum half, Lewis Jones gathered a loose Llani clearance, and set full-back Rob Pugh away and replacement wing Gareth Hughes’ speed finished the move in style. Again Henri Roberts’ conversion split the uprights from a difficult angle to give the home side some breathing space at 30-16.
Llanidloes could not respond this time, and deep in injury time, Dolgellau replacement hooker, Cellan Evans charge up field, saw Lewis Jones and Dafydd Roberts combine to put in wing Gareth Hughes for his second try of the match. 35-16 to Dolgellau.
*Dolgellau 2nd XV continued their good early season form by beating Bethesda 2nd XV by 28-17. Hooker Peter Blake , Centre Eben Jones, 2nd row Carwyn Hughes, and a penalty try [scrum 5] were the try scorers with scrum half Owain Thomas with two and Eben Jones adding the conversions.
Caernarfon 18 v Llandudno 29 - the Caernarfon match report
Following report kindly supplied by Caernarfon RFC.
The two sides were meeting for the 4th time this year, with previous contests being well contested and tight affairs, with both sets of supporters anticipating an entertaining match and they were not disappointed.
It was the Goats who started the stronger with Ryan Pike first to score with a penalty following a period of intense pressure. The Cofis gradually gained some good ball but were unable to gain a sustain foothold on the game, and with number 8 Mac Jones sent to the bin for 10 minutes it was that man Pike that crossed over for the first try of the match, which he duly converted to make the score 0 - 10.
The Cofis spurned the chance of 3 points by choosing to take a tap penalty without successfully breaching the Goats defence. However just before the break Aled Jones successfully slotted the next penalty to make it 3-10 at half time.
With the match finally balanced it was Ed Weston who next crashed over under the posts with Pike converting to make it 3-17. The Cofis were now in the ascendancy and with Patchett at 9 and Roberts at 10 spreading the ball out wide to wingers Dylan Gwyn and Tomos Jones the home supporters sensed a score was imminent.
Following a series of penalties against the visitors Aled Jones closed the gap to 6-17, and soon after following a quick tap penalty Patchett crossed over with Jones adding the extras, 13-17. With the Cofis now attacking at leisure and the ball spread wide for what would have been a certain try but for some loose passes that would have put the home side in the lead.
However from this the visitors seemed to recover and were back in control and Byron Davies crossed over to make it 13-22, with Morgan Owen then crossing the whitewash, the latter being converted by Pike secured a bonus point for the visitors. However the Cofis did manage to score another try with Dafydd Lloyd Williams finally crossing over and make the final score 29-18 to the visitors.
The Cofi 2nd XV who were at Bala secured another victory by winning 24-12, and have now won 3 out of 3.
Next up for the Cofis is the first round of the WRU Plate with an away tie at Llangefni on the 29th Sept, with the 2nd XV at home to Ruthin on the same date.
Next home game at the Morfa is on the 22nd September when the Youths are at home to Bethesda.
Caernarfon 18 v Llandudno 29 - the Llandudno match report
Following report kindly supplied by Llandudno RFC.
After a break of one week, the Goats in there second match of the new season gained a notable away win at Caernarfon.
They took the lead just after ten minutes of play, when from pressure inside of the home side half they were awarded a penalty which was converted by Ryan Pike, and it was the man himself Pike that from a movement involving forwards and backs, that he crossed the try line for a touch down, which he also converted.
The goats had the better of this first half, and should have crossed for more try scoring points, but failed to allow the ball to be released along the back line when they had a number of over laps.
The Goats were caught offside just before half time, which allowed the home to put three points on the board, with a conversion by Aled Jones.
The second period of play saw the Goats settling down into a combined team effort, with the forwards setting up a platform which provided the backs with good ball, and it was from a set scrum near the home side try line that Ed Weston crashed over just outside of the posts, with the extra two points being added by Pike with the conversion.
The Cofis responded with a penalty conversion by Aled Jones shortly afterwards. The Goats still held the upper hand in proceedings with play being kept inside of the home side half, and the pressure told with there defence being breached with a try by Byron Davies.
The Cofis came back at the Goats when from a quickly taken penalty from just inside of the Goats twenty two area, that Gareth Patchett crossed the try line to touch down, which Aled Jones converted.
The Goats now need to settle down and secure maximum points from this way encounter, and this they did, when from within there own half that play was taken up to the Cofis try line with former Captain Morgan Owen touching down for there final try of the match, with the reliable boot of Ryan Pike slotting the conversion between the posts.
The Cofis did however in the final minutes of play manage to score a try by Daffyd Lloyd.
Match Report by Howie.
Next Saturday at home against Bethesda. KO 2.30.
Menai Bridge 12 v Holyhead 26 - match report
Following report kindly supplied by Menai Bridge RFC.
Bridge crashed out of the WRU bowl, following a home defeat at the hands of Holyhead.
The Harbourmen progress to the next round, on the back of a convincing win in a hard fought Anglesey derby.
Bridge took the lead in the match as Tom Spence outflanked the Holyhead defence to touch down the opening try, converted by McGrath. Holyhead rallied from this early setback and began to dominate the game. They were rewarded on the half hour as they scored on the right wing, with Bridge committing too many defenders in an attempt to stop the Holyhead midfield thrusts.
Shortly afterwards Holyhead took the lead with a try for their backrow who attacked with pace and determination. Bridge managed to hang on until half time with score at the interval at 7 - 12.
Holyhead dealt a further blow to the Bridge hopes, as they drove them off a scrum and released the ball to midfield to score under the posts. A simple conversion extended the lead to 7 - 19.
Bridge managed to close the gap as one of their forays into Holyhead territory yielded a try for Gerwyn Morris, as a goaline clearance was charged down. Despite numerous tactical substitutions Bridge could not alter the pattern of the game and inevitably it was Holyhead that ended the match strongly.
A closing try under the posts was converted for a final score of 12 - 26 and a huge cheer from the Holyhead contingent at the final whistle.
The match was preceeded by a minutes silence in memory of T. Mereds Jones, who will be sadly missed by his numerous friends in the North Wales rugby community.
Dinbych 57 v Llangefni 35 - match report
Following match report kindly supplied by Dinbych RFC.
After a first half which they dominated territorially but only led by 24 points to 22 , Dinbych pulled away in the second half to gain an emphatic nine try bonus point victory over Llangefni.
The victory was built on a solid platform by the forwards in the set piece especially the scrum whilst their work in the loose play was typified by the grafting play of props Joe Davies and Gareth Jones. The dangerous back division however dominated the scoring with midfield general Tom Seddon not only heavily involved in many attacks from deep but was also the chief executioner as he crossed for four tries.
Scrum half Jordan Wynne added a brace with other tries scored by full back Gareth Howatson, right wing Aidyn Jones and skipper Narmer El Lamie. Llangefni also picked up a try bonus point as they scored five tries of their own in the entertaining end to end encounter.
Llangefni shocked Dinbych in the second minute when the hosts failed to secure a speculative box kick which allowed right wing Gary Horsman to gather and cross in the corner for a try converted with an excellent kick from the touchline by outside half Rhys Hughes.
Dinbych responded in the fifth minute with a try by right wing Aidyn Jones after an attack from deep in the Dinbych half launched by outside half Garin Roberts who also added the conversion points .
Dinbych then took the lead when full back Gareth Howatson went over in the right hand corner for an unconverted try after another long range attack by the backs set up by a driving maul down the left by the forwards.
The hosts went further ahead with an unconverted try by Tom Seddon who outflanked the defence after taking part earlier in another combined attack from halfway. Dinbych then became overconfident which allowed Llangefni to intercept an attacking move just inside the Dinbych half for centre Richard Foulkes to break away and score in the corner for Rhys Hughes to convert with another good kick.
He then brought the visitors level with a penalty from 25 metres when Dinbych offended at a breakdown. Tom Seddon then regained the lead for Dinbych with a superb solo effort down the middle from a scrum on halfway with Garin Roberts adding the conversion.
Llangefni quickly responded in first half injury time from a ruck under the Dinbych posts from which left wing Iwan Jones went over in the corner for an unconverted try which left the visitors trailing narrowly by just two points at the interval.
Dinbych increased their lead in the opening minutes of the second half when inside half Jordan Wynne broke clean through from a scrum on the Llangefni 22 for their fifth try converted by Garin Roberts.
The visitors were again quick to reply with an unconverted try by flanker and skipper Tom Owen after they turned over possession near half way and broke down the left . Tom Seddon then scored his hat trick try in the corner after another sweeping attack from Dinbych's 22 involving Gareth Howatson and wing Kieran Bonar with Garin Roberts kicking an excellent conversion from the touchline, Rhys Hughes clawed three points back for Llangefni with a long range penalty before Dinbych extended their lead again when No 8 Narmer El Lamie powered his way over in the corner from the blind side of a short range scrum with Garin Roberts adding another touchline conversion.
The hosts went further ahead with Jordan Wynne's second unconverted try to finish off yet another long range attack from beyond halfway involving Tom Seddon, Narmer El Lamie and replacement centre Ethan Morris. With time running out Llangefni showed their fighting spirit when Rhys Hughes went over for an unconverted try after a number of short range drives at the Dinbych line.
Dinbych however had the last word with Tom Seddon capping a fine display with another excellent try initiated by Gareth Howatson fielding a relieving kick on halfway before slicing through a disorganised defence . Garin Roberts added the conversion to close the scoring and a tremendous contest which was a credit to both sides.
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