A further batch of match reports from the clubs of North and Mid Wales played this weekend.
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Bethesda 10 v Bala 10
Following report kindly supplied by Bala RFC
Bala travelled to Bethesda for their first away game of the season and with the home side strengthened with 2 players from overseas a difficult game was expected and so it proved as Bethesda took control of the first half.
However, it was Bala who took the lead with Rhydian Jones kicking a penalty (0-3).
Bethesda, though, kept the pressure on the Bala team and after a sustained spell of pressure on the Bala try line they were rewarded with a try which was converted (7-3).
Bethesda kept the pressure on Bala and with the half time looming and not being able to break the Bala defence, Mathew Parry dropped a goal from the 22 metre line (10-3), this was the score at half time.
Whatever was said by the Bala coaches at half time worked because Bala came out of the blocks quickly in the second half.
Within minutes they had drawn level when pressure on the Bethesda backs saw them fumble the ball and the ageing Bala flanker Arfon Rowlands kicked the ball forward and then gave chase to outsprint the covering defence to score a try, with Rhydian Jones kicking the conversion (10-10).
Bala continued to dominate but Bethesda, through Mathew Parry, always looked dangerous on the break. Bala missed chances to win the game and with time running out Bethesda broke away and Mathew Parry narrowly missed with a long range drop goal.
Probably a fair result with both teams rueing missed chances.
Bala 2nds 61 v Bethesda 2nds 5
Following report and picture kindly supplied by Bala RFC.
Bala 2nds had a perfect start to the league with a 61-5 thumping of Bethesda 2nds. Bethesda, who failed to muster a 2nd team last weekend, had to borrow three players from Bala before kick off to even the sides up.
Bala came out all guns blazing and fearsome forwards pressure from the kick off released Dafydd Drewgoed to score under the posts after just three minutes of play.
Bethesda regrouped and there was little to tell between the sides as they threw everything at each other for the following ten minutes. As the Bala forwards began to dominate the set pieces and the rucks, their backs started to throw the ball around with more confidence. Following a few forward passes and dropped balls, a well timed run from flying winger Gwion Jones resulted in another try for the visitors after 15 minutes.
Bala’s strong forwards play was eventually rewarded with a push over try for Gerald Williams at the half hour mark. Bethesda counter attacked with several powerful runs from their big forwards but massive hits from South African openside Thabo and Dewi Pugh repelled them from the Bala half.
Bala began to find their rhythm and finished the first half strongly with two more tries from Tom Ffrancon and Dafydd Drewgoed.
Whilst the Bala forwards dictated the first half, it was their backs that flourished in the second half. Quick ball distribution from Brenig at scrum half released Liam Anderson and Dyfrig Jones for two scintillating 50 metre tries.
Despite this, Besthesda never gave up and their full back Rhodri Jones (on loan from Bala) scored their only points of the match when he jinxed around the Bala defence for a superb individual try against the run of play 15 minutes into the second half.
Bala quickly responded with two more tries from their impressive number eight Dafydd Elgan. Alwyn Dylan was unlucky not to come away with a try after crossing the line twice.
Sebastian Chebal look-a-like, Gareth Bowen (on loan from Bala), bravely flung his body underneath the ball to prevent one of Alwyn’s try attempts. Despite some last ditched tackling from Dyl Anderson (also on loan to Bethesda), Bala were to cross the line another two times before the final whistle.
The game finally finished a resounding 61- 5 to Bala.
Bala 2nds travel to Denbigh next weekend with a spring in their step.
Menai Bridge 39 v Shotton Steel 0
Following report kindly supplied by Menai Bridge RFC.
Bridge welcomed Shotton for their first home league match of the season.
On a warm sunny afternoon, the home side were too hot for the visitors to handle.
Bridge Captain Dave Williams opened the scoring with a scorching run from half way which went clean through the Shotton defence. He was soon joined on the score sheet by wing Adam Goodwin who powered down the flank to score wide out.
The third try of the first half was a culmination of good support play and close passing which saw flanker Gareth Parry over the whitewash.
With reliable goal kicker Iwan Jones unavailable Bridge struggled to convert and closed the half 15 to nil up, having withstood a concerted period of pressure on their try line from Shotton.
Bridge were determined to come out blazing in the second half and were soon on the attack.
Shotton were struggling to cope with concerted attacks and their cause was not helped when their influential fullback was yellow carded for a deliberate knock-on. Sam Williams scored the bonus point try, when Shotton ran out of defenders after a number of quick phases.
Darren Jones then scored from scrum half, sniping from the back of a ruck to go under the posts, Dion McGrath adding the conversion.
Winger Geraint Williams then scored from good simple play and the final try was scored by flanker Sam Williams who was slipped a great pass from prop Jack Owens who had intercepted a loose Shotton ball. The converted try gave a final score of 39 - 0.
Bridge were pleased to get their campaign off to a winning start, but know that their will be sterner tests ahead.
Llandudno 30 v Pwllheli 18
Following report kindly supplied by Llandudno RFC.
Llandudno came out on top in a thrilling encounter against last seasons Div. 2 Runners Up, Pwllheli, at Maesdu Road.
It was the visitors who put early pressure on the home side, and were rewarded with a converted penalty by Osion Parry Jones.
Llan responded to even the score with a Lloyd Griffith penalty shortly afterwards. However it was Pwll who gained the lead with Osion Parry Jones penalty, and a try by centre Daffyd Anwel.
Llan now began to enjoy possession and territorial advantage, and a line out ball won by Josh Williams was quickly used by the backs, resulting in full back Ryan Parry joining the line ,and touching down near the corner flag.
Llan finished the first half strongly, with centre Ed Weston making a telling break through the visitor's defence, putting winger Hugh Griffith into space to cross the try line, giving them a half time lead of thirteen points to eleven.
At the start of the second half, a poor clearance kick by Llan was collected just on the half way line, and gave Pwll the opportunity to run in a try by winger Tom Parry with Osion Parry Jones converting.
Llan now took more control of the match, with the pack now winning the exchanges with their opposite numbers, at line outs, and a number of strikes against the head by hooker Nick Irlam, put Pwll on the back foot, and from such opportunities gained match winning scores.
Quick ball again along the backs saw Nick Maxwell touch down, followed by a maul from a line out driving over the try line, with flanker Bobby Lee Davies being accredited with the touch down.
The final score came from some constant pressure on the Pwll defence, and they cracked wide open allowing winger Hugh Griffith his second try of the match, which was converted by scrum half Tom Hocknell.
Match Report by Howie.
Comment. Special mention must be given to Ed Weston, who started the match at centre, then due to injured players, went to second row, and finished the match at prop, that is what you call commitment .
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