If you would like your match report included please email the details to gwcymru1@aol.com
Menai Bridge 15 v Harlech 18
Following report kindly supplied by Menai Bridge RFC.
This was the first league meeting for the two teams promoted from Division 3 last season.
Harlech easily dispatched Bridge at Harlech in the SWALEC Bowl, before Christmas and league form suggested that the visitors started as favourites.
Early action in the game did not suggest that the predictions were far off the mark. Within 5 minutes the visitors were ahead after running back a clearance kick. Winger Ynyr Roberts scoring a try on his left wing, as the Bridge defence stood flatfooted in their 22 watching the attack develop.
It wasn't long until Roberts scored another try, beating some desperate tackles as he attacked with real pace and power. Bridge then conceded a kickable penalty and the score stood at 13 - 0 with barely 15 minutes gone.
The home crowd were sensing a torrid afternoon, however to their credit Bridge started to get back in the game. Their first score came from a Harlech lineout. Hooker Rich Williams pounced on a loose tap and combined with second row Gareth Parry who put number 8 Dafydd Healy in space. Healy proceeded to charge through the defence and scored under the posts. Iwan Jones converted.
Bridge regrouped at half time and were next on the score sheet. Following a prolonged period of phase play, the ball was spun wide to centre Vaughn Francis, who sped in, taking the score to 12 - 13.
With only a single point between the teams Harlech upped their game and won a couple of scrums on the Bridge 5 metre line. From a dominant scrum number 8 Alex Evans scored a push over try, making the score 12 - 18.
The final quarter of the game was played in Harlech's territory. Iwan Jones slotted a penalty to take the score to 15 - 18. Harlech were further penalised with only a minute to go. This set up Iwan Jones for the kick which could have earned a draw for Bridge. A valiant effort from long range went tantalisingly close, however it was not to be and a relieved Harlech gained the win, with a consolation bonus point for Bridge.
Bridge entertain Llangefni at Llyn Y Felin next Saturday, in what promises to be a fascinating local derby.
Abergele 122 v Shotton Steel 5
Match report kindly written by Ian Harrison, Abergele RFC.
It is ironic that the seeds of yesterday’s destruction of Shotton Steel were sown by Shotton themselves, when on a cold winter afternoon in Deeside way back in 2013 Abergele gave one of their worst ever displays and were duly thrashed by the Steelmen.
The outcome of that heavy defeat, apart from Jimmy’s famous on-field rant at the players after the final whistle, were the major changes in players, coaching, coaches and attitude and, having come a full circle, resulted in Abergele’s record score against a weakened Shotton side.
Yes Shotton fielded a weakened side and were at one stage down to 12 men on the field. Yes Shotton hardly ever left their own half throughout the eighty minutes but you can only play what is in front of you and Abergele did that superbly. Every aspect of their play from scrummaging to their passing and running was of a high class and it was only the desire to score more tries that resulted in knock-ons that stopped Gele scoring even more points.
The key question is “How did Shotton score 5 points?” Well even that came from an ambitious Gele pass that was intercepted on the halfway line and followed up by a Shotton player to make the score 108-5 in the seventieth minute.
The game was symmetrical in terms of scoring with 61 points from 9 tries and 8 conversions in each half with tries being scored at regular intervals to keep the crowd entertained on a cold afternoon.
The first half tries, from Simon Hughes (2), Ben Jones (2). Chris Edwards (2) Ash Tilley, Gareth Beach and Rich Meddlicott, were well worked against a stubborn Shotton defence.
The second half tries were different in nature. With Shotton clearly tiring and losing players, gaps were created in their defence and Gele’s backs ran through them almost at will, sometimes from big distances.
One try that stood out was scored by full back Rich Meddlicott on fifty three minutes when he fielded a kick well into the Gele half and weaved his way through the Shotton line to score under the posts. Other second half tries came from Chris Edwards (3), Llion Mortimer (2), Owain Davies, Mike Bagnall and Gethin Jones right on the final whistle.
It would be easy to focus on the game statistics – Owain Davies 37 points, Chris Edwards 5 tries (man-of-the-match), 18 tries overall, Gele’s record score, highest score in North Wales this season – but Gele played 15 man rugby throughout the eighty minutes with the confidence gained from their defeat of Llangefni two weeks ago.
Although the points were welcome and made a big difference at the top of Division Two North such a ‘perfect storm’ is unlikely to happen again this season and the hard work on the training ground has to continue if Gele are to improve their position in the top three. The next game is Newtown at home next Saturday and a win will set Gele up nicely for the International Break.
Although Chris Edwards was given the man-of-the-match accolade and, as Captain Joe Lavin said in his post-match speech, everyone who wore the green shirt played well and it was difficult to single anyone out.
Finally it is worth saying that the game was well-refereed and the Shotton players deserved their applause at the end for never giving up – we wish you well for the rest of the season.
Dolgellau 18 v Denbigh 23
Following report kindly supplied by Denbigh RFC.
Dolgellau RFC hosted Dinbych in what would a key battle at the foot of the Divison 1 North table.
Dinbych took the honours in this closely fought basement battle in which the lead changed hands half a dozen times thanks to a battling display throughout by the forwards, their ability to take their try scoring opportunities and their strong defensive effort typified by their determination to hold out in the final minutes when Dolgellau threw everything at them.
Dolgellau started strongly and with the aid of a stiff breeze at their back pressurised Dinbych in their own 22 and added to Dinbych's problems by overturning two scrums from the second of which Dinbych were forced to concede a penalty for offside. The hosts prolific outside half and skipper Gerwyn Thomas had little difficulty in converting and put his team into the lead after eight minutes. Dinbych then took the lead eight minutes later after left wing Aidyn Jones had been held up over the Dolgellau line.
When Dolgellau were subsequently penalised five metres out the ever alert No.8 Dan Jones quickly took it to force his way over in the corner for an unconverted try. Dinbych soon increased their lead when man of the match Aidyn Jones came inside from the wing to break infield on a scything run from a scrum on halfway with centre Tom Seddon in close support slicing through the remaining cover to score under the posts leaving scrum half Garin Roberts an easy conversion.
Dolgellau responded strongly and took advantage when flanker Gavin Rizzi who otherwise had his usual excellent display at the line out and in the loose was yellow carded for slowing down possession close to the Dinbych line.
Following this although Dinbych did well to withstand a number of line outs and close range drives by the home forwards they eventually conceded a penalty twenty metres out kicked by Gerwyn Thomas. Dolgellau made their numerical advantage pay even further when centre Jac Roberts scored a neat try when he wrong footed the Dinbych defence with a dummy and inside step. Thomas regained the lead for Dolgellau with the successful conversion.
With half time approaching Dinbych went into the lead once more when Garin Roberts broke to the blind side of a scrum on half way to release Aidyn Jones on a run to outpace the covering defence and cross for an unconverted try in the corner.
With Dinbych now leading by seventeen points to thirteen at the interval it was their turn to pressurise the hosts for the first twenty minutes of the second half with the forwards getting close to scoring on several occasions from pick and drives near to the Dolgellau line.
The hosts eventually raised the siege and taking advantage of an overthrown line out took play back deep into the Dinbych half. They made this count by taking the lead twenty five minutes into the half when prop Greg Smithies forced his way over from short range for an unconverted try. A long kick downfield by full back Sion Rowlands then took play close to the Dolgellau line and in attempting to break out from deep the hosts conceded a penalty kicked from twenty metres by Garin Roberts which took Dinbych into the lead by two points.
He then added a second glancing over from an upright minutes later to increase Dinbych's lead. This lead to a frenzied final few minutes with Dolgellau throwing everything into attack and forcing Dinbych to concede a number of penalties which the hosts kicked into the corner for short range line outs. From these Dolgellau generated numerous forward drives only to be denied by a tremendous last ditch defence by Dinbych as they held out for a well deserved victory.
Whitchurch 14 v Llandrindod Wells 32
Following report kindly supplied by Llandrindod Wells RFC
Despite the fact that Whitchurch are languishing at the bottom of the league table, this was a surprisingly spirited and competitive outfit that took the field against the league leaders and there were periods in the second half when Llandrindod had to concede advantage resulting in the hosts scoring two converted tries.
Llandrindod kicked-off deep in to the Whitchurch half, causing a degree of confusion amongst the defenders and a possible quick score. This was not to be but a loose maul close to the Whitchurch line, a drive and a squeeze and Dan Oakley was over for the first of Llandrindod's six tries. Despite their dominance in the loose, Llandrindod's set-pieces saw the scrum being pushed back and a hint of danger for the visitors.
Further loose play gave the Llandrindod backs to chance to stretch their legs, and full back Jac Holden came in to the line and was uncatchable in a 40 metre sprint to the corner for another unconverted try.
Llandrindod ended the first half with hooker Aled Price, gathering a pass from Danny Davies, ran some 25 metres to touch down for the visitor's third try.
The tables were turned from the start of the second half as Whitchurch, fed up with being on the back foot most of the time, suddenly came to life and for some fifteen minutes pressed Llandrindod hard, resulting in the first of their two tries with Joe Kendall touching down under the posts, giving James Lawrence an easy conversion. Llandrindod rallied after this shock and Neil James scored two unconverted tries in quick succession both at the end of a rolling maul. The same tactic gave Llandrindod their final try, this time from Price, converted by Davies.
The match ended with Whitchurch using a rolling maul of their own, and a touch down by Gareth Hobbs, converted by Chris Morris.
This week Llandrindod have no scheduled match.
Bala 15 v Bethesda 6
Following report kindly supplied by Bala RFC.
Gyda nifer o ganlyniadau da tu cefn iddynt trafaeliodd Bethesda i’r Bala’n llawn hyder dydd Sadwrn ac roedd colofnydd y Daily Post yn darogan buddugoliaeth i’r “How Gets”. Mae’n debyg i’r llysenw yma ddeillio o gyfnod pan nad oedd fawr o Saesneg yn yr ardal a bod trigolion Bethesda yn gofyn i’r Saeson dwad, “How get you here?”- doniol, ond does dim yn ddoniol am hanes y rhain gan i’w teidiau herio’r Arglwydd Penrhyn yn ystod y Streic Fawr. Tydy ildio ddim yng ngeirfa’r hogie yma.
O’r chwiban gyntaf, roedd Y Bala yn barod amdanyn nhw ac yn eu gwynebau, gan gario’r bêl yn bwrpasol ac aethant ar y blaen 3-0, diolch i gic gosb gan Rhydian. Roedd Rhydian ar dân a chafwyd cais gwych ganddo wrth iddo roi cic dros amddiffyn Bethesda a chwrsio’i bêl gan ei dal a sgorio. Roedd Bethesda wedi cael braw ac yn dilyn hyn roedd mwy o wmff yn eu chwarae, gyda’u cefnwyr yn ailgylchu’n effeithiol ond amddiffyn Y Bala oedd â’r llaw uchaf o hyd. Y sgôr ar yr hanner oedd 9-0 i’r Bala.
Yn fuan yn yr ail hanner, gyrrwyd y capten, Siôn Lynch, i’r gell gallio am dacl uchel a chwarae teg i’r reff, roedd ei fraich hanner ffordd i fyny Moel Emoel. Llwyddodd Bethesda â’r gic i’w gwneud yn 9-3. Brwydrodd y 14 arall am ddeg munud i wneud yn siwr mai felly byddai’n aros ac wrth i Siôn ddychwelyd i’r frwydr, penderfynodd Owain Aled y gallai wneud efo hoe fach yn y gell callio am roi sliding tacl y byddai Vinny Jones a’r Crazy Gang wedi bod yn falch ohoni.
Pan ddychwelodd o ar y cae, dim ond 9-6 oedd y sgôr o hyd, diolch i’r drefn. Y Bala fu’n rheoli weddill y gêm gyda’r blaenwyr yn gwthio sgarmes symudol drosodd am gais i wneud y gêm yn saff. Moi Dafydd sgoriodd a’i gwneud yn 15-6 i’r Bala ar y chwiban olaf.
Mae’n debyg i Fethesda gael ei enwi ar ôl capel lleol. Falle y byddai o fudd i’r tîm dreulio mwy o amser yno’n gweddio am wrthwynebwyr llai cadarn na’r Bala! Dinbych i ffwrdd fydd hi nesa’. Gwerthfawrogir pob cefnogaeth.
Guto Lynch
Bro Ffestiniog 5 v Mold 20
Following report kindly supplied by Bro Ffestiniog RFC.
Visitors Mold secured a bonus point win in an enthralling match at Cae Dolawel. Eddie Kirby's men thoroughly deserved the win after dominating most of the match.
From the start the Chester Road team showed their intent by kicking for touch rather than taking the kickable points but each time Bro would win turnover ball and manage to clear their line.
It took twelve minutes before the first points were scored, Bro were penalised and Mold kicked for touch. From the lineout Bro once more managed to win the ball but the clearance kick was gathered by the full back before offloading to wing James Strong who crossed over for a try but failed to add the extra points from the conversion.
From the re-start Bro went close after winning a scrum against the head but the final pass was knocked on.
The first half saw the visitors gaining most of the possession, their big centres punching holes through midfield but some 'big hits' stopped many of Mold's attacks.
The second try came through a training ground move from a lineout on Bro's 5m - hooker and prop combining though a ball to the front and back to hooker Ryan Kirby to crash over for an unconverted try.
The last move of the half saw Bro deep inside Mold's 22, crossing the halfway line for any a handful of times during the first period, Bro created a driving maul and with the home support behind them drove towards the try line only for the maul to be pulled down deliberately. The referee awarded a penalty but Bro failed to gain touch and the chance - one of few - went astray and the visitors went into the break with a ten point lead.
From the re-start Bro failed to clear their line, Mold won turnover ball and quickly recycled the ball, three phases later second row Aled Ellis crashed over to claim his first try which again went unconverted.
Fifteen minutes into the half Bro were down to 14 after centre Simon Kalafusz was sin binned for deliberately pulling a player back, from the penalty Mold went close once more through two scrums but Bro won turnover and cleared.
with a man down Bro finally burst into the match and gained some possession, territory and put the visitors defence under pressure, this pressure paid dividends as firstly Mold were down to 14 after number 8 Rowan Whalley was binned for not rolling away and only minutes later, with the referee Mr Boswell loosing his patience, Mold were down to 13 as centre Huw Gryndy was yellow carded for another infringement.
The next eight minutes saw an outstanding defensive display by the visitors, wave after wave, maul after maul, ruck after ruck and with two more players Bro attacked the try line but could not breach the well organised defence. Bro eventually scored after 9 phases of play through flanker Marc Morris but his try also went unconverted.
The home side should have taken this momentum and scored another but it was Mold who had the last try. Bro were penalised for holding on and the visitors went for another lineout. 4 phases later Ellis crashed to claim his second and more importantly his side's bonus point try with Strong unable to add the extras.
This week Bro entertain Ruthin while Mold are away to Llandudno.
There are no events to show yet.