As anticipated we enjoyed some exciting matches last week and this bumper rugby week end promises to be the same.
There were some very close tussles in Div 1, Bala lost out by a single point at reigning champions Pwllheli having led for most of the match. Fans at Cae Smyrna witnessed one of the most exciting games ever seen at Llangefni when the hosts pipped Bro at the death 25-24. It was a similar tale at The Morfa where visitors Dolgellau gained 2 losing bonus points losing out 38-31 to the Cofis. Elsewhere battling Bethesda lost out 32-22 at Rhuthun, Mold had an away 39-0 success at Colwyn Bay whilst leaders Nant ran out 38-17 winners at Llandudno with a sparkling second half display after an even first period.
In Div 2 C R Dinbych stretched their lead at the top of the table to 11 points as they took second place Shotton unbeaten record at Caeau Les Philips. Rhyl had an impressive home win against third placed Wrexham.
In Div 3 'Match of the Day' Holyhead came out on top 23-15 at home against previously unbeaten Teirw Nant to go into pole position.
We move to Week 9 and start with 5th placed Rhuthun (P8 W5 L3) trip to Bro (P7 W2 L5) who are in ninth position having lost their last three matches. They put up a great performance at Llangefni last week and were unlucky not to return with the spoils but gained valuable 2 losing bonus points for their efforts. Rhuthun continued their good form with a hard fought victory at Cae Ddol against battling Bethesda. Not easy to predict , Bro took the honours 29-3 last time, close game in prospect but I favour the home side to get back to winning ways.
Llandudno (P8 W4 L4) visit The Marian to take on Dolgellau (P7 W1 L6). Dol won 42-12 on Tudno's last visit in 2015/16 season and narrowly lost out at Caernarfon last week. Tudno were beaten at home 38-17 by leaders Nant fading in the second half after taking an early lead. Again not an easy game to predict , it could go either way but home advantage could swing the balance.
Champions Pwllheli (P7 W7 L0) travel to Mold (P8 W5 L3) have eased themselves to second place with a game in hand over leaders Nant. Bala took them to the wire last Saturday whilst 4th placed Mold came away from Colwyn Bay with a comfortable 39-0 win. Pwll won 71-0 on their last visit, closer this time but an away win is on the cards.
Colwyn Bay (P8 W1 L7) face a difficult trip to leaders Nant (P8 W7 L1) where they lost heavily last time. They put up a spirited performance last time out against Mold but I cannot see them upsetting the form book, Nant are in great form -Home win.
Third place Bala (P8 W6 L2) welcome 6th place Llangefni (P8 W5 L3) to Maes Gwyniad. Both sides were involved in cracking games last Saturday,the hosts were unlucky to lose out by a single point at Pwllheli whilst Llangefni fought back to take the spoils 25-24 at Cae Smyrna against Bro. Bala won 21-18 on Cefni's last visit in 2015/16. The Islanders will take Bala all the way, it could be close but my form book says -home win.
Caernarfon (P7 W3 L5) make their way to old rivals bottom club Bethesda (P7 W0 L7) having beaten them at The Morfa in the Conwy Land Rover NWales Cup two weeks ago-they also pipped them 12-7 on their last visit. The Cofis ran out winners at Home against Dolgellau last time out whilst Pesda put up a good display in their defeat away at Rhuthun. On form the Cofis are favourites but I will take a punt and go for the Quarrymen to break their duck in a close encounter.
In Div 2 the top clash between Shotton and COBRA has been postponed but there will be an interesting match at Llanidloes when 3rd place Wrexham are the visitors.
In Div 3 the Match of the Day is the clash between second and third placed Teirw Nant and Pwllheli 2nds at Pant Carw. There is also a local Anglesey derby between Menai Bridge and Benllech.
Enjoy your Saturday rugby, make a day of it by watching Wales v Australia in the clubhouse afterwards.
Hywel
PS Many thanks to the numerous congratulations I received following my last week's 100% prediction success, I nearly forgot to mention it !!.
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