The first match reports are in and include Harlech v Porthmadog and Bangor v Menai Bridge
If you would like your match report to be included in this round-up, please email to gwcymru1@aol.com - many thanks
*****
WRU Division One North
COBRA 7 v Dinbych 12
Dinbych ground out a narrow victory over COBRA in a high tempo but error strewn encounter with little continuity as neither side were able to breach the aggressive defence of the opposition with handling errors abounding whilst the intense battle at the breakdown led to a multitude of penalties.
Neither side were able to take advantage of a strong wind blowing directly down field but Dan O’Sullivan starting at full back before switching to outside half after the interval not only found touch with long penalty kicks against the wind in the second half but also added two penalties and a well struck dropped goal to edge Dinbych ahead leading to an eventful final ten minutes .
Dinbych played with the strong wind at their backs in the first half but both sides were guilty of handling errors in the opening minutes mainly because of the strong tackling by both defences. Dinbych opened the scoring in the fifth minute with a Dan O’Sullivan penalty from forty metres when COBRA offended at a breakdown.
The hosts soon replied when Dinbych conceded a penalty at a scrum deep in their 22 which was quickly taken for outside half Llew Williams to force his way over at the posts from short range for a try which he converted himself. The remainder of the half remained scoreless with defences on top although Dinbych failed to take a number of try scoring opportunities.
Trailing by seven points to three at the interval Dinbych started the second half well with the forwards generating some momentum going through the phases with a sequence of pick and drives. They were rewarded when Dan O’Sullivan who had now moved to outside half reduced the deficit with his second penalty from 20 metres when COBRA again offended at a breakdown. He also gained significant territory with long penalty touch finders against the wind to keep Dinbych on the front foot at vital times.
With ten minutes remaining he edged Dinbych into the lead with his third penalty as the hosts transgressed at a scrum twenty metres out. He then added a well judged dropped goal from twenty five metres after receiving the ball from a ruck set up by a typical powerful run down the middle by centre Mat Hulse.
This led to a frenetic final period of play with both sides attacking in turn but COBRA had a golden opportunity to take the lead when they were awarded a penalty in front of the Dibych posts only for them to throw it away when the decision was reversed and a yellow card issued for an off the ball incident.
They were reduced to thirteeen men minutes later with a second yellow card before Dinbych themselves lost a man to the bin as they defended desperately to hold out against a frenzied last minute effort by the hosts for their narrow victory.
*****
WRU Division 2 North
Llandudno 108 v Rhyl 0
Llandudno took a massive step towards winning the Div 2 North title, and promotion back into Div 1 North, with a complete demolition of visitors Rhyl at Maesdu Road, crossing for sixteen tries, eleven conversions and two penalties, making it the highest recorded score line between the two clubs.
It only took the home side seven minutes to open the scoring, with a penalty by fly half Mark Jones with a penalty just on the half way line, which was followed up with another penalty conversion by himself. Llandudno now were beginning to hit top gear, and from this point on, tries came fast and furious,with Rhyl being totally outclassed ,by the power and support play of the home side.
From a set scrum that the first of the eleven tries came, when quick ball reached centre Ed Weston who brushed aside tacklers to touch down, with Luke Jones adding two points with the conversion. Running rugby was the way Llan were playing the game, young prop Lewis Jones was next to score converted try by Luke Jones, after a quick penalty was taken.
The pressure on the visitors was now immense which they were unable cope with. Number eight Josh Williams was next to touch down, followed by another power try by Ed Weston, conversion by Luke Jones, and from the resulting restart by the visitors, hooker Dan Colclough collected the kick and ran in unopposed from his own half of play, with Luke Jones converting.
The feature of the home side play, was there fitness and support play from start to finish, and this showed with centre Dave Davies breaking through a number of tackles for a try,with yet another conversion by Luke Jones.
The final score of this first half was with two more tries, by Dan Colclough and Dave Davies, with Luke Jones converting both. The second half was again very much one way traffic, and Rhyl were down to fourteen men, when a red card was given to there number eight, which was to put more pressure on them in defence. This half now saw tries coming at regular intervals, with second row Meredydd Francis touching down, conversion by Luke Jones.
Full Back Sam McClean created the next try with a telling break from his own half, with the final try pass being given to flanker Tim Grey,Luke Jones converting. Another flanker Bobby Lee Davies quickly followed this up with converted try by Luke Jones.
Rhyl now were a very exhausted side, having had to make tackles all through the match, and due to this the flood gates opened wide, with further tries by, Lewis Jones, Wesley Jones, Dan Colclough, Meredydydd Francis and Tom Hocknell, with one conversion by Luke Jones.
Coach Jason Roberts and Team Manager Matt Cole are pleased to see the whole team now playing as a unit.
The two side meet again on the 4th May at Parc Eirias in the Intermediate Cup Final.
Llandudno have a back log of postponed fixtures left to play on the following date, Wed 23rd April v Abergele,KO 6.30pm. Sat 26th April v Machynlleth KO 2.30pm. Wed 7th May v Wrexham KO 6.30pm. All at home.
Report by Howie.
*****
WRU Division 3 North
Harlech 97 v Porthmadog 0
Harlech bounced back from their disappointing defeat to Menai Bridge the previous week with a 15 try demolition of local rivals Porthmadog, on a glorious day for rugby. Harlechs large home crowd, could not have prepared themselves for the feast of attractive and flowing rugby that was delivered up, as Harlech reinforced their promotion ambitions, against a game Porthmadog side.
Early tries from Club Captain Andrew Stone- Williams, 3 from electric young winger Ynyr Roberts and a try apiece from props Ieuan Williams and Jack Brooks, plus 4 conversions from the boot of impressive Aeron Griffith saw the Castlemen out to a 38 -0 half time lead.
Some early changes in the second half, and with the opposition tiring in the heat and with the pace of the game, saw Harlech add a further 9 tries, some of them examples of superb running rugby, something sorely missing in the previous weeks defeat at Menai Bridge. Tries from Cedri Williams (2), Ben Bailey, young Thomas Richards (2), Dylan Wynne Evans and Aeron Griffith, along with another for the person who started it all off, Stone Williams. When added in 7 conversions for Griffith who ended with a personal tally of 27 points on the day, it saw Harlech to their biggest ever win over their local rivals.
Porthmadog should take a lot of credit for the level of physicality that they brought to the game on a hot and tiring day, and they made Harlech work for every score, and certainly posed a challenge up front for much of the game.
Harlech know they have some tougher challenges ahead, with a tough visit to Llangollen next Saturday, and games against Flint and Bangor to come, plus potential other rearranged fixtures on the horizon, as the club look to keep the pressure on the top two of Bridge and Llanidloes as trophy time approaches.
*****
Bangor 27 v Menai Bridge 29
A large crowd at a sun drenched Cae Milltir witnessed a tense and highly competitive local derby.Bangor were first on the scoreboard as they raced into a 10 - 0 lead through a converted try and a penalty.This after Bridge began well with forward pressure nearly seeing them maul their way over the Bangor line.Solid defence from Bangor preventing the try.
The next 20 minutes saw Bridge gain a territorial foothold, as a result they were to score three tries.All of which were scored through their pack.The first came from a well worked catch and drive from a line - out 10 metres out.The well organised drive enabling flanker Sam Williams to guide the pack over the hosts line,and dot the ball down in the corner.Full - back Iwan Jones was able to add the extra two points.
Five minutes later a great touch finder from a penalty saw Bridge have the position from five metres out.Again with the resulting line - out won the Bridge pack and Sam Williams were able to score a carbon copy of the first try.
Next on the scoresheet was prop Paul Williams after great forward pressure and numerous phases of play the prop was able to force his way over from 5 metres out.Jones was able to convert and Bridge went in 19 - 10 to the good at half - time.
The second half was a far different story as Bangor took control of most aspects of the game.With their line - out operating smoothly, this allowed their pack to be on the front foot.Allied with Bridge's inability to tackle.However, Bridge's Jones was able to extend their lead to 12 points with a well struck penalty from the half way line.
For the next 30 minutes Bangor were on top.From this they were able to score three well worked tries,gaining a try bonus point in doing so.
With time running out and little going right for Bridge an inspired substitution saw club captain Dave Williams enter the fray.This was to prove to be the difference for Bridge as his direct running allowed them time in Bangor's 22.With time vertually up and the last throw of the dice, good forward pressure enabled Bridge to tie defenders into the ruck and from the quick recycled ball Williams was able to run in from 10 metres.With the score locked at 27 all the conversion was 10 metres to the left of the posts,up stepped the ever cool Iwan Jones to slot the kick through the posts.Thus gaining Bridge the vital bonus point win.
Bangor can rightly feel hard done by as it was a game they didnt really deserve to lose.However they can take much heart from this performance,as if they play like this until the end of the season not many teams will be as lucky as Bridge were.
Bridge are in action at home to Bangor University next saturday with a 2.30 pm kick-off.
*****
CLWYD CUP SEMI-FINAL
Ruthin 2nds 48 v Wrexham 2nds 5
Ruthin 2nds won their Clwyd Cup semi-final against Wrexham 2nds 48-5 at Caeddol on Saturday and now will play in their 6th consecutive Clwyd Cup final at Eirias Park.
First points went to Ruthin with a try by Hooker Garry Teeson in the first 5 minutes and Wrexham responded with a period of pressure which led to them equalising with their own unconverted try.
The Blues had to defend against a continuing Wrexham attack and for a while it looked as though the sides would be evenly matched throughout the game.
Then fullback Gethin Hughes broke from well within his own half and ran the length of the pitch to score a fine try converted by Sion T Roberts.
Shortly afterwards after some good phase play wing Cai Edwards was put through for his first try.
There was no further score and the sides went in at half time with Ruthin 17-5 ahead.
Shortly after the break the Blues went further ahead with a try by Roberts which he converted.
The visitors tried to get back into the game but solid defence from the home side stifled their attack. Midway through the second half the Blues took control and scored a further 4 tries with Edwards scoring his second and Gareth Hughes, Gareth Morgan and Chris Scotland adding the other three with Roberts getting two conversions.
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