A round-up of reports from games involving the clubs of North and Mid Wales.
If you have a report and would like it added to this round-up, please email the details to gwcymru1@aol.com - many thanks
Dolgellau 24 v Welshpool 21
Following report kindly supplied by Dolgellau RFC.
The decision taken by match referee, Ed Brown, to start the match at 2.10pm was inspired, as it turned out the match ended with one touchline and the west in-goal area flooding rapidly as the Wnion river waters rose menacingly. Miraculously the match itself was relatively rain free, and both sides should be given credit for a cracking contest.
Dolgellau took the lead after ten minutes. Debutant No.8 Tim Jones paving the way and stand-off Eben Jones’ long pass saw wing Jake Hinge in at left corner to give Dolgellau a 5-0 lead. However the visitors were gaining plenty of possession, although rather wasteful with it, but after fifteen minutes they were rewarded, with prop Brian Jenkins carving out an opening for hooker Ally Evans to score under the posts. Full back Tom Williams converted into the swirling wind to give the visitors a deserved 5-7 lead. The lead lasted less than four minutes. Dolgellau’s speedy three quarters wrong footed the visitors cover and wing Jake Hinge come off his left wing to break through for his second try of the game. Centre Henri Roberts converted to put Dolgellau 12-7 ahead.
With less than five minutes of the half remaining, a scrum 5 saw Dolgellau drive on and no.8 Iwan Pugh was halted on the line, however prop Dewi Puw was there to cross the try line and make the score 17-7 at the interval.
The visitors fought back strongly at the start of the second half, and after ten minutes centre, Harry Davies run ended with flanker Tom Davies going over under the posts. Tom Williams added the extras to leave the match finely balanced at 17-14. As the Dolgellau faithful became increasingly nervous, up stepped centre Henri Roberts. Dolgellau were pushing deep into Welshpool territory, but as scrum half Lewis Jones moved the ball wide, Roberts still had plenty to do to, but his strength took him through several tackles to slide into the flood beyond the try line for the try he duly converted to give his side a bonus point and breathing space at 24-14.
The visitors again responded, and with five minutes remaining, flanker Joe Stranks finished a long Welshpool drive. The try was again converted by full-back Tom Williams to make it 24-21 and secure a loosing bonus point which was scant reward for the effort they put in here.
Referee: Ed Brown
Llandudno Goats 18 v Nant Conwy 12
Following match report by Llandudno RFC.
The Goats remain unbeaten in Div 1,in what was billed as MATCH OF THE DAY, and it lived up to expectations right to the final whistle.
It was their Talisman Ryan Pike that put them into an early lead with a penalty conversion just on the nine minute mark, however he had to leave the field shortly afterwards with
a serious head injury, and taken to hospital were it was confirm as a broken jaw.
Oscar Lennon took over the kicking duties, and increased their lead with another penalty conversion. The Goats were beginning to click into gear, and they went through the gears at pace with Ed Weston braking through Nant defence with Lloyd Evans on hand to take the try scoring pass, which Oscar Lennon converted on the half time whistle, giving a healthy half time lead of thirteen points to nil.
Nant being Nant came out at the start of the second period of play, and began to put their game together, and it was from a sustained period of play inside of the Goats half, that they finally put some points on the board with a try by Carwyn Ellis which Steffan Horan converted, and they continued to press the Goats defence, with a second try by Caron Davies which was also converted by Steffan Horan.
But it was the Goats who sealed this home win at Maesdu Road, when from a break inside of there own half, that Rhys Henderson rounded his opposite number to race unopposed to cross the try line securing this first win against there opponents Nant for many a season, and firmly establish them at the top of the table.
Next Saturday away at Ruthin. 2.30 KO.
Match Report by ODD SOCKS (alias Howie).
Llandudno 18 v Nant Conwy 12
The following match report kindly supplied by Nant Conwy RFC.
Trefn y sgorio a'r sgorwyr / Scoring Sequence and scorers:
9m: 3 – 0 Ryan Pike, 25m: 6 – 0 Oscar Lennon, 44m: 11 – 0 Lloyd Evans &
13 – 0 Oscar Lennon
46m: 13 – 5 CARWYN ELLIS & 13 – 7 CARON DAVIES, 50m: 18 – 7 Rhys Henderson, 54m: 18 – 12 STEFFAN HORAN & 18 – 14 CARON DAVIES
Dyfarnwr / Referee: Mr Elliott Mayer, Caerdydd / Cardiff
Yn y lle cyntaf, rhaid yw canmol y gweithwyr tir yn Llandudno ar lwyddo i gael maes gwerth chweil ar gyfer y gêm heddiw. Yn ail, dymunir y gorau bosibl i Ryan Pike [Llandudno] wedi iddo orfod gadael y maes yn fuan gydag anaf drwg i’w ên.
Pac mawr a chryf gan y tîm cartref ond Nant yn llwyddo i’w dal am y rhan fwyaf o’r gêm. Aeth Llandudno ar y blaen yn yr hanner awr cyntaf gyda dwy gic gosb -–un yr un gan Ryan ac Oscar [cyn chwaraewr Nant yn chwarae dan bermit URC]. Yn ddwfn i’r amser ychwanegol, llwyddodd Lloyd, y canolwr i dirio’r bêl ac Oscar i drosi i roi sgôr braidd yn gamarweiniol o 13 – 0 ar yr hanner
Ar ddechrau’r ail hanner, llwyddodd pac Nant i wthio’r blaenwyr cartref yn ôl pan oedd y tîm cartref i lawr i 14 chwaraewr yn dilyn cerdyn melyn. Carwyn yn codi o’r cefn ac yn rhuthro tros y llinell i sgorio heb neb yn ei daclo. Caron yn trosi’n llwyddiannus. Ymatebodd Rhys, asgellwr Llandudno’n fuan gyda rhediad da a chyflym ar y dde i gael cais na throswyd. Yn ôl y daeth Nant a Steffan, yr asgellwr de’n gyflymach na dau amddiffynwr i dirio’r bêl a chaniatau i Caron drosi’i ail. Parhaodd Nant i bwyso at y diwedd a chredai chwaraewyr y ddwy ochr eu bod wedi sgorio ‘cais’ arall ond nid oedd i fod gan fod y bêl wedi’i tharo ymlaen yn ystod y symudiad mae’n debyg. Sgôr o 18 – 14 ar y diwedd felly gyda chefnogwyr y ddau dîm yn nodi eu balchder o wylio gêm mor dda a allesid yn hawdd fod wedi’i hennill gan y naill ochr enu’r llall.
Ni fydd gêm gynghrair gan Nant yr wythnos nesaf gan Fodd Clwb Rygbi Shotton bellach yn chwarae’n Adran 3 y Gogledd.
In the first instance, the Llandudno ground staff must be congratulated in getting such an excellent playing surface in such stormy weather. Secondly, Nant Conwy’s best wishes go to the Llandudno player, Ryan Pike, who had to leave the pitch prematurely due to an apparent serious jaw injury.
Llandudno had a strong and big pack as expected but Nant did manage to contain them for most of the match. The home team went ahead in the first half an hour with two successful penalties of the boots of Ryan and Oscar[an ex Nant player playing under permit from the WRU]. Deep into the added time, Llandudno scored a try through Centre Lloyd – one that was converted by Oscar. That gave a half time score line of 13 – 0 which did not really reflect the play during the half.
At the start of the second half when Llandudno were down to 14 players due to a yellow card, the Nant pack gained the upper hand and Carwyn, No. 8 was able to pick the ball from the base of a scrum and ran round the entire set of forwards to touch down before anybody tackled him. Caron converted this try. Rhys, the home No. 11 responded with a fast and tricky run on the right wing to touch down for an unconverted try in the right hand corner. But back came Nant and their No. 14, Steffan was faster than two defenders to touch a kick on down with Caron converting.
Nant continued to put pressure on the home defence during the final minutes and most players on the pitch thought that they had scored another ‘try’ but it was not to be as there had been a ‘knock on’ during the movement. Thus, a final score of 18 – 14 and both sides’ supporters eager to note that they had witnessed a really good match – one that could have been won by either side.
Next week, Nant will have a ‘free’ Saturday due to Shotton RFC playing in Division 3 North this season.
Canlyniadau aralll: / Other results:
Abergele - 27 v TEIRW NANT – 36
Sgorwyr TEIRW NANT scorers:
Ceisiau / Tries: GETHIN ROBERTS (2), SION JONES, ELIS FON, GETHIN I JONES & CARWYN OWEN.
Trosi / Conversions: ELLIS FON (2) & EUROS JONES
(Adran 2 y Gogledd / Division 2 North)
Ieuenctid Caernarfon Youth - 5 v Ieuenctid NANT CONWY Youth – 41
Sgorwyr Ieuenctid NANT CONWY Youth scorers:
Ceisiau / Tries: ELGAN ROBERTS, DEIAN ROBERTS, JAC ELLIS, YNYR ROBERTS, ARON JONES, BRENIG HUGHES & JOSH WILLIAMS
Trosi / Conversions: JAC ELLIS [3]
(Cynghrair Ieuenctid y Gogledd Orllewin / North West Wales Youth League)
Dinbych 2nds 38 v Benllech 7
Following match report kindly supplied by Dinbych RFC.
WRU Division 3 North
Storm Callum would play as much of a part in this Division 3 North fixture as the two squads themselves, with strong winds and driving rain making conditions difficult for everyone.
Dinbych began the first quarter brightly with frequent forays into Benllech’s half, however the final pass eluded Dinbych and let Benllech off the hook on several occasions. After quarter of an hour Wing Ben Reed opened Dinbych’s scoring with an attack up the slope, neat hands in midfield followed by a surge for the line saw him score his opening try of the season. Reed’s attempted conversion drifting wide of the posts.
The home side found themselves in several promising attacking positions, but poor handling or decision making let them down and gifted Benllech possession on far too many occasions. One such attack by Benllech was snuffled out near the half way and Dinbych immediately shifted to attack, the ball taken inside Benllech’s 22. Quick hands from Scrum Half Dafydd Cartwright put Centre Andrew Wilson in space and he in turned Wing Dylan Easton who out paced the defensive line to put Dinbych up 10-0 after 25 minutes.
Benllech struck back with a fine try from their Scrum Half, a burst up field by Benllech had several Dinbych players beaten and excellent support play from theirNo.9 was rewarded when he took the offload and scored beneath the posts. The conversion easily slotted to leave the scores at 10-7 at Half Time.
Dinbych now had the slope working in their favour and were soon to capitalise when Scrum Half Dafydd Cartwright sold two defenders with a dummy and sped past for his opening try of the season, Wing Ben Reed stepping up and dispatching the conversion with ease.
It didn’t take long for Cartwright to find his way over the line again, picking up from the base of the scrum the fleet footed Scrum Half stepped the oncoming defence to score an excellent individual try. Wing Ben Reed accurate again with his boot to put Dinbych ahead 24-7.
Dinbych’s next try owed more to their footballing ability than rugby. Strong carries from the forwards gave Dinbych the momentum needed to put Benllech on the backfoot, a grubber kick by Centre Andrew Wilson turned the defence and he beat Benllech to the ball. Wilson then used his right foot to square the ball for supporting Flanker Rhys Johnson to hack the ball onwards, as the ball tumbled over the try line Johnsondived and scored his second try of the season. Reed once again slotting over the conversion.
Dinbych’s sixth and final try of the afternoon came courtesy of their hard working Forwards. A defensive scrum on Benllech’s own 5m line was soon demolished by Dinbych’s Front Row of Brychan Ap Geraint, Roger Clayton and Ashley Liversidge, the scrum was swiftly moved forwards and No.8 Gareth Price needed no second invitation to score his first try for Clwb Rygbi Dinbych since January 2017. Wing Ben Reed successful again with the conversion.
2nd Team Captain Tom Evans and his men were far from convincing today and will have to up their game significantly if they are to defeat Llangefni 2nds next Saturday and remain at the summit of Division 3 North.
Pwlheli 34 v Ruthin 7 - match report
Following report kindly supplied by Ruthin RFC.
In good conditions as the rain eased just before KO Ruthin could not make headway against a well disciplined and strong Pwllheli side in this Division One North match.
The home side had points on the board within 3 minutes of the start with a try from John Pugh converted by Osian Parry Jones.
In response the Blues worked their way upfield into Pwllheli’s half but lost the ball and Pwllheli were back on the attack. Although holding their own in mid-field a pattern was developing of despite good phase play the Blues were being held outside the opposition 22 and finding it difficult to penetrate it and then not able to take advantage when they did.
Pwllheli on the other hand appeared able to score almost every time they got into the visitors’ 22.
Pwllheli scored another 2 tries from Tom Parry and Huw Williams both converted by Parry Jones before Ruthin’s pack drove over the line with prop Tom Crawford scoring and Nathan Jones converting.
Tom Parry went over the whitewash again for Pwllheli for their bonus point try just before half time and the whistle blew with the home side 26-7 ahead.
In the second half although Ruthin were still stringing some good play together they couldn’t get past the home side’s defence and as the heavens opened again in the last 20 minutes of play playing conditions became more difficult for both sides.
Pwllheli however scored another 3 tries in that half from Daniel Williams, Elgan Davies and Gwilym Parri with one conversion from Parry Jones. The final score was 43-7 to Pwllheli.
Llangefni 14 v Bala 22 - match report
Following report kindly supplied by Llangefni RFC.
Played in wet and windy conditions, this game between 2 sides still seeking their 1st League win of the season, turned out to be a titanic struggle between the 2 packs of forwards. Cefni did well at the tackle area, keeping the ball for long periods as they played into the wind in the 2nd half. However, Bala enjoyed overall dominance at scrum time, and used it as a strong platform to score their close range tries.
Bala had the better of the early exchanges as they focused on looking after the ball as they played against the elements. However, when they kicked loosely up to half way, Greg Horsman gathered the ball, wrongfooted the Bala defence and scythed through most of the Bala team on his way to a superb solo try. Rhys Hughes added the extras and Cefni were 7-0 up.
Bala replied with a wave of attacks into Cefni territory, and after Bedwyr Williams had been carded, Bala used the penalty to set up camp deep in the home 22. Cefni stopped the forward drive, but were further stretched wide out on the left. Bala were held up, but from the ensuing scrum and drive , prop Dave Yates was able to force himself over for the try. No extras, so 5-7.
After Rhys Hughes was narrowly wide from 40 metres, Bala again made their way into the home 22. They were initially held up, but from the ensuing scrum Ilan Rowlands found his way to the whitewash. 10-7 to Bala after 30 minutes. Cefni were in desperate need of a 2nd try before the interval, and it nearly came when scrum half Aled Jones made a superb break down centre field. Closer support would have meant a certain try ! However, Cefni were not to be denied, as they regained possession and after some deft interpassing and forward drives, Gethin Andrews powered over from close range. Hughes` kick made it 14-10 to the hosts at the break.
Cefni controlled possession very well for the first 5 minutes of the 2nd period, but when Bala got hold of the ball they looked dangerous. They stretched the hosts on both flanks, leading to a 2nd sin bin for Cefni when Sior Grieves was carded for a high tackle. Bala took advantage, again through their scrum. Ilan Rowlands added his 2nd try when Cefni were shoved off their own ball at a scrum near their line. 15-14 to Bala.
Cefni then enjoyed a good period of pressure which saw them pounding the Bala line for several minutes. The Lakesiders defended very well, but conceded a penalty under their posts. Three points with the boot seemed the best option for a 17-15 lead, however the chance was spurned and Bala survived another frantic onslaught from the home pack without conceding !
It was the turning point of the match, as Bala finally got back into the home 22 and forced Cefni to run from deep. An error ensued and Bala had another chance to use their scrum to set up another try, scored this time by Ifan Rowlands. Osian Jones was successful with the conversion so Cefni were deprived of a bonus point which they surely deserved.
Cefni`s 2nd xv lost 34-13 at home to Pwllheli, and the Youth team continue to make good progress as they competed well with their Pwllheli counterparts, eventually going down 25-6.
Next week the 1st xv travel to Bro Ffestiniog
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