A round up of reports from games involving the clubs of North and Mid Wales.
CAERNARFON 6 v NANT CONWY 10
[Adran 1 y Gogledd / Division 1 North]
Trefn y sgorio a'r sgorwyr / Scoring Sequence and scorers:
15m: 0 – 5 TOM OLIVER, 17m: 3 – 5 Aled Jones
56m: 3 – 10 GETHIN ROBERTS, 73m: 6 – 10 Guto Pierce
Dyfarnwr / Referee: Mr Mike Jolley, Flint
Cododd y tywydd erbyn y gêm ar ôl glaw dydd Gwener a bore Sadwrn. Gêm oedd hon lle y bu i’r tîm cartref gael y rhan fwyaf o’r meddiant ond heb gael llwyddiant o gwbl gyda’r meddiant hwnnw oherwydd gallu’r ymwelwyr i amddiffyn a thaclo pob dim a oedd yn symud! Daeth y cais cyntaf o symudiad wedi’i hyfforddi wedi i Tom daflu i mewn o’r ochr ar y linell bump, Carwyn yn ennill y bêl a’i gosod i’r hannerwr, Ellis Fôn yn chwarae’i gêm gyntaf i’r tîm cyntaf a basiodd yn ôl i’r ochr dywyll a Tom, y bachwr,yn ennill y bêl a phlymio trosodd am gais. Dau funud yn ddiweddarach, Carnarfon yn ymateb drwy gic gosb gan Aled (rhif 10) wedi i un o flaenwyr Nant ddal ymlaen at y bêl am ormod o amser gan roi sgôr o 3 – 5 ar yr hanner.
Wedi 16 munud o’r ail hanner ac wedi amddiffyn yn gyson am rai munudau, enillodd Gethin, yr asgellwr de, y bêl yn ei hanner ei hun a chiciodd yn fedrus i lawr yr asgell. Gadawodd yr holl amddiffynwyr (yn ogystal â Swyddogion ffurfiol y gêm) yn ei gysgod wrth iddo wibio ar hyd yr asgell cyn tirio bêl yn fuddugoliaethus yn y gornel dde. Saith munud cyn y diwedd bu i Guto (eilydd yn lle Aled) leihau’r fantais gyda chic gosb arall lwyddiannus am gamochri y tro hwn.
Yn anaml iawn, y gwelir sgoriau tebyg yn y ddau hanner ond dyna ddigwyddodd heddiw wrth i’r canlyniad fod yn 6 – 10 yn y diwedd.
Ser y gêm i Nant heddiw oedd yr ‘henwyr’ [ yn nhermau profiad ac nid oed] Carwyn Ellis, Ifan Jones a Carwyn Roberts yn ogystal â’r ddau ifanc, y blaenasgellwr, Ifan Williams a’r rhif 9, Ellis Fôn.
Ni fydd gêm gynghrair gan Nant yr wythnos nesaf gan fod Cymru’n chwarae’n erbyn Tonga. Croesewir Bethesda i Bant Carw y Sadwrn canlynol.
After heavy rain over Friday afternoon and Saturday morning, the pitch at Caernarfon was in a good state and it remained dry throughout the match. This was a match where the home side had most of the possession but did not have any success with that possession as the vistors tackled everything that dared to move on the pitch! The first try came from a prepared move as Tom (Hooker) threw in a 5 meter lineput; carwyn won the ball as per usual and passed the ball eo Ellis Fôn, playing his first match as Scrum half for the 1st Team, who passed it on the blind side back to Tom who powered his way over for a try.
Caernarfon responded within two minutes with a successful penalty from Aled [no. 10] after a Nant forward held on to the ball for too long. This gave a 3 – 5 score at half time.
After 16 minutes of the second half and after defending for a while, right winger Gethin gained the ball in his own half and kicked it down along the right touchline. He out paced the entire defence [as well as the Match Officials] as he asily won the race to touch down in the right hand corner. Seven minutes befroe the end, replacement no. 10, Guto scored a successful penalty after the Nant defence had strayed offside this time.
It’s rare these days for both halves of the match having the same scores but that is what happened today as the result was 6 – 10 at the end.
The Nant players who really played well were ‘veterans’ [ in terms of match experience and not age], Carwyn Ellis, Ifan Jones and Carwyn Roberts as well as youngsters Ifan Williams [Flanker] and Scrum Half, Ellis Fôn.
Next week, Nant will have a ‘free’ Saturday due to Wales playing Tonga. The following Saturday, Bethesda will be the visitors to Pant Carw.
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Canlyniad aralll: / Another result:
TEIRW NANT – 14 v Bae COLWYN Bay - 16
Sgorwyr TEIRW NANT scorers:
Ceisiau / Tries: LLŶR JONES & MORGAN KIRKHAM
Trosi / Conversions: JAC ELLIS (2)
(Adran 2 y Gogledd / Division 2 North)
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[Ifor Glyn]
LLANDUDNO 9 v BALA 8
In a tense and tight encounter at Maesdu Road, the Goats remain top of the league due to a one point winning margin, and remain unbeaten at the start of this new season.
The visitors Bala took an early three point lead with a penalty conversion just on seven minutes of play, and this they were to hold until the half time break.
The match was a very much a stop and start affair, with both teams not able to put together any constructed pattern of play. The Goats after fifteen minutes of play, lost Kelvin Davies who had to leave the field of play with a dislocated knee injury.
This first half was one of both sides putting up strong defensive walls which held firm. The Goats at start of the second period of play pressed to gain some match points, and they came from the boot of Oscar Lennon who converted a penalty just on the forty nine minute mark, however it was the visitors who scored the only try of the match with a free flowing movement of the match from within there own half of play.
The match continued to be stop and start with both sides giving away a number of penalties, and it was the boot of Oscar Lennon that was to provide the Goats with the match winning points.
On fifty five minutes of play after some pressure within the Bala twenty two area that they were awarded a penalty with Lennon converted, just after this they lost Reece Henderson for a period of ten minutes with a yellow card, and this put them on the back foot, having to put up a strong defence which they did.
Time now was running out and they were behind on the score sheet by two points, however the team rallied and took play well into the Bala half, and the pressure told on their defence, and it was on the seventy sixth mark that they gain the all important penalty just on the twenty two metre line, with the Goats new talisman Oscar Lennon stepping up to seal this home win with the conversion, keeping them at the top and unbeaten in Div 1 North.
Match Report by Howie Odd Socks.
The Goats have a free Saturday next week, and return to league action on Saturday 24th Nov away at Bro Ffestiniog KO 2.30.
DINBYCH 2nds 26 v RHOS 10
Dinbych consolidated their position at the top of Division 3 North with a bonus point victory over Rhos who provided competitive opposition in a free flowing if error strewn match with end to end play throughout.
Dinbych's victory was built on the foundations laid by a forward effort which gave them the edge in the scrums thanks to the front row of Ashley Liversage, Elliot Davies and Roger Clayton whilst lock Jonathan Morgan won valuable possession at the line out.
They were also effective in the loose play as they generated a powerful driving maul which gained valuable yards. Behind the pack half backs Robyn Cartwright and Iwan Johnson controlled play launching attacks and kicking well both in defence and attack. With Rhos always looking to attack Dinbych countered with a strong defensive display especially to halt the driving play of the visiting forwards.
Rhos had the better of the early exchanges as they pressurised Dinbych forcing them to defend strongly but the hosts after conceding too many penalties initially, gradually worked their way into the game and opened the scoring in the 25th minute after a period of intense pressure in the visitor's 22.
First right wing Ben Reed was almost over for a try in the corner with fly half Iwan Johnson touching down for a try when the ball was recycled. Ben Reed converted with an excellent kick from the touchline.
Dinbych increased their lead a quarter of an hour later with the forwards taking a scrum against the head and taking play deep into the Rhos 22 with surges by Ashley Liversage and back row James Rowse leading to prop Roger Clayton forcing his way over for a try converted by Ben Reed. This was followed four minutes later with a try by hooker Elliot Davies who finished off a long counter- attack from deep in Dinbych territory with long runs by brothers Iwan and flanker Rhys Johnson stretching the Rhos defence.. Ben Reed added his third conversion which gave Dinbych a 21 points to nil lead at the interval.
Dinbych extended their lead further a quarter of an hour in the second half when Iwan Johnson crossed for his second and the bonus point try in the left hand corner after full back Tom Wynne counter attacked after catching a relieving kick before an elusive defence splitting run down the touchline.
Rhos eventually opened their scoring five minutes later at a five metre line out when lock Mike Muia caught the ball cleanly to force his way over for an unconverted try. They added a second six minutes later with centre Ethan Bishop running in at the corner for an unconverted try to cap an excellent combined move from their own half.
BENLLECH 12 v MENAI BRIDGE 40
Bridge secured a bonus point away win at Benllech, in a match of contrasting styles. The home side used their big forwards to run directly at the Bridge defence, whereas Bridge attempted to use their backs and find space.
The first score of the match was a try for Bridge hooker Lee McGrath, rounding off a series of attacking phases with a close range touchdown.
Bridge piled on the pressure but failed to score as chances were not finished. The next try came from a Benllech attack, where a thumping tackle in midfield led to a spilled ball. Full back Dan Hughes hacked through and used his footballing skills to guide the ball in goal for a try.
The third Bridge try was the pick of the half. Fly half Dion McGrath feinted a pass to his centre then drifted through the defence in the space he created, converting his own try. With the score at 19 points to nil and half time approaching, Benllech rallied. Forward drives took them to the try line and second row Paul Williams went over for a converted try to close the half.
Shortly after the break Bridge engineered a break out on the left wing and scrum half Ed Williams was in support for his try. A further try on the same flank, was shortly followed by a second try for Dion McGrath. He combined with his scrum half Ed Williams on a blindside run to outflank the defence. The conversion brought up 40 points and a personal tally of 20 points for McGrath.
In the latter stages of the match Benllech enjoyed good periods of possession. Bridge were repeatedly penalised for infringements at the breakdown and Benllech pressed on with their forward drives. They were rewarded with a try for Terry Hughes, which closed the scoring at 12 - 40.
Its another local derby for Bridge next week, as they welcome Bangor for a North Wales Cup match.
Mold 26 v Llangefni 20 - match report
Following report kindly supplied by Llangefni RFC.
These two basement teams belied their league positions to produce an entertaining game of high intensity which went down to the wire. The hosts deserved to take the spoils as they consistently put more width on their game, and used their loose forwards to good effect in the wide open spaces.
Cefni were 1st to score when Richard Foulkes put over a penalty from 30 metres. Cefni soon added to this score with a superb solo try from fly half Greg Horsman. Receiving the ball from a scrum near half way , he glided through a gap, and put on the after burners to cross near the posts. Foulkes`extras made it 10 -0.
However Cefni`s Achilles heel was again in evidence as they failed to deal with the k.o. into their 22. They repelled the 1st forward surge, but from the 2nd line out Mold powered their way over the line, the try being accorded to Nicky Hughes. No extras, so 10-5. Mold had the wind in their sails and proceeded to dominate the rest of the 1st half. The Cefni defence was being given a thorough test, and the islanders were grateful to Carrog Roberts for a timely interception near their line.
Having been thwarted from close range, Mold managed to engineer a try from a line out near half way. Quick off the top ball was well used by their pivot as he timed his short pass sweetly to put centre Ethan Roberts into the gap. The latter ran in from 40 metres and Jack Martin added the extras to give Mold a lead they were not to relinquish: 12-10.
Mold`s pivot was carded just before the break, but Cefni failed to take advantage. It was Mold who took full advantage of Cefni`s poor exit strategy from a scrum in their own 22. When The chance to kick from first phase was spurned, they ended up being charged down a few phases later. Mold no.8, Chris Holmes was the happy recipient of the loose ball and he ran in unopposed from 15 metres. Martin added the extras for a 19-10 scoreline.
Cefni responded strongly, and some robust forward carries led to a penalty which Rich Foulkes slotted for 19-13. Cefni were now kicking well behind the Mold back 3, but the latter managed to counter attack confidently up to half way. The back row took over and the flanker found 18 year old Morgan Johnson on his shoulder. The latter ran in from 30 metres for a superb team try. Jack Martin`s boot made it 26-13 with 20 minutes to go.
Cefni were not finished, and their forwards, with Carrog Roberts, Paul Magee and Bedwyr Williams to the fore, carried strongly into the home 22. When they were stopped near the flag, the ball was switched left to Greg Horsman .His half break allowed him to slip a pass to Rich Foulkes who went over from close range. Foulkes`extras made it 26-20 with almost 20 minutes to play. Mold went all out for another try to ease their nerves. They attacked with venom but were held in check by a very brave Cefni rearguard. In fact it was Cefni on the attack in the Mold 22 when the final whistle blew.
Cefni`s losing bonus point keeps them within a point of Mold at the foot of the table, and it is likely that the return match at Cae Smyrna in 2019 will be another monumental struggle.
Caernarfon 6 v Nant Conwy 10 - the Cofis match report
Following report kindly supplied by Caernarfon RFC.
The score line in this North Wales League Division 1 encounter may suggest a dour enough encounter but what was witnessed was in reality so contrasting. Both teams and every individual gave an excellent account of themselves, playing at pace throughout with defences strong and organised for most of the match. Nant secured the win by being a little more dominant at the breakdown with a few of the most experienced players marshalling and cajoling all around them effectively.
Nant had the best of the opening exchanges and the pressure finally told on the 15 minute mark when a rehearsed lineout ploy saw a take being returned to the tramline channel for scrum half Ellis Fôn to collect before offloading to Tom Oliver the hooker who squeezed over in the corner.
The Cofis responded very positively and were soon back in contention when Aled Jones was successful with a well struck penalty minutes later. Numerous individuals in Cofi colours upped their performance, both second rows, Rhys Thomas and Ilan Davies drove purposefully with number eight Mac Jones a constant threat. However a few hurried and rushed passes resulted in lost possession at crucial moments.
The Cofi scrum was also functioning well but despite the majority of possession coming their way the Nant defence stood resolute and opportunities for the Cofis within the danger zone were very limited.
Replacement prop Pedr Jones featured prominently at the beginning of the second period with an added Cofi penalty opportunity just drifting wide. What could have resulted in a one point advantage soon became a seven point deficit when a speculative cross field kick was hacked on by onrushing wing Gethin Roberts who then won the chase to ground before a long delay ensued prior to the score being granted.
The momentum turned in Nant's favour for a period with centre Steff Horan making one telling break. Ifan Lloyd Jones as usual was also prominent in both defence and attack, thus not allowing the Cofis any opportunity to sustain phase upon phase possession.
Cofi fullback Iwan Evans however once broke out of defence to put the home side on the front foot and a high tackle call resulted in Guto Pierce bisecting the post to double Caernarfon's points tally with ten minutes to play.
Nant however were within a whisker of securing the win minutes later when the white line was crossed only for a double movement to be signalled. This inspired the Cofis for one last charge from a line out close to the try line but as had happened all too often during the game the wisdom of back rowers Gareth Davies and in particular Carwyn Ellis were at hand to form a water tight barrier in order to see Nant triumph..
Pwllheli 29 v Bro Ffestiniog 15 - match report
Following report kindly supplied by Pwllheli RFC.
The weather had improved before the start of the contest but there was a cross-field breeze which restricted kicking for both teams. There was a good crowd of supporters despite the weather and the attraction of Wales playing Australia later in the afternoon.
Pwllheli started strongly but kicked for touch when the first penalty was awarded to Pwllheli but it was kicked into touch. This set up a position deep in the opposition’s half and it was not long before Huw Williams, the Second Row and captain for the day, had forced his way over for the first try. Nic Butterworth was successful with the conversion with 8 minutes on the clock.
Both teams found it difficult to take charge and both teams defended stout but the home side found a way through the Bro line 10 minutes later when Dafydd Anwyl grounded the second try for the home side. Butterworth again converted. It was just before half time when Bro, having pressed the home defenders for a full five minutes managed a try wide out to give a score of 14 v 5 at the interval.
The second half started well for Bro with a quickly taken try in the corner with less than two minutes played. They repeated the act some ten minutes later - when the home side were down in numbers with their second row yellow carded for a ruck offence. All conversion attempts were missed - but the third try gave a 14 v 15 advantage to the visitors.
This advantage was lost two minutes later when Butterworth was successful with a penalty kick from mid field and thereafter the home team took control of the game and scored two further tries in the last quarter, one of which was converted. With the bonus point for four tries in the bag, the home side managed to close down the play for the remaining six minutes of the match.
Pwllheli 2nds were at home to Holyhead in a dual league / Gwynedd Cup match which was a tight affair but the Anglesey side manage a 5 v 14 win and won through to the second round of the cup competition.
On Friday evening, the Pwllheli Youth side beat Dolgellau Youths 40 v 0 by scoring six tries and succeeded to covert five, an exciting and lively match despite the weather.
Benllech 12 v Menai Bridge 40 - the Gulls match report
Following report kindly supplied by Benllech RFC.
Benllech put out a heavy squad this week with a very forward orientated team to the visiting Menai bridge. The gulls were left short of backs but several players stepped up to the backline, including Aled Vaughan (Wyn Edwards Electrical) , Mark Ward (PM Williams and Sons Joinery) and veteran Gwyndaf Williams (Rich Wills Fitness).
Benllech started very well and played some good rugby in the visitors half but we're unable to cross the line despite great ball play from Alex Reese (Rhifau Rhos Accounting) and James Jones (Gavin). Menai came back hard and worked the ball through good phases to score in the corner. Good pressure from Menai Bridge and several errors from the gulls saw two tries for Menai bridge in the space of about 20 minutes with no response from the home side.
Benllech then played to their strengths and getting good territory, Paul Williams (QB Locksmith) was the final ball carrier in a series of hard running forwards movements to power over the line proving too much for the Menai defence. 7 -19 to the visitors as the half time whistle blew.
Bridge were the quicker off the mark in the second half as they built up more pressure and Benllech seemed to have no answers as Menai bridge crossed the line quickly. Menai put the ball wide and a scrambled defence saw hooker Emyr Williams (Moelfre Ice Cream Parlour) attempt a two footed tackle that Eric Cantona would have been proud of, but Menai still crossed the line and the move saw Williams with a yellow card for the rush of excitement.
The gulls dug deep with one man down and spent a good amount of time in the Menai half with great runs from man of the match Robbie Cole (MDH Joinery) before Terry Hughes (Safe Hands) took half a gap and powered through the Menai pack to carry the ball and a few defenders over the line.
Poor discipline crept into the Bridge side in the latter stages as more pressure was put on and it wasn't long before Menai were also down to 14 men for 10 minutes.
The final minutes, as both teams were back to full strength saw Bridge move the ball wide once more for a final nail in the coffin for the gulls finishing the game at 12-40 to the visitors.
Benllech have a few weeks break now before facing Mold and Rhos as the first half of the season comes to an end.
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