Included are Pwllheli v Caernarfon and Rhyl v Colwyn Bay
Many thanks to Pwllheli RFC, Rhyl RFC and Colwyn Bay RFC for the following reports
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Pwllheli 12 v 12 Caernarfon
(h/t 7-6)
Caernarfon, who were crowned champions of WRU Division 1 North last April, were unceremoniously brought down to earth in the opening game of the new season, played at Bodegroes at Caernarfon's request. Their tenacity prevailed and although they never looked likely to score a try, they shared the spoils of this hard fought match.
The opening score was a penalty to the visitors after fifteen minutes from the dependable boot of Kelvin Morris. The hosts retaliated by spending the next five minutes pressing their opponent's line - Pwllheli No 8 Huw Williams eventually touched down and full back John Pugh converted. A fast game and stout defending from both sides, the referee again penalised the home team allowing Morris another opportunity which was successful for a 7-6 half time score.
A similar pattern emerged in the second period with the Cofis increasing their score with a third penalty early in the half and Pwll scoring a try through prop Alwyn Trenholme. Morris missed his second penalty attempt five minutes later but was successful three minutes from time to level the scores. An opportunity for the home side to win the game came in injury time but a dificuilt penalty attempt drifted in the breeze and struck the upright post.
In the Seconds game, Caernarfon beat Pwllheli 26-7 with a try count 4-1, Mathew Banks crossed for the home side with outside half Geraint Martin converting.
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Rhyl 38 v Colwyn Bay 11
A young Bay side produced a spirited performance where the final score did not reflect their skill and attitude to the game and where the home side took their scoring chances while the visitors missed their opportunities.
Outside half for Colwyn Bay Spencer Lumby kicked a brace of goals to give the Bay an early lead before wing Gareth Jones raced the length of the field to touch down for outside half Ben Pemment to convert to give the home side the lead.
A try from No 8 John Astbury regained the lead for the Bay shortly before the break but when Rhyl wing Jack Hughes crossed for the first of his three tries just before the break the game slipped from the visitors grasp.
In the second half further tries came from wing Hughes (2) and one apiece for centre's Henry Roberts and Stuart Fellcrook with outside half Pemment adding the conversions.
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RHYL 38 COLWYN BAY 11 By Keith Jones
Rhyl began the new season in fine style under new head coach Phil Blakoe with a bonus point win against local rivals Colwyn Bay.
Rhyl began the new season in fine style under new head coach Phil Blakoe with a bonus point win against local rivals Colwyn Bay. The final score however, did not reflect what was a hard fought game between two closely matched sides and it was only the pace and powerful running of the home team, espeacilly the excellent Henry Roberts at centre and Jack Hughes on the wing, that secured the win.
Indeed the Bay took an early lead with two penalties, and it was only when prop Gareth Jones went over under the posts that the home team began to settle and play their normal game.
A further two scores from wing Jack Hughes gave Rhyl the half time advantage at 19 to 11 and in the second half, with the benefit of a strong wind at their backs, Rhyl soon secured the bonus point with a try from centre Henry Roberts before wing Jack Hughes sealed matters with a hat trick try and the scoring was completed with a final score
for Stu Fell Crook.
Coach Blakoe, whilst happy with the scoreline, will be looking for improvements in several areas as the team make the long trip to Llanidloes next Saturday.
*****
Shotton 0-27 Abergele
By Alun Pritchard
Gele Swords Slice Through Steel
Abergele humble a Shotton crowd much used to seeing their team sweep aside their opposition.
Abergele got their season off to a solid start with a bonus point away win against last season's Division Three North Champions Shotton Steel RFC.
With a new coaching set up of Jimmy Waring, Mike Batey and Crimbo Badham many eyes would have been watching Gele to see how they would fair this season.
The tempo of the game was set in the first few minutes as some direct running from the Shotton backs was met by an inpenetrable wall, lead by fly half Bobby Jones, who showed that size doesn't matter by putting in some astronomical hits.
After the initial surge from Shotton, Gele grabbed control of the game and scored a well worked try. Some good graft from the forwards combined with slick hands in the backs resulted in Tom Coathup going over in the corner.
Soon after, it was the Gele fans applauding again as prop Alan Wraight found himself out on the wing, only to turn on the after burners and race in from fourty yards!
The third try of the half was again initiated by the forwards, who continued to break the gainline before trusting the backs to deliver. And it was Tom Coathup who managed to step his way through the defence to claim his brace.
Half time saw Dru Roberts make his debut at prop, replacing the impressive Gareth Bolton and injured scrum half Chris Marsh made way for Dan Evans.
Shotton, with the wind now at their backs, came back at Gele. However the new found determination from the Swordsmen helped them to hold firm, and a line break from Dan Lawrence who has been outstanding in the centre, released Joe Lavin, who with the support of Llion Mortimer made it to within 5m of the Shotton line.
From the resultant ruck, number eight Anthony Tilley dove over to seal the bonus point.
Some ill-discipline from Gele lead to two sin-binnings in the closing stages, a horrendous gash to the head of Bobby Jones (which required 22 stitches) meant that Gele saw out the final stages with eleven men as Dan Evans also left the field to treat his colleague.
The Gele defence stood tall and can be proud to have kept a clean sheet on a hard journey away from home.
This was only the first game of the season but Abergele have laid down a marker and will have to work hard to live up to this performance in the weeks and months to come.
The Green Army travel to local rivals Colwyn Bay this coming Saturday, kick off is 2.30pm - All Support Welcome!
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