Again, many thanks to you all who have sent in pictures and reports from last weekend's games.
Picture is courtesy of Gill Winter, Rhyl Photographic Society
More pictures from the Rhyl v Llandudno game can be found by using the following link:
*****
Rhyl 17 v Llandudno 32
Rhyl 1st team went down 17-32 at home to high flying Llandudno. Rhyl's young lads did coach Phil Blakoe proud as they showed a big improvement on last week's mauling at COBRA.
The game was finely poised at 19-17 by half time with the young Dragons looking capable of
bringing off an upset. But in the second period Llandudno capitalised on a few Rhyl defensive mistakes. Rhyl's scores came from Calum Bennett, who kicked 4 penalty goals and wing Paul Selwood, who crossed for his side's solitary try.
Colwyn Bay 2nds v Rhyl 2nds
Rhyl 2nds travelled to Colwyn Bay and came away with the spoils and a fine performance under their belt as Mike Potter's team got back to winning ways. With several youngsters beginning to shine his team is certainly moving from strength to strength, aided by scrumhalf Gaz Smudger Smith, who has moved up from Abergele to pull on the Rhyl
shirt again.
Veteran Jamie Adams created the first try with a convincing dummy run to set up Liam Duffy for a try. Then Wez Hancock crossed for an excellent individual try, slicing through the bedazzled Bay defence like a knife through butter to score, then adding the conversion for good measure. Finally the experienced Geezer Davies continued his record breaking try run, making it 5 from 5 games, albeit thanks to what was possibly one of the best gift passes and interceptions ever.
*****
Dolgellau 11 v Caernarfon 10
Caernarfon travelled to Dolgellau on the back of a disappointing performance a week earlier and it soon became apparent that they had met another outfit that were intent on preventing them from establishing any form of constructive pattern. That said, it was however a very closely fought encounter from the off, but sadly devoid of any real attacking flair.
Dolgellau started brightly, varying their attacks but were held at bay with reasonable ease with one penalty effort drifting wide to prevent them taking an early lead. Play became concentrated in midfield before Dylan Evans from centre finally made an incisive break that took him to within yards of the try line. Dylan Llywelyn provided the link to feed flanker Cedri Williams who ploughed over out wide to crown what was the highlight of the first half.
Penalty counts were mounting at the breakdown for both sides but few were within the range of the kickers. Dafydd Roberts at centre for the Cofis often broke free of the first line of defence but nothing materialised as a consequence. However Caernarfon began excerting pressure and had Dolgellau on the retreat as the half drew to a close. One yellow card infringement resulted in Dolgellau being reduced to fourteen, thus granting the Cofis an opportunity that they soon capitalised upon.
Caernarfon started the second half with purpose, recycling well and driving at the heart of the Dolgellau defence. The scrums were solid and provided a fine platform to attack from. Consequently from the base of one scrum, the initial dash was halted but good quick hands freed captain Rhys Evans who out foxed the once solid defence to score a fairly easy try. Dolgellau were vulnerable at this point and had more vision been applied then the Cofis could and should have drawn clear. However their only reward came midway through the half when a sweet flowing attack out amongst the centres freed wing Lance Owen Williams to finally cross the whitewash. His second conversion attempt sadly drifted wide.
Caernarfon appeared in general to believe that the five-point margin gained could be defended with only a few stalwarts effective in taking the game to the opposition. Mathew Bohana at hooker was constantly prominent as was Rhys Evans and flanker John Llywelyn made his customary nuisance value pay dividends. However the Cofis were the masters of their own downfall with two lapses of concentration gifting full back Tom Roberts two well-struck penalties. The first for a high tackle but later, a cacophony of errors resulted in an offside call that was ultimately to seal their fate.
With minutes remaining the Cofis were granted two penalty opportunities of their own to salvage the match but sadly for the expectant Cofi following neither could be seized upon, thus leaving Dolgellau joyous at the final whistle.
It’s cup time next Saturday and a visit to Mold will hopefully be coupled with a little more urgency.
*****
Rhayader 23 v Newbridge United 16
Rhayader won their third league game on the bounce with a hard fought victory over Newbridge United in Division 7 East on Saturday. The home side, unbeaten under new coach Bobby Williams, eventually overcame a very physical and well organised Gwent outfit.
Welcoming back Kev Albi, Adam Davies and Jordan Smith from injury, Rhayader were at near full strength and needed to be in this mid table clash.
An early penalty by Kris Moses gave the away team an early lead but a quick try response by Dan Goodman gave the considerable home support something to cheer. Two further penalties by Moses and one from Rhayader's Matt Boore gave Newbridge a 9-8 lead at half time.
Newbridge came out strong in the second half and winger James Andrews crossed for a well worked try which was converted by Moses. This gave the away side a 16-8 lead. However a penalty by Matt Boore and tries by captain Steven Boore and try machine Jamie Naylor as well as a conversion by Matt Boore gave Rhayader in the end a deserved victory.
The fitness of Rhayader's powerful pack proved to be the difference on the day with special mention going to new prop James Rees and man of the match Paul Powell. Coach Bobby Williams said "I am pleased with the way we dug in but disappointed we didn't take chances which would've given us a more convincing victory". Rhayader's three wins from their five games see them sit comfortably in mid table but the losing bonus point achieved by the travelling team keep them one place and one point above the Radnorshire outfit. Final Score Rhayader 23-16 Newbridge United
Rhayader RFC would like to wish back rower Gary Pritchard a speedy recovery after breaking his knee cap in Tuesday's 17-0 friendly win at home v Cobra XV.
There are no events to show yet.