RGC win against Merthyr 21-6 - picture shows the Merthyr Committee and some of the supporters at tonight's game
Ruthin 27 v Caernarfon 32
The battle of the Hub clubs recommenced at Caeddol after Ruthin’s narrow away win early in the season at Eirias Park.
Ruthin, playing flowing rugby, got off to a good start with two unconverted tries by wing Hugh Sharples and flanker Clwyd Jones in the first 5 minutes. Caernarfon countered with a try by Lance Owen converted by Kelvin Morris to put them within 3 points of the Blues. Ruthin went off the boil and were struggling in the scrum against a powerful visitors pack.
The Coffis levelled the score after a 25 minutes of play with a Morris penalty and then went further ahead with a try converted by Morris followed immediately with another Morris penalty kicked from near the half way line.
The Ruthin pack was strengthened when prop Tom Vaughan came on and the Blues finished the half attacking the visitors line and the margin narrowed to 20-13 to the visitors with scrum half Wil Davies kicking a penalty goal.
After the break Morris continued to kick penalty goals from virtually anywhere up to the half way line and slotted another two over.
The Blues were putting considerable pressure on the visitors defence and two Caernarfon players were sin-binned for infringements near their try line. The Blues got the ball over the line but it was judged to be held up.
From the resultant scrum the ball was passed out to centre Harri Morgan who forced his way over for the Blues third try converted by Wil Davies.
Replacement Ed Mason was then combined with centre Gethin Hughes who scored the Blues bonus point try converted by fly half Ben Syme. At 27-26 ahead and with 10 minutes to go the Blues went down to 14 men with a sending off.
Morris kicked another penalty goal from Ruthin’s 10 yard line and with the last play of the match put the ball over again from the same position.
Despite scoring 4 tries to the visitors 2 Ruthin had to be content with 2 bonus points having had no match for the boot of Kelvin Morris who kicked 22 of Caernarfon’s 32 points in their 32-27 win.
*****
Harlech 83 v Holyhead 0
After 4 weeks of inactivity for the Harlech players, this game went ahead after almost 5 hours of work on the pitch to remove several thousand gallons of flood water. An individual performance of some note from second row Sion Rees, made all that work worthwhile, with 7, yes 7, personal tries.
Holyhead arrived a player short, and from the first few minutes, Harlech pressed home that advantage, with an early try for prop Gethin Evans. Further tries followed from winger Martin Perch, before the match became the Sion Rees show. Sion scoring back to back tries, in the first half, one a crash over from short distance, the second a run in from the 22, before number 8 Alex Evans got in on the show with a fine team try. Some outstanding kicking by centre Aeron Griffiths made it 35-0 at half time.
The second half started as it had begun, with Sion Rees scoring a further 5 tries in a performance the like of never seen before from a second row forward, with Rees appearing all over the pitch to score some spectacular tries. The spirited Holyhead team simply couldnt cope with the power and speed of Rees, who was relishing in the moment.
To add to Rees personal haul, further tries from the outstanding Ed Williams, Llion Kerry and a final score from Captain Andy Stone-Williams, along with a personal haul of 9 conversions from Aeron Griffiths, gave an excellent final score of 83-0 in favour of the home side.
I'm sure all the plaudits for this game will rightfully be heaped upon the outstanding Sion Rees, and his incredible personal tally, and as Harlech look ahead to facing some stern tests in the coming month, with the visit of Rhos, Newtown and a trip to the always difficult Menai Bridge, the Castlemen will enter 2013 with some renewed vigour, following this 13 try victory.
The Holyhead team were given a rousing ovation by the Harlech players and crowd alike, as despite travelling a player light, they stuck at it all day long, and not once let their heads drop, even when the scores were mounting, and it is fair to say that they were a credit to their club.
*****
RGC 21 v Merthyr 6
It was a tale of 2 halves at Eirias, with RGC beating Merthyr by 21 points to 6. The visiting side got an early score with a penalty to take the lead and RGC responded by looking for the first try. Alex Schwarz and Rhodri Carlton Jones were linking up well asking the questions of the Merthyr defence. RGC were kicking penalties into touch looking for the score from the line-outs and were unlucky when a forward pass was given with Carwyn Ap Myrddin running towards the tryline.
It wasn’t all one sided with Merthyr looking dangerous on the break and they were camped on the RGC line looking for the try but great work from RGC stopped the line from being broken.
The visitors were reduced to 14 men after 20mins with Andrew Murphy was yellow carded and the Gogs looked to take advantage of the extra man. The try arrived after some excellent passing between Carlton-Jones and Richard Hopkins with Carlton-Jones jinking between 2 players to score. He converted his own try for a 7-3 lead.
Carlton-Jones was involved again soon after with a great pick up but his pass was loose as the line awaited for Carwyn Ap Myrddin. The try off the match and perhaps the season was a Harri Evans solo effort.
The centre collected the ball in his own half and attacked the Merthyr defence, breaking 4 tackles before being chased down but he evaded another 3 Merthyr players to run over for the superb 60 meter try. The Eirias crowd were still on their feet as Carlton-Jones converted.
Hopkins was looking dangerous with the ball in hand with a number of searing 20 yard darts as the RGC players looked to open the game up. It wasn’t all one sided though with the visitors breaking on a couple of occasions including an impressive pacey run from Darren Harris. Merthyr got a penalty just before half time to make the score RGC 14-6 Merthyr.
The 2nd half failed to get going and was a midfield arm wrestle for most of the 40mins. The referees whistle was also playing its part making the play disjointed. RGC were penalised for a number of forward passes and Carlton Jones had a try disallowed for crossing to the disappointment of the home crowd. Hopkins got the try his efforts deserved after Alex Schwarz released him and the winger danced along the touchline to go over in the corner. Carlton-Jones made it 3 from 3 conversions.
After the game Head Coach Chris Horsman gave his thoughts on the game “It was a good win for us and we showed great endeavour but of course we are disappointed not to get the bonus point. The intent was their but it was a bit disjointed in the second half for many reasons and it came down to some fine margins. We had about 5 chances to score but it just didn’t happen and maybe the wind played a part in a number of forward passes. Overall we are pleased with the brand of rugby we played tonight and we look forward to next weeks home game”.
*****
Dolgellau 29 v Bethesda 19
With both these teams in the lower half of the league table, the good-sized crowd that turned out to watch this match could have been forgiven for anticipating a turgid, post-Christmas encounter. However, they were pleasantly surprised as it proved to be one of the most entertaining matches seen on the Marian this season, with both teams endeavouring to play open, exciting rugby.
Bethesda started energetically with their backs looking eager and sharp. This early pressure paid dividends as Dolgellau were adjudged offside at ruck, allowing scrum-half, Mathew Parry to slot the ensuing penalty kick, giving the visitors an early three point lead. Within minutes however Dolgellau were on level terms as right-wing, Tomos Roberts responded with a successful penalty kick from twenty-five metres.
The Dolgellau forwards were securing good ball, allowing their backs to launch effective attacks, with centre, Dylan Evans and full-back, Huw Wilcox looking particularly threatening. One such attack saw outside-half, Gerwyn Thomas advancing into the Bethesda half at speed. A well-timed pass to his full-back gave Wilcox the choice of either passing to his wing or going for the gap himself. He chose the latter path and it proved a good choice as he found a clear route between the Bethesda defenders, allowing him to score an excellent try between the posts. The conversion was a formality for Tom Roberts, thus securing a 10-3 advantage for his team.
Although the Dolgellau pack were quite dominant at this stage, a lack of discipline saw the hosts penalised for indiscretions, allowing Mathew Parry to kick two further penalties for the visitors, reducing the deficit to one point. However, as the game moved into its second quarter the Dolgellau pack’s dominance increased, allowing them to shove their opponents back many metres at virtually every scrum. Such was the home team’s confidence, when they were awarded a penalty fifteen metres from Bethesda’s tryline, they opted for a set scrum rather than a kick at goal. With the Bethesda pack under severe pressure, the scrum had to be reset on two occasions. On the third time of asking, the referee’s patience became exhausted and he ran between the posts to award Dolgellau a penalty-try. Tom Roberts` successful conversion made the score 17-9.
However, Dolgellau’s lack of discipline again allowed the visitors back into the game as they were penalised for being offside in midfield - Mathew Parry’s successful kick again keeping the visitors in touch. As the interval was reached, the 17-12 score line meant that all was to play for in the second-half.
Early in the second half Dolgellau launched a promising attack down the right flank. With a try there for the asking, Huw Wilcox was caught in two minds and delayed his pass to wing, Tom Roberts. The delay led to his pass being adjudged forward and the opportunity was lost. Within minutes however, centre Dylan Evans was able to break clear. Although tackled short of the Bethesda tryline the ball was quickly recycled to Gerwyn Thomas on the left, who sprinted in for a try in the corner. Tom Roberts` excellent conversion made the score 24-12. However,
Bethesda responded with a try of their own as centre, Cameron Moore, charged over to the right of the posts; Mathew Parry’s conversion again bringing the visitors within reach at 24-19. Although the Bethesda pack played with greater determination in the second half, Dolgellau were not to be denied. A concerted attack saw the ball moved smoothly to Tom Roberts on the right flank and he was able to dive in at the corner for a fine try, which went unconverted.
As the final whistle beckoned the match became very tetchy as some of the Bethesda players` frustration came to the fore. During this period their hooker, Dylan Hughes, was red-carded for illegal use of the knee at a ruck. The final scoreline stood at 29-19, with Dolgellau’s four try tally giving them a valuable bonus point and a well-deserved victory.
*****
Menai Bridge 46 v Benllech 0
After several weeks of inactivity due to several postponed matches due to waterlogged pitches, Menai were pleased to kickstart the second half of their league campaign with an emphatic 8 try demolition of local rivals Benllech and register the double over them.
Although a little rusty at times, Menai dominated throughout, scoring four tries in each half, claiming the bonus point just before the interval. Left winger, Dion McGrath, had a field day running in a hat trick of tries whilst Hooker, Gareth Jones and Flanker, Gareth Parry notched a brace of tries each, with Centre, Sam.Williams, claiming the remaining try. Outside half, Iwan Jones converted three from wide angles in a difficult, strong, cross wind.
*****
Nant Conwy 40 v Yr Wyddgrug/Mold 0
Sgorwyr Nant Conwy Scorers:
Ceisiau / Tries: CARWYN ELLIS(2), IFAN JONES(2), ROBIN ‘EIDDA’ DAVIES & GARETH JONES
Trosi / Conversions: AERON JONES(5)
Cymrodd ychydig o amser i’r ddau dîm setlo yn dilyn egwyl y Nadolig a chwarae pur gyfartal a welwyd am y 10 munud cyntaf cyn i bac Nant ddechrau gosod pwysau ar bac yr ymwelwyr. Roedd 20 munud wedi mynd, pan agorwyd y sgorio gan y capten, Carwyn E yn rhuthro dros y llinell ar y chwith allan o hyrddiad gan y blaenwyr. Trosodd Aeron y cyntaf o’i bum trosiad arbennig yn ystod y prynhawn. Ar ôl hanner awr, bu i’r asgellwr Rob Parry dorri mewn o le cyfyng eto ar y chwith gyda Robin Eidda y blaen asgellwr yn codi’r bêl o’r tacliad i dirio. Rhoddodd hyn sgôr o 14 – 0 ar yr hanner a gwelwyd hyn fel sgôr deg ar yr egwyl.
Torrwyd calonnau’r ymwelwyr yn fuan wedi ail ddechrau pan fu i Gareth, yr eilydd o flaenasgellwr yn dilyn toriad gwaedlyd wrth lygad Ifan P, godi’r bêl a llwyddo i osgoi pob tacl gan y blaenwyr i ruthro i sgorio cais dan y pyst. Roedd rhan fwyaf o’r chwarae ymysg y blaenwyr a rhybuddiwyd y ddwy ochr am fanion technegol mewn ryciau. Yn anffodus, Gareth oedd y cyntaf i dramgwyddo wedi’r rhybudd a derbyniodd gerdyn melyn ar ôl 22 munud. Bum munud yn ddiweddarach, cosbwyd rhif 15 Yr Wyddgrug am yr un drosedd ond wrth fynegi’i anfodlobrwydd wrth gerdded o’r maes, trodd lliw y cerdyn i fod yn goch.
O’r sgrym nesaf, aeth Carwyn trosodd am ei ail gais ond bu i’r ymgais am drosiad lithro’r ochr anghywir i’r pyst. Gyda’r pwynt bonws wedi’i ennill, ymlaciodd Nant a bu i’r hannerwr, Ifan sgorio dau gais yn y tri munud olaf gyda’r ddau’n troi’ drosgeisiau i roi sgôr (uchaf y dydd yn y gynghrair) o 40 – 0 ar y diwedd.
Bydd Nant yn chwarae nesaf i ffwrdd yn erbyn PWLLHELI ar y 12fed Ionawr 2013 (Adran 1 y Gogledd) gyda’r gic gyntaf am 2.30 o’r gloch.
Both teams took a few minutes to settle into the match after the Christmas break and during the first 10 to 12 minutes or so, parity was evident. But then, the Nant pack began to show thier superiority and it was no surprise when Captain, Carwyn E picked up a ball from a ruck and stormed over for a try after 20 minutes play. Full Back, Aeron converted the first of his 5 excellent attempts during the afternoon..
After half an hour, Rob Parry, the winger cut inside from a tight space on the left wing and flanker, Robin Eidda was on hand to gather the ball and crash over the ‘whitewash’. A very fair scoreline of 14 – 0 was evident at the interval.
Mold’s hearts werr broken early in the second half by replacement flanker, Gareth. He was playing due to an eye injury oblatined by Ifan P just before the break. Gareth picked up the ball amongst a group pf players in midfield and, somehow, managed to avoid all attempts at tackling him to score underneath the posts.
Play continued amongst the forwards mainly and both teams were warned about technical offences in rucks/mauls. Gareth was the next to offend after the warning and he received a ‘yellow’ card after 22 minutes play. Five minutes later, the Mold no. 15 was yellow carded for a similar offence, but in walking off the pitch, he explained his displasure at the decision and the colour of the card turned to red!
From the ensuing scrum, Carwyn Scored his second try but the only conversion failure occurred when the ball just twisted the wrong side of the posts at the last second. With the ‘4 try bonus’ point having been secured, Nant relaxed and the backs came into play more and Ifan, the scrum half scored his two tries within 3 minutes of each other at the end of play with Aeron completing another excellent match for him. This gave a final score of 40 – 0 (the highest score of the day in Division 1 North).
The next match that Nant will be play will be a Division 1 North away match against PWLLHELI on the 12th January 2013 with the kick off at 2.30 p.m.
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