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WRU Division One East
RGC 40 v Penallta 5
Head Coach Chris Horsman was pleased with his sides 1st half performance as they beat Penallta by 40 points to 5.
“I was happy with the 1st half and to come in at half time with 5 tries, but we can be slightly disappointed with our 2nd half. The dressing room was a bit like a morgue after the game, and that shows how far we have come as we have won the match. I thought Andrew Williams was outstanding today and he is what we are all about. He has played local club rugby and is now playing for RGC where is consistently improving with every game playing at a high standard.” Horsman also gave praise to his front row as well “One of the things that was thrown at us at the start if the season was the fact we wouldn’t be able to compete physically and today we dominated the scrum and line out. It’s all about putting the polish on our performances and to be honest we should have had 70 points but we won and we look forward to the next game.
With the match being played before the International Double Header Chris Horsman also thanked the IRB and Conwy Council for allowing RGC to play at Eirias “it was a big plus to have the game here as Eirias is important to us, and I am also grateful to Penallta for supporting what we are trying to do by coming up last night and providing a good game for the fans”
RGC made it 2 wins out of 2 at Eirias on Saturday with an impressive 40-5 victory over Penallta. Harri Evans was looking lively from the kick off with a couple of breaks from midfield looking for that 1st try and on one occasion was tap tackled as he ran towards the line. RGC were looking to move through the phases and having a lot of the territory.
With all the territory and an possession the pressure was being put on the Penallta defence and the try came in the 15th minute as scrum half Afon Bagshaw picking up the ball from the back of the pack to run under the posts. Conversion from Mitch McGahan made it 7-nil.
From the restart Penallta looked to get back in the game and forced RGC back on the line. A quick offload from Rhys Stephens gave captain Gavin Jones the chance to run in the corner for the try. RGC would have been disappointed to let the try in from the restart.
Andy Baston and Iolo Evans were making some positive runs and the Penallta defence were pulling out all the stops to prevent another try. At some stages it was visible from the players receiving treatment that the Pitmen were putting their bodies on the line.
Penallta failed to collect a loose ball after a few attempts and the boot of Tom Hughes kicked the ball toward the line, the RGC prop showed a turn of pace as he outran the defence to dive onto the ball for the try. McGahan converted a difficult kick to make it 14-5.
Harri Evans was causing difficulties for Penallta with his direct runs stretching the Pitmen’s backline. The RGC scrum was also looking impressive and from a scrum the next try came, as the ball was played wide to Carwyn Ap Myrddin who dived over in the corner. McGahan was impressive again converting another tricky kick.
The home supporters were enjoying seeing RGC playing some dynamic rugby with plenty of offloads and impressive running and the next try was started by Kelvin Davies in his own half. The Gog’s captain picked up the ball from the scrum and ran 15 yards before passing to Iolo Evans who evaded 2 tackles to after running 40 yards for the 5 points. McGahan added the conversion.
Mitch McGahan’s boot was responsible for the 5th try of the half as his crossfield kick found Carwyn Ap Myrddin on the tryline, and the winger only had to place the ball over for the points. McGahan made it 5 conversions out of 5 for a half time lead 35-5.
The 2nd half was a scrappier affair, as the referees whistle played a big part in the flow of the game. RGC were attacking the Penallta line but the away side were putting in a big shift to stop anymore tries. Mike Jones and Llywarch Ap Myrddin were linking up well and had a few chances to get that next try. Centre Harri Evans again looked powerful as he tested the tackling skills of the Pitmen with a number of breaks.
RGC front row were also proving powerful as the pushed Penallta back on their own line and the pressure soon told after Davies broke through again to offload to Carwyn Ap Myrddin who kept his feet the correct side of the touchline to dance over for his hatrick of tries and a 40-5 win to RGC.
The 6 try haul and impressive 1st half performance gave the home supporters a lot to cheer about at the final whistle and they also know a lot more is to come from the young side as the season progresses.
****
WRU Division One North
Caernarfon 3 v Pwllheli 11
Caernarfon took to the field in a brand new strip, courtesy of Rondo and Siop Roberts, Felinheli, for this first home league encounter of the season due to the ground improvements scheme. However they failed to get off to a winning start as Pwllheli thwarted every threat and took the few opportunities afforded them to record a deserved victory.
The opening exchanges were competitive with Caernarfon gaining territorial advantage and recycling, albeit slowly, to pressurise the Pwllheli defence. Sadly for the spectators too many players reverted to throwing cheap shots off the ball that the referee was oblivious to and as a result the promising open and fluid encounter expected never materialised.
On ten minutes John Pugh struck a penalty to open Pwllheli’s account following an obstruction and there then followed a series of kickable penalties for both sides that could and should have put a totally different perspective on the game.
Caernarfon looked the more likely side to cross the whitewash at this point with one fly half break bringing them to within meters. There then followed a series of scrummages and lineouts on the five-meter line, but to their detriment the Cofis failed to capitalise and when a move broke down in midfield they soon found themselves having to do some defending of their own. Pwllheli appeared to be having the same bout of white line fever but on the fourth pick up and drive Deio Brunelli squeezed in at the corner to give Pwllheli an unexpected eight-point cushion at half time.
Caernarfon had the benefit of the slope in the second half and were given an added bonus when yet another off the ball punch was spotted leading to the instant dismissal of Pwllheli’s number eight. Lance Owen-Williams gave Caernarfon their first points of the match when he converted the ensuing penalty. Ironically the dismissal spurred Pwllheli to a far greater degree than the Cofis, as the reduced pack upped their game, being quicker in thought and deed and exploiting Caernarfons weakness at the breakdown.
The Cofis few forays into opposition territory often resulted in the ball being spilt or jackelled well by their counterparts with second row Robert Williams becoming an ever increasing influence and an inspiration to his team mates.
Caernarfon to their credit kept plugging away but could not establish themselves in the business end of the field in order pose a worthwhile threat. The task became greater still when Nick Butterworth added a penalty to open an eight point gap once again meaning that two scores were required within the last ten minutes to salvage the match. The task proved beyond Caernarfons means although one final flourish did see them camped in Pwlheli’s twenty-two prior to the final whistle.
***
Dolgellau 12 v Llangefni 12
On a Marian pitch made heavy by overnight rain, this match was largely dominated by the opposing packs. Both teams tried in turn to spread the ball wide but the soft pitch largely negated the efforts of the speedier backs and consequently try–scoring opportunities were scarce. The first quarter was a pretty even affair, with Llangefni, who were obviously fired-up for this match, pressing hard for a try. In fact, it was during this period that their best try-scoring opportunity arose.
One of the Llangefni centres took the ball at speed and broke through the Dolgellau defence line. With the try-line seemingly at his mercy he was denied by a last-gasp, try-saving tackle by Dolgellau right-wing, Iwan Williams. Llangefni continued to attack the Dolgellau try-line but, following a turn-over at a ruck near the try-line, Dolgellau advanced at pace into the Llangefni half through good inter-passing between the forwards and backs. The Dolgellau number eight, Dylan Llewelyn and left-wing, Gethin Edwards played significant roles in this promising counter-attack.
As Dolgellau piled on the pressure the Llangefni forwards were penalised for not moving away from the ball at a ruck, allowing the home full-back, Tom Roberts, to put over a penalty kick from thirty metres. This advantage did not last long however and within minutes the visitors were on even terms as their outside-half, Carwyn Milburn, converted a penalty kick, following a Dolgellau transgression.
Llangefni had a simple but effective game-plan - time after time they used their bulky forwards on the charge down the middle of the park thus sucking in the Dolgellau defenders, before releasing the ball to their backs. The smaller Dolgellau forwards coped well with this tactic and tackled bravely, but the effort required to stem the Llangefni attacks meant that their attacks were limited. As the interval approached Dolgellau were penalised for encroaching offside and the ensuing penalty kick by Milburn meant that the score stood at 3-6 at half-time.
The second-half continued in much the same vein as the first. Llangefni enjoyed a territorial advantage for most of the half, courtesy of their hefty forwards who continued to charge in turn at the Dolgellau defence. Although this gained them significant yardage they did not seriously threaten the Dolgellau try-line. However, a further penalty kick by outside-half, Milburn stretched the visitors’ advantage to six points.
Being further in arrears spurred the Dolgellau forwards to increase their efforts, with number eight, Dylan Llewelyn, leading by example, with his telling runs at the heart of the Llangefni defence. When the hosts spread the ball wide to their backs, centres Dylan Evans and Huw Wilcox, also made their mark, breaching the Llangefni defences on several occasions with their penetrating runs. From one such attack Dolgellau were awarded a penalty, which was duly kicked by Tom Roberts, narrowing the deficit to three points.
With the match by now into its final quarter Dolgellau pressed for the elusive try which would give them the lead. However, they had to settle for another penalty kick, this time converted by replacement full-back, Dion Jones. A further penalty was awarded to Dolgellau within a matter of minutes, this time from greater range and a more difficult angle. This did not prove a problem for Dion Jones however and he stroked the ball over from 33 metres to regain the lead for Dolgellau.
Llangefni, much to their credit, were determined not to leave the Marian empty-handed and they renewed their attacks in the Dolgellau half. At this point one or two Dolgellau forwards showed their inexperience by needlessly handling at rucks, thus conceding two penalties within minutes of each other, both in kickable positions. Luckily for them, Milburn was only able to convert one effort, leaving the score at 12-12, which is how it stood as the final whistle sounded.
All in all a draw was a fair result, although both sides probably rued the fact that they weren’t able to snatch a victory which would have strengthened their respective league positions. Dolgellau nominated Dylan Llewelyn as their Man of the Match for his sterling work in leading Dolgellau’s counter-attacks.
Sad to note yet again that the match was delayed several times to allow the officials to clear dog faeces from the pitch!
***
NANT CONWY - 20 v BRO FFESTINIOG - 7
(Hanner amser / Half time: 6 - 0)
Sgorwyr / Scorers:
NANT CONWY: Ceisiau / Tries: ROBIN PARRY & ROBIN GLYN
Trosi / Conversions: AERON JONES (2)
Ciciau Cosb / Penalties: AERON JONES (2)
BRO FFESTINIOG: Cais / Try: OWAIN ROBERTS
Trosi / Conversion: BARRY ROBERTS
Ar brynhawn sych yn dilyn tipyn o law ac olion timoedd rhyngwladol SAMOA a TONGA yn ymarfer ar y caeau am wythnos yr un, dangosodd pac Nant eu hawydd yn y sgrym gyntaf un pan enillwyd y bêl yn erbyn y pen. Yn yr ail, gwthiwyd pac Bro’n ôl gryn bellter. Ciciodd Aeron ei gic gosb gyntaf ar ôl 4 munud, methu un arall ar chwarter awr a throsi’i ail ar ôl 27 munud. Bu bron i’r prop, Robin Glyn sgorio cais ond bu iddo wthio’r bêl ymlaen fel yr oedd yn disgyn tros y linell! Hyd y rhan hon o’r gêm, ni fu fawr o bwysau gan Bro ond, er tegwch, daethant yn gyryfach am y 10 munud olaf heb unwiath bwyso ar linell Nant. Sgôr o 6 – 0 ar yr hanner felly.
Dechreuodd yr ail hanner gyda Nant yn pwyso ac roedd y bachgen newydd o Abergele (Robin Parry) sydd wedi chwarae pob gêm tros Nant eleni ond yn chwarae ar yr asgell am y tro cyntaf, yn falch o ddathlu’i benblwydd yn 21 oed drwy sgorio’i gais cyntaf i’r Clwb ar yr asgell chwith ar ôl 4 munud. Gwelwyd trosiad anhygoel gan Aeron o’r linell asgell. Gwelwyd tua 20 munud o chwarae cyfartal wedyn gyda’r ddau dîm yn brwydro’n galed rhwng y ddwy linell 22 metr. Gyda 5 munud yn weddill, bu i Bro sgorio’u hunig gais (un haeddiannol o ystyried) trwy’r canolwr, Owain Roberts. Trosodd Barry, y canolwr arall i roi ychydig bwysau ar Nant. Ond, gyda 3 munud yn unig yn weddill, ymosododdd blaenwyr Nant yn gryf gan ennill pêl ar ôl pêl wrth ennill llathenni ar hyd y cae. Yn dilyn hyrddiad arall, bu i Rob Glyn, wneud iawn am ei gamgymeriad yn yr hanner cyntaf trwy blymio gyda’r bêl at waelod y postyn a thirio tros y linell. Clywyd y glec wrth iddo daro’r postyn tros y cae ond roedd y sŵn hwnnw’n llawer gwaeth na’r anaf meddai. Tasg eithaf hawdd i Aeron oedd cloi’r gêm trwy drosi i roi sgôr derfynol o 20 – 7.
Teimlai pawb a oedd yn bresennol fod hon wedi bod yn glasur o gêm gyda’r ddwy ochr eisiau chwarae rygbi glân a gonest – hysbyseb da i rygbi yn y Gogledd, ddywedwn i!
Bydd y tîm Cyntaf yn chwarae nesaf GARTREF yn erbyn BETHESDA yn Adran 1 y Gogledd ymhen tair wythnos (08.12.2012) tra bydd yr Ail Dîm yn chwarae Ail Dîm yr un gwrthwynebwyr GARTREF hefyd.
On a dry afternoon after several days of rain and the effects of a week each of training on the pitches by both the SAMOA and TONGA International squads, the Nant pack showed their intentions in the first scrum when they won the ball against the head. In the next scrum, the Bro pack was shoved back quite a distance. Aeron kicked his first successful penalty after 4 minutes, missed one after a quarter of an hour but was successful again with his third attempt after 27 minutes. Robin Glyn, the prop, should have scored a try then but, he fumbled the ball as he was dropping over the line! From this point onwards, Bro started to play their usual game without really pressing on the home line. A score of 6 – 0 at the interval then!
The second half began with Nant pressing and the new lad from Abergele (Robert Parry) who has started every match for Nant this year but playing on the left wing today was really proud to score his first ever try for Nant on the day he was celebrating his 21st birthday!. Aeron kicked a tremendous conversion from the touchline. There followed a period of about 20 minutes of parity in play by both sides with strong tackling by both teams. With 5 minutes left, Bro scored a (deserved) try through Centre Owain Roberts, whilst Barry Roberts his co-Centre converted to put Nant under a bit of pressure. But, with 3 minutes left, the Nant forwards gained yards after yards in working their way up the pitch and prop, Robin atoned for his earlier miss when he dived over to touch the base of the post before touching the ground behind the line to score a try. Aeron converted this try to seal the win. A final score of 20 – 7 then!
Everybody present thought that this had been an excellent match with both sides wanting to play clean and honest rugby – a really good advertisement for the standard of rugby played in North Wales, I would say!
The first team will be playing their next match AT HOME in Division 1 North against BETHESDA in three weeks (08.12.2012) whilst the Second team will also be playing the same opponents AT HOME.
Canlyniadau arall / Other results: NANT CONWY (2) – 41 v BRO FFESTINIOG (2) - 7
*****
WRU Division Three North
Menai Bridge 3 v Wrexham 26
Ratcliffe stars for Wrexham
Wrexham Left Winger, Jack Ratcliffe, was the single-handed match winner for the first ever visit to Menai. He scored 3 tries, all from half-way following interceptions of Menai attacking moves.
Play was even for the opening 25 minutes, Menai dominating set scrums and Wrexham superior in the lineouts providing a platform for both sets of backs.Ratcliffe then raced away down the left flank for his first try , Scrum-half Gavin Williams adding the conversion. Immediately afterwards there followed an 8 minute period of intense pressure from Bridge on the visitors' goal-line, but failed to turn this advantage into points except for an Iwan Joned penalty, making the half-times score 7-3.
Half way through the second period, Ratcliffe struck again when sloppy Menai handling gifted him his second free run from mid-field for a trjy which Williams improved and a lead of 14-3.
With ten minutes remaining , Menai with a three man overlap again allowed Ratcliffe his third interception, in mid-field, and race away for his hat-trick try , Williams again adding the extra points and stretch their score to 21-3. Just on time Wrexham's other winger Jess James, scrambled over for a bonus winning fourth try enabling Wrexham to leap-frog Menai up the Table.
*****
ROUND-UP FROM RHYL
Rhyl 1st 27 v Shotton 28
Rhyl's young Dragons agonisingly lost a pulsating league encounter 27-28 at a muddy Waen on Saturday by a single point despite a courageous second half fightback. Against an experienced and physically much larger Shotton pack the Dragons were under pressure from the start and after conceding three early scores had to battle hard to reach the half time whistle only facing a 17 point deficit.
Following some encouraging words from coach Phil Blakoe Rhyl were soon on the offensive and a score in the corner from wing Paul Sellwood, converted by Callum Bennet began to reduce the arrears. By now the dragons were playing at their usual high tempo despite the difficult conditions, and despite a Shotton penalty a further try from Sellwood and one for Stu Fell Crook saw the home side take a deserved lead.
Again, a further penalty saw Shotton edge ahead before Paul Sellwood completed an excellent hat trick that seemed to give the home side a winning lead, however with virtually the last play of the game Shotton scored to secure the win. Despite having to settle for a losing bonus point coach Blakoe was delighted with the spirit and attitude displayed by his young side.
**
A depleted Rhyl seconds lost away at Flint 0-37.
Captain Mike Potter managed to scrape together a full starting lineup, albeit with half a dozen walking wounded. But a mixture of bad discipline and the continuing injury problems meant Rhyl finished the game with 12, as they fell 37-0. There were plenty of positives to be taken though as tackling was improved as was ball handling. Some great runs; especially from Martin Colin and Chris Fell-Crook and sterling defence work from veteran Simon Kennedy.
**
Mold Vets 50 v Rhyl Vets 15
Rhyl veterans started the second match of their comeback season with some more familiar names from days gone by, ably led by skipper for the day Nicky Maxwell. Kevin Smith came out of retirement to take up his familiar role at fly half with Alun Lloyd, characteristically watertight in defence, and a youthful Gwyn Thomas joining him in the back line.
Russell Ward showed great commitment taking to the pitch after just arriving back in the country after a long flight from India. In an enjoyable 60 minute game of rugby there were some memorable moments. Andy Williams secured the first points of the day for Rhyl with a superb touch line break to score in the corner. At the other end of the field Richie Nelson showed a deceptive turn of pace, chasing down the Mold centre in a try saving tackle inches from the try line.
Gareth John showed his talent and relative youth with some darting runs from the base of the rucks, out pacing both the opposition and his own support players to score a great solo try. The move of the game came from Williams who again collected the ball deep in his own half and set off down the touchline before stepping inside to avoid the waiting fullback. Williams continued on his run across the pitch eventually linking with his opposite wing before being brought down in a last gasp tackle from the home side.
Anthony Williams scored a last minute try after a mazy run through the opposition defence. Old man of the match went to Simon Farrell for a committed all round performance. Mold finished the match worthy winners 50-15. Any former or new players wanting to play vet's rugby get in touch with team manager Paul Jones on 07770481403.
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