All the results, reports and pictures as they come in for the weekend of 21st January
If you know the score of any of the missing results, it would be appreciated if you could please email them to gwcymru1@aol.com - many thanks
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WRU Division One North
Bala 6 vs Nant Conwy 42
Caernarfon 20 vs Bro Ffestiniog 18
Llandudno 3 vs Pwllheli 56
Llangefni 20 vs Mold 14
Ruthin 10 vs Bethesda 15
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Llandudno 3 v 56 Pwllheli(h/t 3 - 27)
On a wet and muddy second team pitch in Llandudno, the home side expended all their energy in the first quarter unsing the squally and bitterly cold wind and rain showers to their advantage and indeed were ahead on points for all of ten minutes, Dave Davies having converted a penalty for an off-side offence after four minutes of play. For the rest of the match, it was constant pressure from Pwllheli. culminating in ten tries for the visitors at regular intervals until the final whistle.
Pwllheli tries were scored by nine players and the referee - flanker Richard Hughes opening the scoring followed by second row Geraint Parry, young wing John Pugh, fly half Matt Duggan, and flanker Tom Parry with one conversion from full back Owain Williams.
Nic Butterworth opened the scoring after eight minutes of the second half with his try contribution, followed by No8 Huw Williams, substitute hooker Alan Roberts, a penalty try when the same player was obstructed illegally on the tryline two minutes later, and a final try from Ifan Roberts playing at outside centre for the first time this season. Full back Williams managed two conversions despite the blustery wind.
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Caernarfon 20 v 18 Bro Ffestiniog
The composure within the Cofi side saw them edge even closer to the Division 1 North title. However, a vastly improved and focused Bro Ffestiniog side made them fight all the way and kept the large and appreciative crowd on tenterhooks throughout.
Caernarfon started brightly and applied pressure from the start but found Marc Morris and Dewi James in the opposition ranks at hand to thwart most potential breakthroughs. With the Cofi scrum and lineout functioning well, the industry of Trystan Gwilym at scrumhalf kept asking questions of the defence. Midway through the first half the inclusion of speedster Lance Williams as an extra centre from the blindside wing split the defence. Although stopped short of the line, quick recycling and the perfect timing of Paul Williams’s pass created the space for impressive full back Dylan Parry to open the scoring. Kelvin Morris duly added the extras with an inch perfect conversion.
Minutes later Bro replied with a confident Barry Roberts penalty following a non-binding offence at scrum time. Caernarfon however were soon on the attack again and a downfield kick and chase resulted in a five-meter-attacking scrum when the Bro full back was deemed to have carried over to ground. Having secured the ball the Cofi pack exerted controlled pressure and drove their opponents back over their try line for Rhys Evans to ground a classic pushover try.
Bro to their credit rallied well and exerted pressure of their own towards the end of the half. Barry Roberts slotted another penalty for not releasing, the offence that was penalised most often during the afternoon with both sides being equally to blame. This was however a testament to the stubborn defence of both packs of forwards. A Dewi James break came close for Bro but the Cofis edged to 15 – 6 at half time when Kelvin Morris struck a sweet penalty for not binding.
Playing downhill Bro threw everything into attack at the beginning of the second half with wing Dei Roberts a thorn in Cofis ranks with his strong direct running. From a lineout peel, quick release created an overlap but fullback Dan Jones refrained from releasing his winger and had the strength to power over despite the close attention of would be tacklers. The conversion failed, as were another few penalty attempts by both kickers.
Lance Williams repeated his midfield incursion and again split the Bro defence but on this occasion, the final pass went astray. However, soon, he was not to be denied and scored a wonderful individual effort when no real threat was apparent. Caernarfon’s forwards, with Leung and Mathews purposeful had driven up field for Gwilym to drift blind where he found fullback Dylan Parry at hand. Slick passing by both Parry and Dafydd Roberts released Lance who ghosted past his opposite number and covering fullback from twenty meters to score.
An added Caernarfon score at this point would have eased the home fans worries but Bro had other ideas. The Roberts brothers were instrumental in driving forward and three very promising attacks frustratingly failed when the ball was dislodged in contact. With the clock nearing eighty minutes a good scrum and gain line crossing charge finally led to wing Dei Roberts getting his just reward when his strong charge took him beyond the whitewash. His brother Barry duly added a difficult conversion to bring Bro within two points.
Three nail biting minutes followed knowing that one transgression could be very costly. To his credit, Morris kicked well out of hand to keep Bro pegged in their own half and it was this form of composure throughout that saw them claim yet another deserved victory.
Both teams and coaches should be complemented on their preparation with the young referee commanding respect throughout.
This coming Saturday it’s a Swalec cup fixture at Nant Conwy when yet another expectant crowd will gather.
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Y BALA – 6 v NANT CONWY – 41
(Hanner amser / Half time: 6 - 17)
Sgorwyr / Scorers:
Nant Conwy: Ceisiau/ Tiesy: SION JONES (1), ERYL JONES (1) OWAIN JONES (1), JAMES JONES (1), ANDRE CHANNER-HUGHES (1), CARWYN ap MYRDDIN (2)
Trosi / Conversions: CARWYN ap MYRDDIN (3)
Y Bala: Cosb / Penalties: OWAIN ALED(2)
Mewn tywydd gwyntog gyda sawl cawod, daeth ffitrwydd Nant i’r golwg gan sgorio’n gyson drwy gydol y gêm. Siôn, yn chwarae yn yr ail reng ,aeth trosodd am y cais cyntaf ar ôl 9 munud yn dilyn pwyso ar linell Y Bala gan y pac. Methwyd yr ymdrech i drosi yn y gwynt cryf. Ymatebodd y tîm cartref gyda dwy gic gosb lwyddiannus gyda’r gwynt gan Owain Aled - un ar ôl 15 munud a’r ail wedi 24 munud. Gyda hanner awr ar y cloc, sgoriodd Nant eu hail gais mewn dull tebyg i’r cyntaf ond mai Eryl, (rhif 7) a diriodd y tro hwn. Eto, methwyd y trosiad. Wedi pwyso pellach gan y blaenwyr, rhyddhawyd y bêl i ganiatáu’r hanerwr, Owain i blymio trosodd o dan y pyst bum munud cyn yr egwyl. Troswyd y cais hwn gan Carwyn ap i roi sgôr o 6 - 17 ar yr egwyl.
Bu i’r pedwerydd Jones, sef y prop James, fynd trosodd i sgorio’r pedwerydd cais (ag ennill y pwynt bonws) ar ôl 2 funud o’r ail hanner. Bu’r Bala fwy yn y gêm am y 10 munud nesaf cyn i’r asgellwr ifanc, wibio ar hyd yr asgell chwith i dirio eto. Aflwyddiannus oedd yr ymdrech i drosi unwaith eto yn y gwynt cryf. Gyda Nant yn dod yn fwyfwy amlwg, sgoriodd Carwyn ap (rhif 15) ei gais cyntaf gyda rhediad cryf o’r cefn i lwyr guro’r amddiffyn cartref. Trosodd ei gais ei hun cyn ail adrodd yr un math o symudiad gyda 5 munud yn weddill a throsi’r cais hwnnw hefyd. Sgôr derfynol o 6 -41 felly.
Bydd NANT yn chwarae GARTREF yn erbyn CAERNARFON dydd Sadwrn nesaf, 28ain IONAWR 2012 mewn gêm Plât SWALEC gyda’r gic gyntaf am 2.00 o’r gloch.
On a windy and squally day with several showers of rain, Nant’s superior fitness came to the fore with regular scoring throughout the match Lock, Sion went over for the first try after 9 minutes play following pressure on the home line by the forwards. The conversion attempt failed in the strong wind. Y Bala replied with two successful penalties with the wind and scored by Owain Aled. These occurred after 15 minutes and 24 mins. play. With half an hour gone, Nant scored their second try in a similar fashion to the first and through Eryl, the flanker this time. Again, the conversion attempt failed. With 35 mins on the clock and constant pressure by the pack, fly half, Owain was released to touch down beneath the posts. Carwyn ap (15) was successful with the conversion this time to make a half time score of 6 – 17.
The fourth Jones, scored the fourth (and bonus point try) for Nant only 2 mins to the second half. Prop, James was the happy man who touched down this time. The ‘Jones’ sequence was interrupted after 17 minutes play when young left winger, Andre, left the home defence in his wake as he powered over for a try in the corner. Another failed conversion attempt but Nant began to control the game from this point onwards. Carwyn ap scored the first of his two tries after 25 mins when he completely out flanked the home defence. In addition, he converted his own try. With around five minutes of play left, history repeated itself when Carwyn ap dived over after another excellent run and he got up to convert his try again. This made the final score 6 -41.
NANT’s next match is a HOME game against CAERNARFON on Saturday afternoon, 28th January 2012 in a SWALEC Plate match with the kick off at 2.30 p.m.
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RUTHIN 10 v BETHESDA 15
Ruthin played Bethesda for the first time this season hoping to hoist themselves away from the relegation zone in Division 1 but as at Mold last week found themselves two tries down in the first half and had to work hard in the second half to recover the position.
The Blues went ahead with a penalty kick from fly half Wil Davies in the first ten minutes with the visitors responding a few minutes later with their own penalty kick. Ruthin were having a significant amount of territory and possession with some great forwards play but were let down in finishing by conceding penalties which allowed the visitors to clear their lines.
Towards the end of the first half Bethesda turned up the pressure and the Blues were conceding penalties in their own half. The visitors used their penalty kicks to create scoring opportunities and got two tries in the last 10 minutes of the first half one of which was converted putting them 15-3 ahead at half time.
The Blues came out roaring in the second half and after some good pressure flanker Clwyd Jones bolted over for a try converted by Davies. The Blues continued their aggression throughout the second half with only occasional breaks out of defence by the visitors.
In the last ten minutes of the match Ruthin’s pressure was enormous with phase after phase of attacking rugby but Bethesda’s defence although desperate at times was impressive and the Blues were unable to break through.
The whistle blew with no further score at 15-10 and the Blues having to be content with a losers bonus point for the second week running in games which they had a good chance of winning.
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WRU Division Two North
Abergele 10 vs Denbigh 5
COBRA 32 vs Rhyl 0
Dolgellau 71 vs Wrexham 5
Llanidloes 20 vs Newtown 12
Machynlleth vs Colwyn Bay - postponed
Dolgellau 71 v Wrexham 5
This fixture between the respective top and bottom teams in Division 2 North was never likely to be a close affair and so it proved. Both teams had to contend with a bitingly cold wind, gusting to gale force across the Marian at times, and so it was hardly surprising that the occasional pass went astray.
Despite their lowly League position, Wrexham tried their utmost to make a game of it but found themselves outgunned in all aspects of play. Lock Llion Pugh, on as a blood replacement, was the first to breach the visitors’ defence when he crashed over for a try near to the posts, thus making the conversion a formality for full-back, Tom Roberts.
Dolgellau’s second try stemmed from a take against the head at a set scrum. Centre Dylan Evans, on receiving the ball, set off on a determined run and as he approached the Wrexham try line he slipped a clever pass to flanker, Dylan Llewelyn, who drove over for a well-worked try. The conversion was missed but the flood gates had been opened.
As is typical of their play this season, many of the nine Dolgellau tries that followed stemmed from the forwards picking up and driving hard into the heart of the opponents` defence, thus creating the gaps which the forwards and backs were able to exploit. Apparent in all aspects of play was flanker Dewi Thomas, demonstrating on many occasions the side-step which was a feature of his play when he regularly wore the number ten shirt. Equally apparent in the loose play was his fellow flanker, Dylan Llewelyn, who on numerous occasions charged through the Wrexham ranks in typical upright manner. Of the Dolgellau backs, centre Ian Jones-Morris was the star performer, causing all kinds of difficulties for the Wrexham defenders with his power and pace.
With the score at 26-0, a rare Wrexham foray into the Dolgellau half enabled powerful prop, Neil Perrin, to drive over for a try which few spectators would have begrudged the visitors. After that rare act of defiance it was virtually one-way traffic as Dolgellau swept Wrexham aside in a ruthless manner. The scorers of the remainder of the Dolgellau tries were Berwyn Hughes, Ian Jones-Morris (x2), Dylan Llewelyn (x2), Anthony Scharop, Tristan Evans, Dylan Evans and Dai Arthur Owen. Tomos Roberts succeeded with three conversions before leaving the field with a twisted ankle. With the regular place-kicker off the field a number of Dolgellau players took advantage of his absence to show their kicking skills, Dewi Thomas succeeding with two conversions and Owain Thomas with one.
The loudest cheer however was reserved for Dylan Llewelyn, who followed up one of his own tries with a drop-goal conversion from an awkward angle. There was also much glee when home-team coach, Dai Owen, a formidable prop in his day, but on as a substitute full-back, sprinted twenty metres to score a try near the corner flag. Dylan Llewelyn was nominated Man-of-the-Match for his three try haul and inspiring all-round play.
Dolgellau’s next home fixture will be against Shotton Steel on Saturday, January 28th. This 4th Round SWALEC Bowl tie will kick off at 2p.m. Shotton are one of the leading teams in Division 3 North and should provide an interesting challenge.
Anyone interested in helping with the development of rugby at any level at Dolgellau RFC is warmly invited to the Club House from 1 p.m. onwards on that day to discuss the possibilities, this being part on a nationwide WRU initiative.
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WRU Division Three North
Holyhead 3 vs Welshpool 6
Llangollen 18 vs Rhosllanerchrugog 5
Menai Bridge 0 vs Harlech 10
Shotton Steel 85 vs Bangor 0
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WRU Division Two West
Aberystwyth 27 vs Loughor 27
Builth Wells 27 vs Skewen 0
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WRU Division 6 Central
Llandrindod Wells 14 vs Llanrumney 12
Llandrindod Wells 14 v Llanrumney 12
At one stage it looked as though this match was done and dusted in Llandrindod's favour but a late surge by Llanrumney so nearly snatched the prize away with two tries.
Bettering their visitors in both the scrum and the lineout, Llandrindod spent long periods of the first half in Llanrumney territory and any attacks that Llanrumney were able to make were negated by determined Llandrindod tackling, an area of their game that has seen some considerable improvement this season.
Try as both sides did, no-one managed to put points on the board in this half. Not that it was boring rugby. Committed is perhaps an apt description with maybe a shade too much enthusiasm as Llanrumney picked up two yellow cards before the half-time whistle.
A try from Llandrindod's lock Jason Prichard, conversion by David Davies, broke the stalemate but with the home side still dominant, their cause were not helped as they were reduced to 14 men with a double yellow, and thus a red card, for one of their props for dangerous play.
Llanrumney were still on the back foot though despite having a numerical advantage, and persistent off-side during mauls close to their line earned Llandrindod a penalty try, converted by Davis.
Llanrumney, probably too late, at last woke up to the possibility of defeat, and changing their tactics moved the ball out wider and it was a Llandrindod defensive error that allowed Llanrumney's wing, Craig Smith, to scamper over for a try in the corner.
More frantic, last-minute play from Llanrumney gave them a Barry Williams try in front of the posts, conversion by Chris Carmody, but it was by then too late for anything else as the referee blew for time shortly afterwards.
This week, Llandrindod travel to Cardiff to meet CIACS in the League.
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Gwynedd Districts League
Caernarfon 2nds 53 vs Bro Ffestiniog 2nds 0
Dolgellau 2nds 20 vs Bethesda 2nds 19
Porthmadog vs Llangefni 2nds
Pwllheli 2nds 7 vs Nant Conwy 2nds 13
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Clwyd Districts League
Abergele 2nds vs Rhyl 2nds
Denbigh 2nds vs Llandudno 2nds - Postponed
Mold 2nds 63 vs Colwyn Bay 2nds 0
Wrexham 2nds vs Rhos 2nds
MOLD 2NDS 63 v COLWYN BAY 2NDS 0
In a somewhat one-sided game played in a strong wind, Mold 2s, a team who could probably beat one or two teams in Division Two North, showed tight discipline, organisation and great skill to overcome a Bay side that again refused to give up by 10 tries (5 converted) and one penalty to nil in their latest Dision Four North (East) League clash.
With the strong wind blowing straight across the pitch, the toss gave no side an advantage but the Mold skills asserted themselves with tries from outside centre Adam Blunden, hooker Dave Jones, flanker Nathan Ringo and wing David Hopkins. Blunden converted his own try and scored a penalty. 25 – 0 to the home side at half time.
More of the same in the second period with tries from number 5 Steve Hedge, Blunden and Ringo again, full back Andy Roberts, fly half Richard Cochran and Wing Chris Elwell with Cochran and Blunden sharing the four conversions.
Some mention is deserved for the visitors who scarcely saw any possession from the line out or the tight. They nonetheless gave a good account of themselves under skipper for the day Henry Morris with sterling support from flanker for the day, Serge Cabazuelo and returning no 8 Richard Chinery and with more players available for next Saturday’s game again against Mold at home in the first round of the Clwyd Cup there is no reason to think that the Ceebees rebuilding process cannot start to bring better rewards and improved results.
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North Wales Youth Division One
Pwllheli 12 vs Colwyn Bay 7
Rhyl and District 17 vs Denbigh 23
Ruthin vs Mold
Wrexham 13 vs Llangefni 24
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Pwllheli Youth 12 v Colwyn Bay Youth 7
The Bay were denied a victory and even a draw in the last two minutes of this match. The Bay lead throughout this game after stand-off Pat Atkinson’s try and conversion but the home side hit back midway through the second half and took the lead in the closing minutes of the game.
The strong wind down the pitch was a major factor tactically,the home side kept it tight in the forwards with their back row always taking the ball th rough the middle ,whereas The Bay played more adventurous rugby utilising their quick back line by putting pressure on their opponents with the kick chase in the first half or spreading it wide in the second period.Pat Atkinson’s try midway into the first half was scored as a result of excellent support work with good offloads putting him through in the corner,he also confidently kicked the conversion.
Playing against the wind in the second half the visitors knew they had to work harder and increase the intensity, they defended the occasional high ball with ease and the back three worked well as a unit setting up the counter attack supported by the strong ball carriers namely Kristin Yeomans, Dubi Iwobi, Dewi Hughes and Lloyd Jones who gained hard yards into the opposition territory.
Pwllheli scored their opening try midway through the second half after a period of pressure to set up a nail biting last quarter. Lock Matt Phelan dominated the line-out under difficult conitions but in the closing minutes The Bay spilled the ball in their 22 and the ball was judged to have been carried over by the defence, after a series of re-setting of the scrums Pwllheli won their own ball and brave defence could not stop the home side crashing over to score. With a successful conversion it meant that The Bay needed a converted try to win, from the re-start the forwards gained possession and showing good composure and discipline at the contact area they spread the ball wide where No.8 and captain Lloyd Jones crossed in the corner but was disallowed for not grounding the ball.
The team played well in difficult conditions and the introduction of a new back division did not handicap the performance with wingers Jake Forman and Josh Lloyd putting in good performances and also the debut at youth level for U16 player Jay White who came on as substitute in the last quarter and gave a creditable display. The man of the match was awarded to Dewi Hughes for his industrious work-rate and commitment around the park.
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North Wales Youth Division Two
Bangor vs Llandudno
Flint 8 vs Newtown 12
Welshpool 12 vs Bala 23
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Friendly fixture
Llansawel and District v Rhayader
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