All the results and reports as they come in for games played by the North and Mid Wales Clubs.
If you know of any errors or omissions from the listing below, it would be appreciated if you could please email gwcymru1@aol.com with the details.
Match reports and pictures from any of this weekend's games would be greatly appreciated.
*****
WRU Division One East
RGC v Tredgar - MATCH POSTPONED
Please click on the RGC logo on the front page to read the Division One East round-up for games played yesterday
*****
WRU Division One North
Bala 15 vs Ruthin 10 - losing bonus point for Ruthin
Bro Ffestiniog 23 vs Caernarfon 27 - losing bonus point for Bro
Dolgellau 14 vs Mold 24 - winning bonus point for Mold
Llangefni 26 vs Bethesda 25 - two losing bonus points for Bethesda
Nant Conwy 20 vs Pwllheli 18 - losing bonus point for Pwllheli
*****
WRU Division Two North
COBRA 38 vs Shotton Steel 8 - winning bonus point for COBRA
Denbigh 15 vs Llandudno 13 - losing bonus point for Llandudno
Llangollen 18 vs Abergele 47 - winning bonus point for Abergele
Llanidloes 33 vs Colwyn Bay 7 - winning bonus poitn for Llanidloes
Machynlleth 39 vs Rhyl 0 - winning bonus point for Machynlleth
*****
WRU Division Three North
Flint 18 vs Welshpool 15 - losing bonus point for Welshpool
Menai Bridge 14 vs Rhosllanerchrugog 14
Newtown 69 vs Harlech 5 - winning bonus point for Newtown
Porthmadog 47 vs Holyhead 12 - winning bonus point for Porthmadog
Wrexham 25 vs Benllech 8 - winning bonus point for Wrexham
*****
North Wales Youth Division One
COBRA 57 vs Colwyn Bay 7
Denbigh vs Pwllheli
Mold vs Ruthin
Rhyl 0 vs Llangefni 53
Wrexham vs Bala
*****
North Wales Youth Division Two
Bangor vs Llanidloes
Bro Ffestiniog vs Llandudno - postponed (Llandudno playing touring side)
Caernarfon vs Nant Conwy - postponed
Flint vs Holyhead
Welshpool vs Newtown - postponed (Newtown unable to raise team)
2nd team games:
Bro Ffestiniog 2nds 0 v Caernarfon 2nds 73 (also being played as a Cup game)
Rhyl 2nds 15 v Llandudno 2nds 40
Denbigh 2nds 84 v Flint 2nds 5 - played Friday night
Pwllheli 2nds 7 v Nant Conwy 2nds 20
*****
WRU Division Two West
Taibach 6 v Builth Wells 7
WRU Division 6 Central
Wick v Llandrindod Wells
WRU Division 7
Old Tylerians 15 v Rhayader 53
Friendly Fixture
Welshpool 2nds 8 v COBRA 2nds 30
*****
Sunday, 23rd September
Caernarfon Ladies v Pencoed Ladies - 2.30pm at Llangefni RFC
******
Dolgellau 14 v Mold 24
This match will be one that the Dolgellau team, coaches and supporters will want to forget in a hurry, the general consensus being that it was the team’s worst performance in a good many seasons.
Mold’s lowly position in the League following three consecutive defeats may well have lulled the hosts into thinking that all they had to do to secure victory was turn up. However, the visitors incisive play belied their league position and gave Dolgellau a sharp reminder that they will have to work much harder if they are make an impact in Division 1 North.
With the Marian pitch looking at it's very best, the first ten minutes were a pretty even affair as both teams probed for openings. However, as the minutes ticked by Mold spent more and more time in the opposition half as their hard-running backs made inroads into the Dolgellau defence. The hosts appeared to be very lethargic and their passing, tackling and awareness of the offside law were generally poor. One aspect of Dolgellau’s play that has not been up to par this season has been their kicking from hand. Consistent use of the box kick by their scrum-half has not paid dividends and all too often this tactic has provided the opposition with opportunities to counter-attack.
The Dolgellau kicking from hand in this match generally lacked direction and length and Mold’s backs were given many opportunities to run at the Dolgellau defence and their pacy wings were able to exploit the overlaps created. Dolgellau’s strength in recent seasons has been the strong running of their forwards, allied with quickly-recycled ball for their backs to exploit.
This was totally missing in the first half of this match, the hosts ` play lacking any urgency or passion. The visitors took the lead after 18 minutes of play when a counter-attack at speed by the backs enabled inside-centre, Cai Edwards to cross for a well-deserved try to the left of the posts. The conversion attempt was unsuccessful, leaving the score at 0-5.
Mold’s passing was of a high order and their forwards and backs looked impressive as they consistently found gaps in the Dolgellau defence. With the interval approaching, the Dolgellau full-back, Tom Roberts, was sin-binned for preventing the release of the ball from a ruck. During his absence Mold doubled their lead as outside-centre Simon Howells crossed for his team’s second try. Again the conversion went astray, resulting in a half-time score of 0-10.
If the home fans were hopeful of an improved second-half performance their aspirations were soon dashed. Poor tackling by the hosts resulted in the Mold backs racing up-field, with no. 11 Luke Jones having the honour of crossing for a commendable try between the posts. The conversion, again by Jones, made the score 0-17, leaving the hosts with a mountain to climb.
This mountain became even steeper as a Dolgellau attack in the Mold half broke down, allowing the visitors to counter-attack, with Tom Webb crossing for his team’s fourth try. The conversion by Luke Jones from in front of the posts was a formality, giving Mold a 24-point advantage. This finally stirred Dolgellau from their slumbers, and, spurred on by the inspirational efforts of no. 8, Dylan Llewelyn, they managed to raise their game.
Following a quickly-taken penalty, a strong run and well-timed pass by centre, Carwyn Pugh allowed right-wing Ian Jones-Morris to cross for a try between the posts. Tom Roberts conversion made the score 7-24. Following the restart Dolgellau again advanced towards the Mold try-line. Another tap-penalty and drive saw second-row Berwyn Hughes crash over for Dolgellau’s second try, which was again converted by Tom Roberts.
However, it was all too little, too late and the final score of 14-24 meant that Mold had secured a fully-deserved, morale-boosting victory.
Dolgellau’s next fixture is away to Pwllheli on September 29th – they will doubtless be keen to secure a victory that will indicate that this performance was a blip and no more.
*****
BALA 15 v RUTHIN 10
Following report kindly supplied by Ruthin RFC
Bala got the better of Ruthin in their first encounter of the new season in the lush grass of Maes Gwyniad on Saturday.
The Blues started well and spent the first 20 minutes in the Bala half but were unable to capitalise on their territory.
Ruthin were scrummaging well but were unable to put more than a few phases of play together before it broke down under the home sides dogged defence.
Both sides were conceding penalties and after Ruthin went down to 14 men when a flanker was sin-binned Bala took advantage and in virtually their first attack of the match streamed down the wing for a try.
The game became a little scrappy and a half which saw around 24 scrums finished with no further score.
After the break Bala came out strongly and after missing a penalty goal picked up the ball from the restart and went over a second try.
The Blues responded and after a good run by wing Hugh Sharples, which put the homes sides defence under pressure, a Bala flanker was yellow-carded.
Ruthin’s pack began driving at the Bala try line and after one try attempt was judged to be held up replacement Joe Mault went over for a pushover try converted by scrum half Deian Lloyd.
The Blues kept up the pressure and the Lloyd evened the scores at 10-10 with a few minutes to go with a penalty goal.
In the last minute Ruthin were pinned down in their own 22 and tried to play their way out but lost the ball and the home side scored.
The try was unconverted and the whistle blew at 15-10 to Bala.
The Blues had to be content with a losers bonus point which is just enough to keep them ahead of Nant Conwy who they play at Caeddol next Saturday.
*****
Menai Bridge 14 v Rhosllanerchrugog 14
This was a great advert for Division three rugby. A tense, close, game saw Menai lead at the interval through a try from No.8, Gareth Parry and a penalty from out-half, Iwan Jones, with the visitors replying through two penalties from their Out-half, Gareth Ireland. Half time Menai held a slender lead of 8-6.
Straight fom the restart Menai increased their lead to 11-6, with another Iwan Jones penalty. Minutes later Rhos succeeded in breaking through the home cover defence and some missed tackles, for powerful centre, Simon Hughes, to squeeze in for a try out right, levelling the scores at 11-11.
On 25 minutes a long kick ahead led to a Rhos penalty which Ireland kicked to gain the lead by 14-11. Immediately afterwards a Menai penalty attempt narrowly failed. With ten minutes left Menai's Iwan Jones slotted home a penalty to secure a well-earned draw against a physically larger, well organised, attacking outfit.
Menai, with enforced changes, and several players playing in unaccustomed positions are to be praised for an excellent defensive display throughout.
*****
NANT CONWY 20 v PWLLHELI 18
Hanner amser / Half time: 3 - 6)
Sgorwyr / Scorers:
NANT CONWY: Ceisiau / Tries: CARWYN ROBERTS, OWAIN JONES
Trosi / Conversions: CARWYN ap MYRDDIN (2)
Ciciau Cosb / Penalties: CARWYN ap MYRDDIN (2)
PWLLHELI: Ceisiau / Tries: DEIO BRUNELLI, ROBIN HUGHES-JONES
Trosi / Conversion: NICK BUTTERWORTH
Ciciau Cosb / Penalties: JOHN PUGH (2)
Dyma’r gêm gyntaf i Nant chwarae gartref yn y tymor newydd. Ar brynhawn hyfryd o haul, cafwyd gêm o safon rhwng dau dîm ifanc. Hanner o giciau cosb oedd yr hanner cyntaf gyda cefnwr Pwllheli (John Pugh) yn llwyddiannuss ddwyaith (17 a 23 munud) gyda cefnwr Nant (Carwyn ap) yn taro’n ôl ar ôl 32 munud i roi sgôr o 3 – 6 ar yr hanner.
Yn syth o’r ail ddechrau bu Ifan (rhif 9) yn anffodus wrth golli gafael ar y bêl fel yr oedd yn deifio am gais tros y llinell! Daeth cais gyntaf y gêm i Bwllheli pan fu i’r canolwr, Deio Brunelli sgorio ar y dde (12 munud o chwarae). Methwyd y trosiad.
Aeth yr ymwelwyr ymhellach ar y blaen ar ôl 18 munud gyda chais ar y chwith gan yr asgellwr (Robin Hughes-Jones). Bu i’r rhif 10 (Nick Butterworth) drosi ‘n llwyddiannus i roi sgôr o 3 -18 i Bwllheli gyda chwta 20 munud yn weddill. Ar yr adeg hon hwyrach y daeth trobwynt y gêm wrth i brop Pwllheli dderbyn cerdyn coch am dacl dipio honedig – hyn ar ôl iddo dderbyn cerdyn melyn yn yr hanner cyntaf. Ymosododd Nant yn gryf am yr amser oedd yn weddill a bu i rif 5 Carwyn ymestyn ei gorff hir i dirio’r bêl ar ôl 23 munud gyda Carwyn ap yn trosi’r cais.
Aeth Nant i lawr i 14 dyn am y 10 munud olaf ond llwyddwyd i sgorio’r cais tyngedfennol o dan y pyst pan dorrodd Owain (rhif 10) drwy’r amddiffyn gyda 3 munud yn weddill. Enillwyd y gêm i Nant drwy drosiad llwyddiannus Carwyn ap i roi sgôr derfynol o 20 – 18. YN wir cafwyd gêm i’w chofio heddiw.
Sadwrn nesaf, bydd y tîm Cyntaf yn chwarae I FFWRDD yn erbyn RHUTHUN gyda’r ail dîm yn chwarae GARTREF yn erbyn RHUTHUN hefyd. Bydd yr Ieuenctid yn chwarae GARTREF,yn ogystal, yn erbyn BRO FFESTINIOG y tro hwn.
This match was the first one played at home in Nant this season. On a sunny afternoon, all members of the large crowd present witnessed an excellent match between two young sides.
The first half turned out to be a half of successful penalty kicks – two for Pwllheli – by Full Back John Pugh after 17 and 23 minutes with Nant’s replacement full back Carwyn ap replying in the same manner after 32 minutes to give a half time score of 3 – 6.
Immediately from the re-start, Nant attacked and scrum half Ifan was unfortunate to lose control of the ball as he was diving over to touch down. The first try of the match arrived after 12 minutes play when the Pwllheli centre, Deio Brunelli powered over for a try. The conversion attempt failed but a conversion attempt by no. 10 for the visitors (Nick Butterworth) was successful after left winger Robin Hughes-Jones scored a try on the left after 18 minutes to give the visitors a lead of 3 – 18 at that time.
Perhaps the turning point of the match arrived from the restart when a Pwllheli Prop was red carded for an alleged ‘tip tackle’ – this after the same player had been yellow carded during the first half!
Nant attacked continously for the rest of the game and lock, Carwyn R. stretched his long arms to score a try that Carwyn ap converted after 23 minutes. Nant were reduced to 14 men for the final 10 minutes but they still attacked and only 3 minutes remained when fly half, Owain broke the defensive line to score underneath the posts – a try that Carwyn ap duly converted to make a final score of 20 – 18 in what was deemed by all present, including the Referee, to have been a ‘cracking’ game of rugby.
Next Saturday, the first team will be playing AWAY against RUTHIN with the 2nd Team playing AT HOME against the same opposition. The Youth team will also be HOME – against BRO FFESTINIOG this time.
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