Cup and league action this weekend - listing of games involving Mid/North Wales clubs
If you know any of the missing results below, it would be appreciated if you could please email the details to gwcymru1@aol.com
Also, if you were at any of the games and had your camera, please share some pictures and send them to gwcymru1@aol.com for inclusion on this web-site - many thanks
*****
Swalec Plate Round 1
Ruthin 23 v Llangefni 27
Nant Conwy 23 v Bethesda 13
Mold 8 v Caernarfon 9
Dolgellau 21 v Pwllheli 37
Milford Haven 18 v Aberystwyth 32
Builth Wells v Tonyrefail - w/o to Buith
Bye: Bala, Bro Ffestiniog
***
Swalec Bowl Round 2
COBRA v Rhyl - walkover for COBRA
Colwyn Bay 29 v Wrexham 20
Denbigh 31 v Abergele 18
Flint 24 v Newtown 24
Harlech 33 v Menai Bridge 17
Llangollen v Holyhead - walkover for Llangollen
Porthmadog 0 v Shotton Steel 52
Rhosllanerchrugog 39 v Llanidloes 19
***
WRU Division Three North
Welshpool 30 v Bangor 24 - winning bonus point for Welshpool and two losing bonus points for Bangor
***
Youth Division One North
Rhyl 8 v COBRA 50
Bala 15 v Denbigh 18
Colwyn Bay v Ruthin
Llangefni 29 v Mold 14
Pwllheli v Wrexham
***
Youth Division Two North
Dolgellau v Welshpool - postponed
Flint v Bangor
Caernarfon v Bro Ffestiniog
Holyhead v Newtown
Nant Conwy v Llanidloes
***
Clwyd Districts League
Denbigh 2nds 67 v Colwyn Bay 2nds 0
*****
Flint 24 v Newtown 24[/[b]
Flint’s youth and inexperience worked against them last Saturday in the SWALEC Bowl round 2, as they drew the game 24 all, but with Newtown scoring 4 tries to Flints 3, Newtown went through on the try count rule.
Flint started the game with their back to the wall for the first 10 minutes, and where camped in their own 22 for most of that period, but with some all round sterling defence work the Castle men refused to lower the draw bridge and kept the visitors from Mid-Wales at bay.
This gave the young Flint side confidence, then it was there turn to go on the attack and break own Newtown’s defences. From a ruck just outside Newtown’s 22, scrum-half Toby Norman caught the visitors knapping and picked up, attacked the blind side and ran in to score Flint’s first try, which was converted from out wide by fly-half Damian Goss. From there Flint didn’t let up and were soon on the attack again, this time winger Mark Jones after forcing a charge down, picked up and ran the try in from 30 meters to score under the posts, converted by Goss.
With Flint on the attack and continually pressurising and forcing mistakes from Newtown, man of the match Damian Goss (who controlled the game expertly) picked up the ball from a quick ruck on the 22 metre line and dropped a superb goal to make the score 17-0.
With the whole Flint side in buoyant mood and tasting victory before the half, centre Sam Parry crashed over for their 3rd try, converted again by Goss.
At half-time Flint went into the break 24 points to nil in the lead and thinking the game was won.
But, the 2nd half told a different story and a hard lesson was to be learned; games are not over until the final whistle blows and pressure must be kept on opposing sides for 80 minutes.
Flint allowed Newtown to score 3 unanswered tries, one converted; Newtown gained confidence with each try. Flint did have their chances to kill the game off and were camped on the Newtown line with 5 minutes to go (at this point still in the lead 24 – 17), but a breakaway try by Newtown resulted in their 4th try and the conversion levelled the game, but unfortunately for Flint the try count ruling comes in before converted try count, before extra time is played.
Despite the disappointment of Flint not going through to the next round it was a thrilling game for the spectators with both sides playing exciting rugby and credit also must go to excellent refereeing by Shropshire ref Matt Chapman who played good advantage and allowed the game to flow. Flint RFC wishes Newtown luck in the next round.
Flint are back in league action this week where they entertain Rhos.
*****
[b]Dolgellau 21 - 37 Pwllheli
(h/t 6 - 17)
Pwllheli travelled to the Meirionydd venue expecting backlash to the 7-0 try count thrashing the Dolgellau team received a month earlier at Bodegroes but the visitors to the Marian on Saturday began in a hurry, went to sleep, and woke up to finish the game in style to win by a 5-2 try margin.
Scrum half Nic Butterworth opened the scoring with a try, converted by outside half Pugh, in the second minute. Full back Huw Wilcox was successful with a penalty attempt for Dolgellau on seven minutes but the visitors went further ahead with a second try two minutes later, scored and converted by John Pugh. The game then drifted into a stale mate for the remainder of the half with the home side forwards dominating in the set pieces whilst the visitors' defence held firm. Wilcox and Pugh exchanged one penalty each during this period to give a 17-6 half time score.
Two of the young Pwllheli front five were replaced by more experienced players at the start of the second half but a yellow card on five minutes reduced their numbers for the next ten minutes. During this time, one penalty attempt was disallowed and one was successful for the home team and before the visitors returned to full strength in numbers centre Deio Brunelli crossed for Pwllheli and flanker Ben Owen squeezed his way over the try line for Dolgellau. Neither try was converted.
During the last quarter, Pugh was again successful with a penalty before winger James Owen crossed for the home team and reducing the scoreboard advantage to 21-25 in favour of Pwllheli with fifteen minutes to go. As the Dolgellau players tired, Pwllheli upped thier game to score two further tries - a second for Butterworth and one for winger Robin Hughes Jones. Pugh was successful with one conversion.
Pwllheli will therefore join Nant Conwy, Caernarfon, Llangefni, Bala and Bro in the next round which will be drawn this week and is scheduled to be played on 15th December.
*****
Mold 8 v Caernarfon 9
Caernarfon managed to gain a passage through to the next round of the Swalec Cup after just doing enough to edge this encounter.
The opening exchanges were error strewn and the officials whistle often left players and spectators perplexed. Caernarfon attempted to spread the ball wide constantly whilst Mold gained more success by keeping the ball amongst the forwards. One Lance Owen-Williams break down the flank was halted on the twenty-two but with the Mold defence offside he composed himself to slot over the kick to open the scoring. Not to be outdone a similar infringement some ten minutes later afforded wing Luke Jones the opportunity to even the scores.
Captain replacement Rhys Thomas was having a fine game at Number 8 and prop Rhobat John had a fine all-round game, being especially effective with ball in hand. A Thomas charge down nearly brought reward but the pack were penalised at the ensuing ruck to allow Mold some rest bite. On the approach of halftime a Caernarfon attempt to run the ball out of defence fumbled and an innovative backward flick through the legs by Paul Cochran, to prevent the ball crossing the touchline, found wing Luke Jones on the inside who duly sprinted clear to score out wide.
Caernarfon had the advantage of the slope during the second period and were pressurising the Mold defence but a succession of knock ons and loosing the ball in contact was once again proving costly. However one foray was halted illegally and Owen-Williams stepped up to score his second of the afternoon. The introduction of Mathew Thomas at stand off soon after paid dividends, for his trusted boot relieved pressure and gained valuable metres.
John Llywelyn on returning to the fray after a yellow card, conjured up a good steal to thwart one promising Mold attack, with the distant clearance kick taking the Cofis back deep into Mold territory. Through attempting to run out of defence, hooker Aron Jones was penalised for holding on and up stepped Lance Owen-Williams once again to slot over the penalty to edge the Cofis ahead.
Mold tried desperately to salvage the game with stand off Simon Howells a constant threat with ball in hand and good clearance kicks. However the Cofi rearguard remained intact and held out to gain the spoils.
Both teams will face each other in the league next week and the outcome could well be decided by what the respective coaching staff has been able to gain from this encounter.
*****
Colwyn Bay 29 v Wrexham 20
Colwyn Bay produced a spirited second half come back display to recover from a fifteen point to nil half time deficit against a well drilled young Wrexham side. The visitors built up their half time lead with tries from second row Rob Moore and centre Dafydd Griffiths together with a conversion from outside half Jamie Morris and penalty by centre Jamie Price.
The Bay reduced the arrears within two minutes of the restart with a try from replacement centre Jordan Sheridan which was converted by full back Henry Morris before centre Ethan Morris reduced the arrears to three points with as he rounded off a flowing threequarter move for the home side. A penalty from full back Morris tied the score at 15 all but Wrexham regained the lead with a touch down from No 8 John Gill.
Hooker Dan Lycett and a second for replacement Sheridan on the stroke of time together with a brace of conversions by full back Morris ensured the Bay's place in draw for the third round of the Swalec later this week.
*****
Harlech 33 v Menai Bridge 17
Menai who lost by one point at Harlech three weeks ago in a league fixture, once again found them to be their bogey team! This time, however, they made a few changes which, unfortunately did not provide the goods.
The visitors opened strongly during the opening quarter but failed to turn possession and territory into points. Menai then were reduced to 14 men due to a yellow card. During this period Harlech scored twice, firstly through the pace of winger, Martin Perch, then flanker, Alex Evans making it 10-0. Harlech out-half, Arfon Pugh added a penalty just on half-time for a lead of 13-0.
Home advantage was soon increased to 18-0, when prop forward Ieuan Williams broke from a maul to touch down.
Into the last quarter Menai made several substitutions in the forwards and once again they gained ascendancy and improved possession. Their hard working No 8, James Roberts, gained a try which Dion McGrath converted making the score 18-7.
A Harlech penalty made it 21-7 before Menai's scrum-half, Mark Jones squeezed in for a corner flag try narrowing the gap to 21-12. However, against the run of play Harlech Centre, Andrew Stone, intercepted a Menai pass to run in for a try to extend the score to 28-12.
Five minutes from time Menai Full-back, Dewi Thomas gained a consolation try well out making the score 28-17.
Just on time, Harlecj lock-forward, Llion Perry, picked up a loose ball and crash over for a final, well earned 33-17 victory and progress to Round 3.
*****
Ruthin 23 v Llangefni 27
After winning at home to Llangefni with 14 men 2 weeks ago Ruthin probably thought that a win in this home Swalec Plate fixture was a formality but this was not to be so.
Llangefni were unable to provide a front row and had no replacements so the game was played with uncontested scrums effectively neutralising the good scrummaging seen this season by the Blues.
First points went to Cefni with a penalty goal kicked by Carwyn Milburn, but the Blues quickly responded with a try by scrum half Steffan Parry and then followed that up with a further try by centre Harri Morgan converted by fly half Wil Davies.
Davies then slotted over a penalty goal and at 15-3 up after 20 minutes it looked plain sailing for the Blues.
However the visitors were having none of it and under pressure the home side concede a penalty from which Milburn kicked a goal and then Cefni drove Ruthin’s pack over for a try leading to a score of 15-11 at half time.
After the break the Blues continued to concede kickable penalties and within 5 minutes the score was 15-14 to the home side after another Milburn penalty goal.
Ruthin were finding it hard to mount a coherent attack and Cefni went ahead with a fine try with a run from the half way line through a ragged Ruthn defence.
Now behind, the Blues began to play with a bit more urgency and after some good phase play wing Hugh Sharples went over for a try putting the score at 21-20 to the visitors.
Both sides then conceded penalty goals and just before fulltime Milburn sealed his sides win and a personal points tally of 17 points with a drop goal and a final score of 27-23 to Llangefni.
*****
Plât SWALEC Plate (Rownd 1 Round)
NANT CONWY 23 v BETHESDA 13
(Hanner amser / Half time: 18 - 6)
Sgorwyr / Scorers:
NANT CONWY: Ceisiau / Tries: GRANT JONES, ROBIN EIDDA & ROBIN GLYN
Trosi / Conversions: AERON JONES (1)
Ciciau Cosb / Penalties: AERON JONES (2)
BETHESDA: Cais / Try: IESTYN ROBERTS
Trosi / Conversions: CARWYN WILLIAMS
Ciciau Cosb / Penalties: GARETH FŌN EDWARDS (2)
Yr hen ystrydeb yw ‘gêm o ddau hanner’ a dyna’n union a gafwyd heddiw. Dechreuodd Bethesda’n dda am y 5 munud cyntaf cyn i Nant Conwy reoli gweddill yr hanner. Cyfnewidiodd Gareth Fôn (Bethesda) ag Aeron (Nant) giciau cosb llwyddiannus yr un ar ôl 13 ag 17 munud. Bu Aeron yn llwyddiannus gyda chic arall o bellter ar ôl 22 munud cyn i’r asgellwr Grant, rhyng-gipio pas wyllt gan Bethesda a rhedeg hanner y cae i sgorio cais ger y pyst gyda 26 munud ar y cloc. Methwyd y trosiad. Parhaodd Nant i bwyso’n drwm heb lwyddo i droi cyfleon yn bwyntiau cyn i’r rhif 7, Robin Eidda fynd trosodd wedi 38 munud ag Aeron yn trosi. Reit ar y chwiban hanner (46 munud), llwyddoddd Gareth Fôn gyda’i ail gic gosb i roi sgôr o 18 – 6 ar yr hanner.
Pur gyfartal oedd trydydd chwarter y gêm ond aeth Nant ymhellach ar y blaen ar ôl 13 munud pan aeth y prop, Robin Glyn trosodd wrth ddilyn hyrddiad ymalen gan y pac. Eto, aflwyddiannus oedd yr ymgais am drosiad. Ymddengys i Nant orffwys ar eu rhwyfau braidd o hynny ymlaen gan y bu i’r ymwelwyr ddod fwy fwy i’r gêm gan sgorio cais haeddiannol gan y rhif 10, Iestyn a droswyd gan Carwyn ar ôl 23 munud o chwarae. Dyna ddiwedd y sgorio swyddogol ond daeth yr ymwelwyr yn agos i sgorio’u hail gais wrth i’r dyfarnwr benderfynu fod yr ymdrech yn brin o’r linnell. Sgôr o 23- 13 felly mewn gêm a adlewyrchodd y ffaith i’r DDAU dîm wneud mor dda yn y gystadleuaeth hon llynnedd. Piti fod yn rhaid i un ochr golli!
Sadwrn nesaf, bydd y tîm Cyntaf yn chwaraeI FFWRDD yn erbyn DOLGELLAU yn Adran 1 y Gogledd tra bydd yr Ail Dîm yn chwarae’r un gwrthwynebwyr GARTREF.
It is a cliché to talk about a ‘game of two halves’. But, indeed this could be classified as one. The visitors played well for the first 5 minutes before Nant Conwy controlled the rest of the half. Gareth Fôn (Bethesda) and Aeron (Nant) interchanged successful penalty kicks after 13 and 17 minutes. Aeron was successful with another penalty after 22 minutes before winger, Grant intercepted a wild pass from Bethesda with 26 minutes play gone and ran nearly half the field to score a try where the conversion attempt failed.
Nant continued to pressurise the visitors scrum without really converting chances into points. But, flanker Robin Eidda came up with the goods after 38 minutes scampering over for a try after another bout of pressure from the home pack. Aeron duly converted. With 6 minutes of ‘extra’ time being played at the end of the 1st half, Gareth Fôn reduced the lead with his second successful penalty of the match to give a score of 18 – 6 at half time.
The third quarter of the match was quite even in play but Nant went further ahead after 13 minutes when tight head prop, Robin Glyn took a ‘pop up’ from no. 8 Carwyn Ellis to score a try that went unconverted. Nant appeared to ‘rest on their laurels’ after this score and it was the visitors who were in ascendency for the rest of the match. They duly scored a deserved try from Iestyn Roberts (no.10) after 23 minutes- a try that was converted by (13) Carwyn Williams.
This turned out to be the last score of the match but the visiting supporters were annoyed two minutes from the end when the Referee decided that a lunge for the try line by a Bethesda player was just short. A final score of 23 – 13 then in what was a really good match between two neighbouring sides that did so well in last season’s competition. It was a shame that one of the two sides had to lose such a match.
Next Saturday, the first team will be playing AWAY against DOLGELLAU in a Division 1 North match whilst the Second team will also be playing the same opponents AT HOME.
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