Some more senior reports including Bala v Dolgellau, COBRA v Rhyl
Bala 21 v Dolgellau 15
Not for the first time this season, this was a tale of what might have been for Dolgellau.
The first quarter was an even affair with both sides probing for weaknesses in the opposing defences, but without making much progress. Consequently, play was largely confined to the midfield area.
The hosts were the first to put points on the board when Dolgellau flanker Trystan Jones was penalised for not releasing the ball after being tackled. Bala’s outside-half Huw John’s made no mistake with the penalty kick from 28 metres, giving his team a 3-0 lead.
The scores were soon level again however as Dolgellau outside-half, Tom Roberts, succeeded with an excellent long-distance penalty kick from near the half-way line. As the minutes ticked by, Bala upped the pressure on the Dolgellau defence, which resulted in the visitors being penalised on several occasions, either for preventing the release of the ball at rucks or for being offside. During this spell of pressure Huw John doubled his tally of points with a second successful kick, making the score 6-3.
It was during this second quarter that Bala won the game, in fact. After 30 minutes play Dolgellau flanker, Dewi Thomas was sin-binned, apparently for preventing the release of the ball at a ruck. Being one man down was sure to test the Dolgellau defence but worse was to follow. A Bala attack down the left flank saw the ball reach their left-wing who sprinted towards the corner, only for his opposing number, Ian Jones-Morris to bundle him into touch near the corner flag. Much to the Dolgellau team’s annoyance the referee adjudged that Jones-Morris had illegally shoulder-charged the Bala player and awarded the hosts a penalty-try between the posts.
As if that wasn’t bad enough for the visitors, Jones-Morris was yellow-carded for the offence, leaving them with thirteen men. Huw John’s easy conversion gave Bala a useful 13-3 advantage. Within minutes they had further extended this lead when no. 8, Guto Lynch took a crash-ball pass in midfield and galloped through the weakened Dolgellau defence to score between the posts. John, surprisingly, missed the conversion, leaving the score at 18-3 as the interval was reached.
During the first half Dolgellau had played reasonably well at times but their passing was often inaccurate and they tended to over-elaborate. Had the backs been released more often in conventional fashion they could well have reaped greater rewards.
A heavy shower at the beginning of the second-half made the ball very greasy and further contributed to the scrappy nature of the game. However, a stern lecture at half-time seemed to have had the desired effect on Dolgellau and they began the second half in a more positive mode. A good attacking move down the right saw the visitors approach the Bala try-line. The ball was quickly recycled to second-row Carwyn Hughes who plunged over for his team’s opening try. Tom Roberts’ conversion made the score 18-8.
This score heartened Dolgellau and they pressed hard for a further score. However, they were then penalised for diving in at a ruck, allowing Huw John to extend Bala’s advantage with another successful penalty kick. Dolgellau persevered and their efforts were rewarded with a second try. Left-wing,Gethin Edwards, ran strongly down the flank until tackled; the ball was then moved quickly to the right allowing full-back Huw Wilcox to hit the line at a good angle and sprint through the Bala defence to score a good try between the posts. Tom Roberts’ conversion made the score 21-15.
Urged on by their supporters Dolgellau pressed hard for a converted try but the Bala defence held firm until the final whistle.
Bala had offered very little in attack during the game and were only able to make inroads when the visitors had reduced numbers. However, their defence was well-organised and they tackled well, making it difficult for Dolgellau to play creatively. That said, Dolgellau were their own worst enemy – had their standard of passing and discipline been better they could well have won this game. The one point losing bonus point – their first of the season - was some consolation, however.
*****
Round up from Rhyl kindly supplied by Keith Jones
COBRA 88 v Rhyl 0
Rhyl first team travelled to COBRA in mid Wales with a weakened team and found the home side in sparkling form as they racked up a 84-0 win. To their credit, Rhyl kept their commitment and effort until the final whistle but were undone by some well-drilled attacking moves and some loose defence at the breakdown. This Saturday Rhyl have chance to
make amends with a game at home to Llandudno but they have drawn away in the cup in two weeks time at COBRA.
Rhosllanerchrugog 2nds 15 v Rhyl 2nds 14
The second team were unlucky to lose by a single point as they fell 15-14 at Rhos-Wrexham. In a lacklustre first half, Rhos took the lead with a driving scrum and pick up and drive over the line for a 5-0 lead. Rhyl fought back with full back Keith Gains coming into the back line at speed to break through for a try which Wes Hancock converted to take the lead 7-5. In ther second half the Rhos pack resorted to pickup and drive from the ruck, a ploy which was frustrating to Rhyl's ambitions of playing running rugby.
The difference in tactics was emphasised when replacement scrum half Keith Jones got the ball wide and away quickly to Glyn Jones, who had moved into the standoff berth. He committed the defence well and setup Geezer Davies in midfield for a pulsating run through five despairing tackles to score under the posts. Hancock again added the extras and Rhyl were 14-5 to the good.
However frustration on the part of Rhyl gave away several crucial penalty kicks and Rhos took full advantage by running one to score under the posts and then on 72 minutes kicked a further penalty for a one point lead which they held onto by calling for several time outs in the closing minutes of the game. This week the Seconds are away at Colwyn Bay.
Wrexham Youth 11 v Rhyl Youth 7
The Youth team lost a very tight match at Wrexham, 11-7 in a game they should have won. Rhyl started brightly but the continuous pressure from a massive home pack took its toll on Rhyl's youngsters.
Unfortunately the main talking point of the game was the tactics of some of the Wrexham team, with their number eight getting sent off for a blatant headbutt. This incident was in addition to several cases of Rhyl players being bitten by the opposition. Rhyl were denied enough possession for their backs to work with, but when they got the ball they used it to good effect with Matthew Purnell scoring under the posts. The conversion by Rhyl man of the match Seb Collinge brought his side to within 4 points of Wrexham but with not enough time to gain a winning score. The youth team have a free Saturday this week.
*****
Please note that the following report is from the weekend of 6th October, my apologies for not including it at the time...
Benllech 25 v Flint 19
Flint came away from their trip to Benllech on Saturday with a losing bonus point and missed out taking the winning points due to “ill discipline” mainly at the ruck, although young and up and coming prop Jake Shill found himself the on the wrong side of the law book when he was continually penalised at the scrum for what was perceived as pushing across his opposite number, unfortunately Shill’s strength at the set piece this time worked against him.
Benllech opened their account first with a penalty in front of the posts and soon after they found themselves near Flint’s line where Benllech were awarded a penalty via the unfortunate Shill and the Benllech No 8 caught Flint napping and crashed over for their first try, Flint did manage a penalty of their own before the half but not without Benllech doing the same, making the score line 13 - 3 at the break.
The second half saw Flint playing deep into the Benllech half as a result of some intelligent kicking by Flint’s man of the match, outside half Damian Goss, and this time it was Flint’s turn to catch the hosts napping, as prop Tom Hewitt crashed over for his debut try, but with Flint still leaking penalties Benllech were still able to keep their noses in front.
Despite Flint scoring two more excellent tries, moving the ball out wide through the backs, first by winger Geraint Jones, who took the final pass from fullback Ryan Beck after a scintillating run, and the other score was another debut try for Mark Jones on the other wing after a thirty yard dash for the line, but in the last minutes of the game Flint gave away two more penalties to make the final score line 25-19.
*****
Pwllheli 11 - 12 Bro Ffestiniog
(h/t 3 - 12)
This match was an exciting encounter with plenty of quality and comittmment on an excellent pitch despite recent weather. Pwllheli were distraught having lost so narrowly but credit must go to the opposition for their bully tactics and game plan which gave them the points to remain second in the league, having lost one game only to date this season.
It was the home side who went ahead after fifteen minutes when outside half John Pugh was successful with a penalty for offside in mid-field, but it was Bro who broke the home defence with a try for centre Owen Roberts ten minutes later. Bro went further ahead in injury time when, after battering the home defence in their own twenty two for almost ten minutes, outside half Barry Roberts twisted his way through the defenders and over the try line near the posts. He converted his own try for a 3 -12 half time score.
In the second half, Pugh converted another penalty after only eight minutes and it looked promising for Pwllheli as most of the half was played in opposition territory. But the defence was stout and it was not until injury time that winger Arwel Thomas found a way through to score. Pugh failed with a dificuilt conversion which would have won the match for the home side.
The second teams also played at Bodegroes, Pwllheli 2nds winning by 54 - 12 having outscored Bro 2nds eight tries to two. Two good games, enjoyed by a large crowd.
Mold 12- Bethesda 38
At last, for the first time this season, Bethesda's players gained their just rewards on the field. In a powerful and determined performance they swept Mold aside by 6 tries to 2.
Bethesda's supporters were rather anxious before the match having learned that a handful of players had gone on the annual trip to Blackpool.
They needn't have worried - they were treated to a series of attacks down the slope which threatened the home try line and captain Paul Thomas came close to scoring in the corner. After 15 minutes, Mathew Parry intercepted from a Mold attack and he ran from half way to score between the posts.
Four minutes later, it was Gareth Ogwen Williams who finished off a thrilling move in which both forwards and backs interpassed. Parry kicked the conversion - adding to his earlier effort.
Mold hit back after 34 minutes when outside half Condran split the Bethesda defence before passing to Ellis to score between the posts to give Condran an easy conversion.
Bethesda had the last word of the half when Parry scored a fine individual try making the score at the interval 19 points to 12 for the visitors.
The home side pegged Bethesda back in the bottom corner for a good spell in the second half and centre Edwards crossed for an unconverted try.
Parry was forced off with an injury after 10 minutes play causing some drastic rearranging of the Bethesda backline. Dylan Hughes, Bethesda's replacement centre showed his ball playing worth when he crossed for a try 3 minutes after coming on. Hughes was instrumental in creating a first try of the season for Llion Lloyd some 4 minutes later. Darren Brace kicked both conversions making the score 33 points to 12.
With all hopes of a home victory dashed, Mold came back strongly and came close to scoring a try at the end of the match. However, Bethesda broke away and crossed in the top left corner. To everyone's surprise, the referee awarded a 5 metre scrum to Bethesda. Replacement scrum half, Graham Davies crossed for his trademark 2 metre try to settle Mold's fate.
Bethesda are away at Ruthin next Saturday where they will face a much stiffer test.
*****
Flint 96 v Holyhead 0
Flint recorded their biggest win of their SWALEC Division 3 North existence with a 15 try rout against a 14 man Holyhead, unfortunately Holyhead could only travel with 14 men and Flint made them pay by having the extra man on the field, but with equal numbers in the forwards Holyhead were still no match against the youthful Flint pack.
Flint dominated the set piece and the loose play providing plenty of ball for their backs who took advantage of the extra man attacking deep into Holyhead territory where the forwards took up the play and either forced themselves over the line or provided ball again for their backs to score.
Eight tries were scored in the first half evenly shared between the forwards and backs, even though Captain Mitch Martin produced a one man show, scoring four tries to represent the forwards and also providing the bonus point, the backs try scorers were represented by wingers Geraint Jones and Mark Jones; fly-half Damian Goss and fullback Ryan Beck, six of which were converted by Goss, making the score at the half time 52-0.
The second half started with Goss side stepping through the Holyhead defence and scoring under the post and converting his own try. Next to score was Flint’s French import Brice Vonnet capping an excellent back row display earning him a well deserved Man of the Match, Vonnet’s try was also converted by Goss.
The scoring was rounded off when the excitable Cae-Y-Castell crowd were witness to the Sam and Jamie show. Centre Sam Parry and open-side Jamie Elder scoring two tries apiece. With Goss converting two of the last four tries, before referee Emrys Owen, who kept good control throughout, brought proceedings to a close and put Holyhead out of their misery, who to their credit battled with pride to honour the fixture.
Flint’s next home game will be the SWALEC Bowl Round Two game welcoming Newtown to Cae-Y-Castell on October 27th
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