Fixture

Pwllheli RFC | 1st Team 18 - 13 Nant Conwy RFC | 1st Team
Danial Williams
Try 1
Osian Jones
Conversion 1
Penalty 2
Huw Owen Williams
Try 1

Match Report
19 April 2016 / Team News

Pwllheli RFC 18 Nant Conwy RFC 13.

The build up to this key match resulted in over three hundred and fifty supporters turning up at Bodegroes to back their respective teams. The game was played in near perfect weather with only a gusting breeze to  contend with.The playing surface was excellent and was a credit to the hard work done since Thursday's Youth match. The match had huge implications  for both clubs. Nant would win the League with a win at Bodegroes. A Pwllheli victory would put them in a position where it was in their hands to win the League whatever the outcome of Nant's last match of the season.

The commitment of both teams was evident from the outset. Heavy tackles were the norm and the first aiders were kept busy throughout the game. Pwllheli's eight had the edge in the scrums although they were once again frustrated that the opposition were allowed to wheel the set piece when under pressure.The home line outs missed the organising skills of their usual number eight who was out through injury and this was a concern throughout the contest.

It was Pwllheli playing against the wind who scored first. After thirteen minutes a series of drives on the blind finally gave lock Huw Williams to use his sheer power to crash over  from close in.The conversion attempt drifted wide. Nant responded strongly and after some penetrating drives they were awarded a penalty when Pwllheli were adjudged to  be offside. Nant centre Delwyn Jones took the opportunity well to put three points on the board for Nant. Five minutes later Nant took the lead with a drop goal by Arthur Lennon. The fly half  orchestrated the visitor's back line well throughout the game. Pwllheli's flanker Eifion Roberts had to leave the pitch on thirty minutes with a nasty gash to the head. Both sides continued to attempt to open up each other's defence but half time came with Nant leading by six points to five.

Pwllheli's supporters had only a minute to wait in the second half before the move of the game saw full back Danial Glyn cross over for a try.Nant had tried to clear their lines with a long kick down field. Pwllheli countered fully sixty metres out and slick inter-passing saw Nant's line comprehensively breached. Osian .P.Jones added the conversion. Nant's pack dominated possession for the next ten minutes  and Pwllheli were on the back foot . The home side dug deep and took the game to the visitors.They were camped in the Nant twenty two but Nant's organised defence meant  that all they had to show for their efforts was an Osian  P.Jones penalty which extended their lead to fifteen points to six. Being the quality side they are Nant countered and it was their most influential player fly half Arthur Lennon  who brought them back into contention. Receiving the ball thirty metres out Lennon caught Pwllheli's cover napping to score and excellent try. Centre Delwyn Jones' conversion narrowed Pwllheli's lead to only two points.

Ihe last quarter of the game was a tight fiercely contested  dogfight. Nant threw the kitchen sink at Pwllheli but the home defence held firm. Once again Pwllheli's determination kicked in and the last few minutes saw Pwllheli retake territorial domination.They used the breeze effectively to pin Nant back. Despite their efforts Nant could not  break their stranglehold and the final nail in their coffin came from a forty fourth minute penalty from Osian P.Jones to complete the afternoon's scoring. The whistle went shortly after.

Both teams had scoring chances but on the day Pwllheli warranted the win.They lost two influential players for a period in the game to have head wounds treated but never lost their structure or organisation. They are maturing as a side and have a lot more to come.

It does not get easier  for the Lleyn side. They now face five consecutive away matches starting with Bethesda this coming Saturday. Pwllheli know that the League is now in their hands and the pressure on the players and coaches is mounting. Though Pwllheli have a relatively  small senior squad they are all committed to the cause and they look forward to the challenges which they face.

Pwllheli's weekend got even better on Sunday with their two representatives in the Eryri Cup finals - the Under 14s and the Under 16s - both beating Nant Conwy sides. The Under 14s beat Nant by forty six points to ten. The Under 16s also beat their Nant Conwy opposition - this time by twelve points to 8. Congratulations to the players and their hard working coaches.

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