Fixture

Pwllheli RFC | 1st Team 39 - 13 Llandudno RFC | 1st Team
Osian Jones
Conversion 1
Penalty 2
Caron James Jones
Try 2
Deio Llwyd Brunelli
Try 2
Danial Williams
Try 1
Ryan James Pike
1 Conversion
1 Penalty
Lee Davies
1 Try

Match Report
11 April 2016 / Team News

Pwllheli RFC 39 Llandudno RFC 13.

Given the deluge of rain and subsequent snow showers during the morning Pwllheli were delighted that the sun finally made an appearance just before noon. It still took graft from Bill Parry and Glyn Hughes to fork the pitch to get rid of the odd pool of standing water . By kick off the pitch looked good and in fact stood up well throughout the game.

Though Llandudno are having an average season by their standards they will have been encouraged by the late permit of several players from the RGC. The visitors started the game strongly and their style of open rugby was refreshing.Though they had the wind on their backs they limited their kicking game and used their pacey sturdy backs to try to punch holes in the home defence. However it was Pwllheli who struck first. Losing a ball in a heavy tackle a Llandudno player was penalised for then holding on. Winger Osian P.Jones put the Lleyn side three points up with his penalty kick. The visitors response was almost immediate and after six minutes they levelled the score with a penalty by their full back Ryan Pyke. The match became fragmented with both sides being regularly penalised. It was no surprise that the next score came from a penalty and it was Pyke who put his side six to  three up with his second successful kick.

From the kick off Pwllheli secured possession and kept control and made ground on the left. Scorning a kick at goal they went for touch and were awarded a line out fifteen metres out. They won clean ball at the line and drove Llandudno back for flanker Caron Jones to crash over. LLandudno continued to attack but a loose kick ahead saw Pwllheli counter from sixty metres out. Slick inter-passing saw Llandudno's defence shredded before fullback Danial Glyn was put clear to score. The visitors were still  very much in the game and their scrum was under pressure it was Pwllheli who were penalised much to the bemusement of the home contingent. The home side's third try came on thirty four minutes when centre Deio Brunelli cut through to score.

To their credit Llanduno came back strongly and were awarded a penalty on thirty seven minutes.Though the tap  and go was blatantly taken metres aware from the alleged offence Llandudno's Bobby Davies tap and go was allowed and he was awarded a try under the posts much to the consternation of the home supporters. Ryan Pyke's conversion was the last  score of the half and half time came with Pwlheli holding a slender eighteen to thirteen lead.

Pwllheli knew they had to up their efforts and they did. Their set piece dominated the second half and the scrum suddenly  became an important part of their strategy as Llandudno's eight came under severe pressure.A barrage of penalties were awarded against LLanduno and Osian P.Jones extended Pwllheli's lead with penalties after two,ten and twelve minutes. The visitors tried to reorganise the defence but when their winger was yellow carded for a tip tackle after twenty four minutes there was really no way back. Flanker Caron Jones capped a fine display when he scored his second - and bonus point winning - try after twenty seven minutes. Jones added the conversion.

The visitors never gave up but it was an error by them near to Pwllheli's twenty two which led to Pwllheli's fifth and final score. Latching on to the loose ball left wing Robin Hughes Jones beat his opposite number for pace and hacked the ball on. Llanduno tried to cover but a second kick ahead saw centre Deio Brunelli outpace the defender to touch down. The whistle went two minutes later.

Though the score may somewhat  flatter Pwllheli somewhat they were nonetheless deserving winners of this hard fought contest. It was a job well done against an organised well drilled Llandudno side.

Pwllheli host League leaders Nant Conwy at Bodegroes on Saturday. This is a defining match for both clubs. If Nant Conwy win they will virtually be crowned Champions of Division 1 North. Should Pwllheli win then it will give them a target for the rest of the season. Nant are of course clear favourites for the  Championship title as they start the match being twenty two points ahead but Pwllheli's players and coaches will give their all for the Club on Saturday. Their supporters cannot and do not ask for more. Come and support local rugby in what should be a tense encounter.

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