Fixture

Bethesda RFC | 1st Team 3 - 20 Pwllheli RFC | 1st Team

Match Report
09 January 2017 / Team News

Bethesda RFC 3 Pwllheli RFC 20

 The Lleyn side travelled to Bethesda with a much changed side with only three of he backs who played against Nant Conwy the previous week being available either through illness or injury. Conditions were unusually fine at Dol Dafydd with the pitch not having been played on for some four weeks. The mild weather attracted a good crowd with Pwllheli once again having more supporters than the home side.

From the outset it was apparent that both teams would ask for no quarter and tackles came in fast and furious.The young Pwllheli side adjusted well and although there were handling errors the Pwllheli fifteen played as a team. They backed each other up and supported each other effectively. They were awarded an early penalty but the kick drifted wide. Bethesda chose to move the ball and they almost stretched the Pwllheli cover on several occasions. Pwllheli became very adept at denying the home side possession as they totally dominated the lines out. Their foraging back row secured a lot of fifty fifty ball but given he enforced changes it was not surprising that Pwllheli's backs were not as fluent as they have been. The first try came from an usual source for Pwllheli. Eighteen minutes in they took the ball into Bethesda's twenty two. Rather than opening up they kept the ball tight. Organised Bethesda defending kept them at bay but Pwllheli continued to recycle the ball. On the tenth foray they managed to pierce the cover for Pwllheli's number eight Tom Parry to claim the try. The conversion missed. The score did not subdue the home team. They kicked effectively to pin Pwllheli back in their own twenty two. They launched attack after attack but made no headway. After being camped in the Pwllheli red zone for five minutes their patience deserted them and they opted for a drop goal to cut the deficit to five points to three. Pwllheli are now bettered structured and they maintained their structure. They gradually forced Bethesda back on on twenty seven minutes were rewarded with yet another pushover try. The scorer was flanker Harry Roberts. Though both teams gave their all half time came with Pwllheli leading by ten points to three.

The second half in many ways mirrored the first. It was an arm wrestle with the players storming into each other. The visiting supporters were delighted with the endeavour of their side . Young and old did well. Prop Alwyn Trenholme had his best outing for many a year and new centre Gary Lloyd-Williams can be proud of his efforts. Pwllheli now came to edge the scrum and although Bethesda were dangerous on the counter possession and territory gradually went Pwllheli's way. Twenty minutes in Pwllheli scored their third try and in total contrast to recent matches this was another push over try. Scrum half Robin Hughes Jones capitalised on the work of his pack to touch down wide on the left. Again the kick missed but at least there was now a clear two score lead. Bethesda were not done. They attacked strongly on the flanks and their full back was always a threat. It was however an error in their three quarters that saw the ball go loose forty metres out. Robin Hughes Jones latched on to the ball and raced through to score his team's vital fourth and try bonus score. The kicked missed and the whistle went shortly after.

Pwllheli will now need to regroup as they prepare for the tough Swalec Plate match away at Llanishen. Kick off is at 2.00. The Bus leaves the Club at 7.30 promptly on Saturday morning.

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