Fixture

Pwllheli RFC | 1st Team 21 - 12 Nant Conwy RFC | 1st Team

Match Report
04 January 2017 / Team News

Pwllheli RFC 21 Nant Conwy RFC 12

The keenly awaited Conwy Land Rover North Wales Cup match took place at Bodegroes on Saturday. The contest was watched by a crowd of close to five hundred partisan supporters. Most were of course supporting the Lleyn side but it was good to see Nant with a sizeable vociferous contingent. Given the recent weather the pitch surface was good and only a lateral breeze to have any impact on the game.With both Clubs unable to field their optimum fifteens there was considerable pre- match discussion a the teams' respective game plans.

The crowd did not have  along time to wait to assess the mood of the match. Both teams where wholly committed and from the outset big thumping tackles were the norm. Nant edged the opening minutes and it was no surprise when their fly half Delwyn Jones gave them the lead on five minutes with a penalty when Pwllheli's backs were caught offside. Pwllheli's set pieces were steady and from the outset their scrum had the nudge on the visitors. The game was interspersed with early errors and the whistle was prominent.  With Nant trying to spread the ball a telegraphed pass was intercepted by Pwllheli's ten John Pugh and he raced through to score under the posts. Osian Parry Jones added the conversion. Pwllheli's lead was cut to a single point on fifteen minutes as Delwyn Jones added his second penalty. 

The game struggled to flow with the teams unable to penetrate committed defences. Kicks dominated this phase of the match and Pwllheli extended their lead to ten points to six with an Osian  Parry Jones penalty. This was followed by one of the many injury stoppages as Pwllheli's Ifan Roberts had to leave the field with a blood injury. Pwllheli's scrum dominance was negated on twenty eight minutes when Nant declared that we unable to continue with contested scrums.This changed the focus of the game for the duration of the match as set scums are an integral part of Pwllheli's attacking game. The last score of the first period was a third penalty to Delwyn Jones which took the half time score to Pwllheli thirteen,Nant nine.

The Lleyn side opened the second period much the stronger. Nant yielded a series of penalties as they put up a desperate defence of their line.Osian Parry Jones slotted a long distance penalty. Pwllheli's pressure mounted. It was no surprise when Nant had a player yellow carded on eight minutes for killing the ball. There were several appeals for a penalty try as Pwllheli turned the screw. Pwllheli's reward came on eleven minutes as stalwart second row Geraint Parry crashed over.With the successful  conversion by Parry Jones Pwllheli had a twelve point lead.

On thirteen minutes Pwllheli were rocked with what appeared to be a serious injury to their centre Deio Brunelli. He was stretchered off the pitch and replaced by Arwel Thomas. With the sides trying everything to gain advantage the flow if the game was disrupted. Uncontested scrums made it easier to structure defensive alignment. Pwllheli ceded a fourth penalty to Nant. Pwllheli responded with a series of concerted attacks. They were camped on Nant's line but their line held. They lost their influential number  eight to a yellow card after twenty five minutes but though this was another ball killing incident in the red zone nothing more than a straight penalty was awarded.

Nant now raised their game. They capitalised on  a lost ball in their own twenty two to take the game to Pwllheli. It was now Pwllheli who were on the back foot. They lost thie rnumber eight when he was yellow carded for preventing release of the ball. The ensuing penalty kick drifted wide. The last minutes of the match - which ran over with a long period of injury time - were quite frenetic. Nant had another shot at goal and Osian Parry Jones hit the post with a penalty attempt after thirty six minutes. Nant were in Pwllheli's half when the final whistle went.

This was not Corinthian rugby but it was tough no quarter asked rugby where the better side won. Matches against Nant are always tough and this was no exception. Whatever one's views on the arrangements for the match it brought a good deal of attention to community rugby. The largest  crowd for a number of years were a testament to the interest generated. Pwllheli play Caernarfon away in the next round of the Conwy Land Rover North Wales Cup.

Pwllheli wing Osian Parry Jones was deservedly  awarded the Conwy Land Rover Man of the Match Bottle of Champagne not only for his eleven points through the boot but for his all round play.

The news about Deio Brunelli's injury is not good. He has fractured and dislocated his ankle  and underwent surgery at Ysbyty Gwynedd on Sunday afternoon. All best wishes are extended for a full and complete recovery.

Pwllheli face another difficult task on Saturday as they travel away to Bethesda. League form is irrelevant to this match as the Clubs vie for bragging sides. Pwllheli know they will get a warm welcome both on and off the pitch. Kick off is at 2.30.

The team bus to Llanishen RFC is filling fast. To secure one of the dwindling number of seats please contact Wil Martin at the Club

Players Fixture player info not published.
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