There was uncertainty as to whether the match would go ahead until a
few hours before kick off. The heavy rain and training overuse had
left areas of the pitch in a poor state and there was surface water in
some patches. The remedial work done during the course of the morning
by Richard Williams and Robat Williams tipped the balance in deciding
that the match should go ahead.
Shortly before kick off Colwyn Bay declared that they did not have a
suitable front row and would have to ask for uncontested scrums. This
is an element of North Wales rugby which is becoming endemic and there
must be a response by the WRU.
Considering the heavy conditions both sides tried to keep the ball
available and this was to Pwllheli's advantage.It took the Lleyn side
barely two minutes to register their first score as flanker Dafydd
Anwyl was put in the clear to touch down unopposed. Osian Parry Jones
added the conversion. Colwyn Bay tried to use their bulky backs to
breach the Pwllheli cover but the home team's defence was solid all
afternoon. Ten minutes later the visitors dropped a pass forty metres
from their line. Fly half John Pugh latched on to the loose ball and
scurried over to touch down. Parry Jones' kick put Pwllheli fourteen
points to nil ahead.
The game fluctuated for the next ten minutes but then the flood gates
opened. Tries from second row Geraint Parry WHO scored Pwllheli's
third and three minutes later flanker Tom Parry scored Pwllheli's
fourth and try bonus point try.
Five further tries followed before half time. The scorers were scrum
half Robin Hughes Jones, left winger Gethin Vaughan Jones,a second by
both Robin Hughes Jones and Tom Parry and the last of the half by
centre Ianto Parry.Five of these were converted by Osian ParryJones
to take the half tome score to Pwllheli fifty nine points, Colwyn Bay
nil.
The second period was tighter affair as Colwyn Bay dug deep.
They competed strongly in the rucks and mauls but Pwllheli's
established defensive alignment thwarted the visitors' attacking
moves.The game was stalemated for some fifteen minutes but Pwllheli
maintained their pressure.
Flanker Dafydd Anwyl scored his seond and hattrick try in quick
succession before winger Gethin Vaughan Jones added to his first half
score. It was Anwyl again to score his fourth and his team's
thirteenth try. Two further were scored in the fourth quarter. Scrum
half Robin Hughes Jones achieved his hattrick before full back Danial
Glyn Williams scored Pwllheli's fifteenth try.Osian Parry Jones
slotted three conversion s in the second period to achieve a total of
ten successful kicks in total.
The coaches will have been pleased with the way their back row
functioned with Dafydd Anwyl, Chris Studt , Tom Parry and Alan
Roberts denying the opposition any time and space on the ball. They
were also able to blood new players in the backs and they ended the
game with only one back who had played against Nant Conwy a few weeks
previously.
Colwyn Bay's fifteen players gave their all and despite the result can
go home with their heads held high. Pwllheli had a strong bench which
they used effectively whereas Colwyn Bay of course could not bring on
subs to the game.
Pwllheli have no match this Saturday so the focus is now on the
National Swalec Plate Quarter Final home match against Abercarn RFC.
This match takes place at Bodegroes on Saturday 18 February. Kick off
is at the earlier time of 2.00. The game is sponsored by C.K.I.
Pwllheli.This is certainly Pwllheli's most important match for many
years and the Lleyn side hope to be boosted by the volume of home
support.
There doesn't appear to be any tagged photos.
Please wait as the server processes your request. Do not attempt to refresh the page.