First Team, Welsh National League; Div 1 North. '08-'09 Season.
April 27th 2009 - Pwllheli RFC 16 Colwyn Bay RFC 27.
Despite the fact Pwllheli were down to the bare bones in terms of selection for this match they were nonetheless hugely disappointed with both the outcome and their performance. They had already beaten their opposition twice previously this season but on the day they deserved nothing from the match.
Conditions were perfect for the picture in this last home fixture of the season as the vistors kicked off. From the outset Pwllheli were error strewn and they knocked the ball on from the kick off. Though they held up well in the set pieces and particularly the scrum Pwllheli were physically lightweight in many departments. They were simply outmuscled in the tackle area and their defensive structure was under pressure from early in the game as they started falling off tackles. Their cause was further impaired by a leg injury to second row Mark Saynor after twenty two minutes. Fortunately this turned out to be ligament damage and not the fracture that was first feared.
Colwyn Bay's first points came from a well taken breakaway try. Breaking a would be tackle on the left they hugged the touchline and interpassed to touch down in the corner. Pwllheli struck back with a Gethin Roberts penalty. After losing their second row Pwllheli were reduced to a single ball carrier and this disrupted their pattern of play. Colwyn Bay took full advantage. Two tries came in quick succession and both were the result of poor initial tackling. With one successful conversion Pwllheli were now down seventeen points to three, but they did cut the defecit before half time with a second Roberts penalty.
The second half started solidly for Pwllheli but once again they were broken by a fine long range try. The conversion and a subsequent penalty put them a wholly unassailable twenty one points clear.
The last fifteen minutes were all Pwllheli. They created some golden opportunities but took two with tries from fullback Owain Williams and fly half Mathew Hicks. Whilst the scores might have given the result a veneer of respectabilty Pwllheli have now realised that they need to think hard on necessary changes both on and off the pitch if they are to compete in next year's the team Division One North.
April 11th 2009 -
Pwllheli RFC 25 Ruthin RFC 26.
The game isn't over until the fat lady sings but this was a match where the better side lost. It was a disputed decision made with ninety seconds to go which cost Pwllheli a match they deserved and should have won.
Despite being without no fewer than nine first team players the home side knew that if they played to their potential they would give second placed Ruthin a huge challenge. Pwllheli started with the breeze at their backs and took the game to a surprisingly hesitant Ruthin. With Pwllheli's eight dominating the scrums from start to finish they gave an excellent platform for scrum half William Hughes who kept Pwllheli's reorganised backline well supplied throughout the match.
Pressurising Ruthin into a series of errors Pwllheli went ahead with two early Owain Williams penalties as Ruthin killed Pwllheli ball. Seventeen minutes in Ruthin's defence was shredded as Gareth Wright used his pace and power to crash through for the Lleyn sides' first try. Ruthin did what they could to stay in contention and Pwllheli's captain was blood binned as he was punched from behind. Pwllheli however kept their foot on the throttle and were well managed by fly half Elgan Rowlands who had his best match for some months. They went sixteen to nil up with Wright's second try which followed a fluid backline move.Williams' conversion put them further ahead.
Pwllheli worked down the clock but a series of errors gave Ruthin the opportunity to counter. Chasing a kick ahead deep into the Ruthin twenty two Pwllheli caught the Ruthin full back in possession. However they were penalised by the referee.The relieving kick gave them a lineout put in. Pwllheli smothered the Ruthin attack but knocked the ball on in the process. Ruthin moved the ball left and after a series of attacks scored a try by wing Huw Parry in the last move of the half.
Ruthin had the best possible start to the second period. A clumsy knock on from a kick ahead gave them a scrum fifteen metres from the Pwllheli line and almost under the posts. Despite their put in being pressured by Pwllheli's shove a simple number eight pick up and go scythed through the Pwllheli cover to score under the posts. The conversion by Will Davies was a formality. Ruthin raised their game but Pwllheli looked threatening when the had the ball. Ruthin were willing to concede penalties when it was necessary to cut short Pwllheli forays but their street wise play paid dividends in that they were able to keep fifteen players on the park throughout the match.
It was Ruthin who scored next. Winning a lineout in the Pwllheli twenty two they drove towards the Pwllheli line.They recycled the ball six times before squeezing over for a try by Lee Pope. Davies' conversion took them to an improbable nineteen points to eighteen lead. The home side countered and were awarded yet another penalty thirty metres out and in front of the posts. The attempt literally did not get off the ground.
With five minutes to go Pwllheli retook the lead. Collecting a cross field kick in his own half left wing Gethin Roberts took the ball at pace, beat his opposite number and outpaced the cover defence to score wide out on the right. His superlative touchline conversion took Pwllheli six points clear. Pwllheli turned the screw. With three minutes to go they took the ball to within three metres of Ruthin's line. Pwllheli unnecessarily offended at the line out and Ruthin were able to relieve the pressure.
Pwllheli came straight back and the forwards drove the ball into Ruthin's half. A Ruthin player came in from the side of the ruck and Pwllheli's players and supporters were incensed when the penalty went the other way. Ruthin tapped and went. They caught out Pwllheli's defensive line who were expecting clean home side ball. They cut through and Will Davies scored. To his great credit he held his nerve to kick the diffuclt conversion. The whistle went thirty seconds later.
Pwllheli were devastated at the end in a game they knew they should have won. They will now regroup and travel to Colwyn Bay for a Wednesday evening fixture. Kick off is at 7.30. They are away to Nant Conwy on Saturday.
March 28th 2009 - Pwllheli RFC 12 Llangefni RFC 17.
Field conditions were excellent at Bodegroes as the league fixtures recommenced following the 6 Nations break.The wind was however a factor throughout with a strong northerly wide gusting strongly at times.
Llangefni started with the wind at their backs. From the outset ferocious tackles went in from both sides as they jostled for supremacy. As expected Llangefni dominated territorially in the opening exchanges. A big bonus for Pwllheli was that their scrum dominated the half and took three strikes against the head in the first period. Their lineout too was solid and this first phase possession allowed their backs to play some rugby. With their halfbacks playing well Pwllheli's threequarters were more prominent than of late. It was from a foray deep into Llangefni's half that Pwllheli were awarded a penalty from referee Geoff Cook. Dylan Llyr’s kick against the wind crept over the bar to give Pwllheli a three to nil lead.
Llangefni were allowed back into the game straight from the restart. Pwllheli knocked on from the kick off to give the visitors possession in the home twenty two. Pwllheli were able to stop the first drive from the scrum but Llangefni recycled the ball and were able to beat the stretched defence for fullback Arwel Roberts to score a clinical try. The conversion was missed.
Pwllheli came back strongly but it was again an unforced error that unlocked their defence. In attempting to move the ball from deep the ball was spilt and Llangefni capitalised. They swiftly moved the ball wide of the Pwllheli cover for scrum half Alex Rees to score. With Mark Bracken's conversion Llangefni went into a twelve to three lead with half time looming.The Lleyn side dug deep and worked the ball into the Llangefni half. Again Llangefni killed the ball and Dylan Llyr's successful thirty five metre kick against the wind gave a truer reflection of the half.
Having competed well in the first period Pwllheli sought to claw back the deficit. With Llangefni yielding a series of penalties Dylan Llyr took Pwllheli to nine points with his third successful kick of the match. As the half went on Pwllheli's scrum came under increasing pressure. With scrappy ball Pwllheli's platform from set piece became scrappy. It was however against the run of play that Llangefni scored their third try. Following a super break by their right wing an inside pass - albeit at least a metre forward was gleefully taken by the supporting Dylan Jones to score.
This hammer blow spurred Pwllheli on. They scored their fourth penalty to take them to within one score but Llangefni's well organised defence held until the final whistle.
Pwllheli deserved more than a losing bonus point and will take some solace that at times they played some excellent rugby.This was a much improved performance than of late but they will need to step up another gear if they are to win away at Mold next week. A venue incidentally where Pwllheli have never won a senior match.
March 7th - Llandudno RFC 16 Pwllheli RFC 13.
Despite having seven enforced changes from the squad that played Denbigh RFC last Saturday this was a game that the Lleyn side should and could have won. As it was it was a contest that did little to enhance the profile of rugby and it was a stop start affair from start to finish. Punctuated by penalties from the oustet - there were fifteen in the first quarter alone, neither side generating any consistent phases of play. The result was a huge boost for Llandudno and they deserved to win in that they took their chances and Pwllheli did not. Pwllheli will have to seriously regroup once again if they are going to overcome Denbigh in the semi final of the North Wales Cup being played at Bodegroes on Wednesday evening.
Conditions for the fixture were good. The pitch was firm and although Llandudno had a strong breeze behind them in the first half it was Pwllheli who started the stronger.They created several clear cut opportunities in the first fifteen minutes but failed to capitalise. Their pack were technically far stronger than Llandudno’s and their set pieces held up well throughout the contest. Once again it was the basic decision making skills which were lacking.The front five won enough ball but they lacked the powerful ball carriers who were available against Denbigh. Too much was asked of Geraint Parry and Llandudno tackled their hearts out throughout the eighty minutes.
The home side went ahead with a fine long distance penalty. Pwllheli responded and looked threatening but yet again both poor option taking and poor handling skills let the team down. As it was Llandudno extended their lead following yet another penalty offence. Pwllheli were not able to get any continuity and their distribution of the ball to their threequarters was too slow. Llandudno'r Rhodri Carlton Jones slotted his third successful penalty kick to close a frustrating half for the visitors and saw them trailing by nine points to nil.
With the wind in their favour and the talent of their backs virtually untapped surely the second period would see a Pwllheli resurgence. Initial signs were good. Owain Williams kicked an early penalty and Pwllheli went ahead after fifteen minutes play. For once the ball was given some width and right wing Gethin Roberts was put in the clear for a comfortable score. Williams' conversion put Pwllheli ten nine ahead.
All Pwllheli had to do was to show some composure. Llanduno's kick off was far too long and sailed into the Pwllheli twenty two. Inexplicably Pwllheli knocked the ball on. Llandudno won the ensuing scrum on the retreat. The ball was somehow shifted on to their bulky centre who penetrated the normally secure Pwllheli defence with ease. The simple conversion put them sixteen to ten ahead.
Though Pwllheli were able to reduce the arrears with a penalty the game deteriorated further. Constant stoppages for injury punctuated the last twenty minutes and it was impossible to build up any momentum. Despite this not a minute extra was allowed by the referee. There were chances to salvage something from the morass but even the opportunity to pull level with a penalty twenty metres out in the last minute was spurned.
The whistle went with even the consolation of a losing bonus point being no solace to Pwllheli. They have a diffcult run in to the rest of the season and know they have the ability to up their performance several gears above this disappointingly poor display.
February 28th 2009 - Pwllheli RFC 24 Denbigh RFC 0.
Pwllheli expected a huge challenge from close league rivals Denbigh and the visitors did not disappoint. They had clearly targetted this fixture and had high expectations of taking points from this match.
The visitors started strongly and from the outset they were clearly dependent on working moves through their talented number eight. Pwllheli had done their homework and their defence throughout was top drawer. It had to be as wave after wave of Denbigh attacks battered the Pwllheli line. Denbigh tried to vary their play but their speedy backline was well stewarded for the full eighty minutes.
Pwllheli opened the scoring against the run of play. A powerful break from centre Dylan Morris set up a forty metre dash to the line from flanker Richard Hughes. His touchdown and subsequent conversion from fullback Owain Williams stirred Denbigh. They knew that they had dominated both territorially and in possession and they upped their efforts in a renewed attempt to breach the home line. Their efforts were rewarded with an easy penalty opportunity but the kick hit a post and Pwllheli safely cleared their line. Again Denbigh tried to batter their way through but as the half went one their attempts became more stereotyped and their frustration grew.
They were then rocked through a Pwllheli resurgence late in the half. Pwllheli capitalised and scored a second try just before the half time break. Dafydd Myrddin finished off a strong Pwllheli drive but complacency in the conversion attempt meant two easy points were lost.
Whereas Denbigh could quite rightly argue that the twelve nil scoreline did not reflect the first forty minutes.Pwllheli dominated the second period and Denbigh's forays into Pwllheli's half were few and far between.Now it was Denbigh's defence that was tested. They coped well in the tight exchanges but only poor option taking by Pwllheli's backline kept them in the match.
Pwllheli's third try came from another sweeping movement. Winning ball in their own half they made ground on the left. With centre Euros Thomas receiving the ball at pace he beat the cover to score wide out. Pwllheli were by now creating chances but stout defence combined with some indecision seemed to have cost them dear. However in the very last move of the match replacement centre David Lloyd Williams was put in the clear on his own ten metre line. His speed and fresh legs against a tiring defence saw him gallop sixty metres to score under the posts and thus gain his team a hard earned bonus point. With the last kick of the match flanker Richard Hughes slotted the simplest of conversions.
Pwllheli meet Denbigh again at Bodegroes in a North Wales Cup semi final fixture on Wednesday March 11.Kick off under floodlights is 7.30.
Pwllheli did not come through the game unscathed and they will sweat on injuries to several key players. We will need to be at our best to get a result away at Llandudno next Saturday. Deperate for points in their efforts to pull away from the relegation contenders Llandudno will be pulling out all the stops to gain invaluable League points against us.
February 21st 2009 - SWALEC PLATE COMPETITION, Round 4
Rhydyfelin RFC 54 Pwllheli RFC 0.
Doubts as to availability meant that Pwllheli were unable to finalise their squad until nine o clock Friday night. As it was they were forced to travel with a bare eight forwards with wing Ifan Roberts making up the eighth place on the flank and prop Aaron Owen drafted in at second row.
Pwllheli's travel arrangements went to plan and conditions were ideal for playing rugby. From the very outset it was apparent that Pwllheli were conceding size and weight across the pack. This deficit did not manifest itself in the set pieces where Pwllheli's technical prowess stood up well. They even managed a strike against the head. It was in the tackle area that the Lleyn side suffered from early on.
As it was Rhydyfelin scored after only five minutes. They moved the ball to their huge left wing and his pace and power left the visitors floundering as he crashed over in the corner. Pwllheli kept their shape and the only other home score of the half came from a breakaway try twenty four minutes in. The conversion took Rhydyfelin’s lead to twelve points. Pwllheli then upped a gear and had several opportunities but the efficient home defence held firm and were unlucky when a penalty attempt hit post. Half time came with the home side holding a 12 point lead, with Pwllheli scoreless but still in the match.
The first ten minutes of the second period saw Pwllheli on the back foot as Rhydyfelin's power began to tell. They had an excellent offload game and did this at pace. They extended their lead on fifty minutes with a well taken try. Again Pwllheli held and had another scorless ten minutes before the home side scored their fourth try. Pwllheli were now counting the cost of their stalwart efforts. First centre Euros Thomas was forced off through injury and he was followed by fly half Dylan Llyr who had to be carried off the pitch. They were replaced by Berwyn Jones and Michael Jones who did what they could for the cause. Sadly the last ten minutes saw the floodgates open as Rhydyfelin powered through for four more scores.
Clearly Rhydyfelin thoroughly deserved their win and showed the gap between Division Two and Division Four rugby. The eighteen players who represented Pwllheli gave their all and you cannot ask for more than that.
We now need to regroup with the prospect of a tricky home fixture against Denbigh on Saturday. Kick off 2.30.
Report from Daily Post Monday February 23rd
January 31st 2009- Pwllheli RFC 27 Dolgellau RFC 11.
With Dolgellau's much improved recent form Pwllheli expected and got a tough match. Conditions were excellent at Bodegroes as Pwllheli started the second half of their league programme. The first twenty minutes were all Pwllheli as they started strongly. Their pack took the ball in as series of short drives and the inevitable happened as Colin Jones crashed over from yet another forward orientated foray after only ten minutes. Five minutes later prop Aaron Owen finished off a flowing movement to score his first league try for the club. Breaking on the right an exquisitely timed pass from fullback Owain Williams gave him space to beat the cover from twenty metres out.
Dolgellau then rallied strongly. They threw together a series of excellent tackles which stopped Pwlheli in their tracks. Pwllheli lost some composure and the visitors deservedly cut the deficit with a penalty after sixteen minutes.With plenty of possession Pwllheli's backs were too often on the back foot and had to overly depend on individual skills to break down the stubborn Dolgellau defence. They steadied the ship after Owain Williams slotted a twentieth minute penalty as Dolgellau were penalised for persistently slowing down the ball.
Once again Dolgellau 's smaller forwards got amongst Pwllheli and after Pwllheli went over the top at a ruck Dolgellau cut the deficit with a second penalty again by their fullback.
All the first half scores came in the first frenetic twenty five minutes as the teams vied for supremacy. The teams entered half time with Pwllheli holding a thirteen to six lead.
The second period saw the visitors throwing everything into breaching the Pwllheli defence. It was from such an attack that the ball came loose five metres from the Pwllheli line. Receiving the ball Pwllheli's full back saw an opportunity to attack. He cut inside the oncoming Dolgellau players and made twenty metres before putting left wing Ifan Roberts clear but still with the cover defence to beat and ninety yards to run. He was able to maintain his composure and raced away to score under Dolgellau's posts. The conversion was a formality.
This steadied Pwllheli's nerve and they upped the momentum and were camped on the visitor's twenty two for minutes on end. A mixture of stalwart defending and poor handling kept them at bay. Dolgellau preyed on Pwllheli mistakes and they were rightly rewarded on seventy seven mnutes by a well worked try way out on the left. Again the scorer was their full back.
Pwllheli were desperate for the fourth try which would give them a bonus point win. To their credit they unleashed one last attack. Winning three successive ruck balls scrum half Hicks passed to fly half Dylan Llyr - who was playing his first senior match for two years. With the whole of his threequarters to his right he dummied the pass and danced through to score under the posts. The conversion by Owain Williams was the last kick of a very hard fought encounter.
Pwllheli did not fire on all cylinders during the match but Dolgellau showed signs that they can pull themselves out of the relegation quagmire. Nonetheless for Pwllheli it was a bonus point win which takes them to sixth place in the table with a game in hand on the team above them.
It now seems that Bala are not able to travel to Bodegroes for Saturday's rearranged fixture. Attempts are being made to rearrange the match for Wednesday February 11 under lights at Bodegroes. Check the club website -www pwllhelirfc.com - for details.
January 26th 2009 SWALEC PLATE COMPETITION Round 3
Pwllheli RFC 28 Llanelli Wanderers 0.
The match was played in perfect rugby conditions and was watched by a crowd of over three hundred. The home side had prepared well for the fixture and were well aware of the threat posed by the Wanderers. The game plan was to pin back the Wanderers in their own half and this they did effectively with a series of long range kicks from fly half Elgan Rowlands. It may not have been the flowing rugby Pwllheli are renowned for but it was certainly effective.
Pwllheli took the game to the opposition from the start. Their lineouts went well and the scrum was solid throughout. Llanelli were very strong in the loose but as the game progressed Pwllheli began to edge this facet of play.
The Lleyn side opened the scoring after twelve minutes with a forty metre penalty from full back Owain Williams. Captain Geraint Parry added a try on twenty minutes following an initial break from Rowlands. Llanelli responded well and brought all their experience into play. Their tackles increased in ferocity and they tried to get their skilfull backs moving. However Pwllheli reponded in kind and went through the phases to keep possession. Defences dominated play and the match went into half time with Pwllheli holding a slender eight to nil advantage.
Llanelli came out strongly for the first minutes of the second half. Probably for the only period of the game they consistently put together cohesive passages of play. Their forwards and backs worked well together as they strove to breach the Pwllheli defence. Pwllheli's organisation and commitment held the line and gradually Llanelli's efforts were overcome. Pwllheli then took control. Their second try of the match came form second row Huw Williams on fifty minutes.
With hooker Dafydd Myrddin oustanding in the loose Pwllheli started turning over ball. It was from such loose play that Dafydd Myrddin picked up the ball which had squirted out of a ruck to gallop unchallenged down the blindside to secure Pwllheli's victory. Owain Williams added the conversion. Five minutes later Williams added a penalty to add to his haul as Pwllheli turned the screw.The final score came on eighty minutes when centre Euros Thomas scored wide out after breaking the defensive line to score another long range try.
Pwllheli now go into the hat as one of sixteen clubs still competing in th Swalec Plate competition.The draw is likely to be made on Tuesday this week.
Dolgellau RFC are the visitors to Bodegroes on Saturday in a Division One North league match..They will be buoyed by their league win over Colwyn Bay on Saturday and as always will provide stiff opposition.
January 19th 2009 - Caernarfon RFC 10 Pwllheli RFC 0.
It is a tribute to the durability of both teams and the referee that this match was ever completed. The gale force wind combined with the icy rain impacted on both sides.Despite this and failing light both sides performed well and the crowd were treated to a gritty display of hard hitting rugby. The hosts started the stronger with the advanatage of the pronounced slope while Pwllheli had the wind at their backs.
Despite not having played for a few weeks Caernarfon took the game to Pwllheli in the first five minutes. Only brave defence kept Caernarfon's huge ball carrying forwards at bay. Pwllheli gradually adjusted to the conditions but they were unable to put the phases together. Nonetheless they spent considerable periods in the Caernarfon twenty two but could not make the breach. With Caernarfon's half backs being well contained it took a sweeping movement to break the deadlock. Caernarfon drove to within thirty five metres of the Pwllheli line before a sweet passing movement put wing Lance Owen in the clear to score wide out on the left.
Despite the setback Pwllheli were still in it. They saw a penalty kick at goal swirl outside the posts and had several linesout within five metres of Caernarfon's line. The hosts defence held and they deserved to edge the half with their solitary try.
Now with the advantage of the gale force wind it was expected that Caernarfon's half backs would be able to dominate territorially with their renowned line kicking. Pwllheli however limited their options by pressursing both half backs whenever they got the ball. Again Caernarfon were secure on their own ball and exerted pressure on Pwllheli particularly at the lineout. Their try when it came resulted from a Pwllheli error.
Caernarfon created a two on two within the Pwllheli twenty two. As it was Pwllheli's wing got sucked into a two on one tackle. The space was created and the try was well taken by Caernarfon's hooker Paul Williams.
Pwllheli's resolve held and as the minutes passed their confidence grew and the last ten minutes it was all Pwllheli deep into the Caernarfon twenty two. Huge tackles were being made by both teams. Despite their efforts they could not break down the home defence. Nor could they persuade the referee to respond to two collapsed scrums. The whistle went with a jubilant Caernarfon enjoying the double over Pwllheli while the Lleyn side rued what might have been.
Caernarfon deserved the win on the day but the Pwllheli team will be justifiably disappointed that their efforts went unrewarded.
The Lleyn side will now focus their attention on their Swalec Plate home fixture at Bodegroes on Saturday against Third Division West Llanelli Wanderers. Kick off is at 2.00.The incentive is a place in the last sixteen of this inaugural competition.The draw for the next round will be made on Tuesday January 27.
January 10th 2009 - Pwllheli RFC 37 Llanidloes RFC 5.
Despite the recent freezing weather the pitch at Bodegroes was eminently playable although the surface remained greasy throughout. The players had more difficulty coping with the cold and the strong breeze. The other games in the Division all fell casualties to the weather.
The home side started strongly and created four clear cut try scoring chances in the first fifteen minutes. Their set scrum had the edge throughout and was a secure source of possession. Half backs Hicks and Rowlands combined well and they were particularly adept in bringing their runners into play. Llanidloes' defence was finally breached after sixteen minutes when centre Euros Thomas scythed through from forty metres out to score under the posts.Gethin Roberts added the starightforward conversion.
Pwllheli extended their lead barely five minutes later, this time it was centre Ifan Roberts who benefited from a sweeping movement which put him clear wide out on the left. Llanidloes were on the back foot for much of the time but were still in the game. Their aspirations were hugely dented by a brace of tries on twenty seven and tenty nine minutes from second row Colin Jones. The first was typical of Jones, when he scored with a low burrowing drive. The second surprised everyone when he powered through from fully thirty five metres out. This secured Pwllheli's try bonus point and with a Roberts conversion put Pwllheli twenty four points to nil up.
Llandiloes were further rcoked on the stroke of half time when Gethin Roberts scored out on the right to register Pwllheli's fifth try.
The second half was a more lack lustre staccato affair. The tempo of the match was constantly interrupted by stoppages particulalry at the breakdown. The home team were increasingly frustrated as they were dominant in most aspects of the game. Llanidloes took advanatage when their talisman fly half Dan Short scored from close range from a quickly taken tap penalty. Pwllheli composed themselves and missed two gilt edged chances to extend their lead before Gethin Roberts did so with a long range penalty. Though Llanidloes never threatened a revival Pwllheli struggled for fluency and were further impeded by two yellow cards. They did manage a further score, when down to fourteen players, and it was worth the wait. A forward drive by Pwllheli's tight five saw the ball driven into midfiled. Forwards linked with backs and number eight Richard Hughes fed replacement full back Owain Williams who sped pass the cover defence to score in the right hand corner.
Pwllheli were pleased to have played at all and they will have been satisfied with a bonus point win. They will have to step up several gears when they travel to meet Caernarfon away on Saturday.
December 21st 2008 SWALEC PLATE COMPETITION Round 2
Pwllheli RFC 43 Cefneithin RFC 6.
Pwllheli were well aware of Cefneithin's pedigree and realised that they could pose a real stumbling block to progress in the Swalec Plate competition. Though thet had prepared well for the match the opening salvos reinforced the threat the vistors posed. Pwllheli were unusually hesitant. Their handling skills let them down and they also managed to get on the wrong side of the referee's decisions.Cefneithin had some experienced players in key positions and they orchestrated matters in the early minutes of the match. Though they very rarely threatened the Pwllheli tryline they were able to secure considerable possession.
Pwllheli gradually settled and their scrum in particular was stronger than the opposition's. Nonetheless it took a fine try to prise open Cefneithin's stubborn defence. Breaking from their own half Pwllheli interpassed before passing ito captain Geraint Parry to score from thirty metres out.Owain Williams slotted the conversion. Cefneithin came back strongly and were rewarded with penalties after nineteen and twenty two minutes by their fullback.
The Lleyn side then set up three clear try scoring opportunities all of which were wasted by poor decision making. The half time whistle with the home side only seven points to six in the lead and Cefneithin very much in the game.
The second period saw Pwllheli open with a very different tempo. The game plan of drawing in defenders before releasing their threeequarters was very basic but very effective. Pwllheli's ball carriers Geraint Parry,Huw Williams,Richard Hughes and Colin Jones became increasingly threatening as they sucked the energy from Cefneithin's tacklers. It was from an opening created by his colleague that Dafydd Myrddin score a superb solo try from his own half. Having had a breach created he bludgeoned his way past would be tacklers to score under the posts. Williams' conversion put a bit of daylight between the teams. It was Williams who further stretched the lead with a forty six minutes penalty.
Cefneithin though were still strong but try as they might that could not break down the Pwllheli defence. As the game went on they began to tire and the floodgates finally opened in the last fifteen minutes.
Pwllheli's third try was scored by centre Euros Thomas who powered his way through after sixty five minutes. This was followed by right wing Gethin Roberts who finished off a slick move to score. Both tries were coverted by fly half Owain Williams to push Pwllheli into a thirty one to six lead. It was Thomas who scored his brace after seventy five minutes as he latched on to the deftest of kicks from centre Elgan Rowlands. Williams again converted. The loudest cheer of the day was left until last Gethin Roberts intercepted a pass twelve metres from his own line and kept his composure to score.
Pwllheli will be well pleased with a day's work well done.They are still however very much a team in development and Colwyn Bay away on Saturday January third will now be their sole focus.
The club wish to thank their supporters who donated £153 on the day towards the R.N.L.I.
Pwllheli will play Third Division Llanelli Wanderers in the last thirty two of the Plate competition and are crossing their fingers for a home draw.
The club host a Charity match at Bodegroes on Saturday 27 December with a 2.00 kick off. A Chairmans XV wil play a combined team. All money raised will go to the Air Ambulance.
December 13th 2008 - Pwllheli RFC 6 Nant Conwy RFC 8.
The match was in doubt until a few hours before kick off following the continuous downpour of the previous day. Fortunately the pitch's natural drainage absorbed all the surface water though the pitch was still greasy and muddy underfoot.
Nant came to Bodegroes as the leading club in the North and their early onslaught seemed to confirm this status.They took the game to the home side from the outset but will have been surprised at the ferocity and organisation of the defence.Pwllheli were well aware of the threat posed from their centres and had planned accordingly. With several key players again unavailable Pwllheli slotted flanker Ifan Roberts to partner Euros Thomas at the core of their backline defence. The move worked well and the home side nullified the threat. Such was the visitors’ confidence that they initally scorned the chance to have a go at two kickable penalties, chosing instead to run the ball. Again their forays came to nothing.
Their first score came from a penalty. Pwllheli had cleared the ball into Nant's half. Their winger returned the kick only to be impeded during his follow up. Not only did they slot the ensuing penalty but Pwllheli lost centre Euros Thomas to the sin bin for foul play. Nant took full advantage scoring a well worked and taken try in the corner against the depleted defence.
Pwllheli's fourteen men rallied and were rewarded with an Owain Williams penalty. Though Nant came back strongly the half time score was only eight points to three in Nant's favour. In a game of two halves Pwllheli more than shaded the second period. Owain Williams narrowed the deficit with his second successful kick of the game. Pwllheli matched Nant in the loose and in set play from then on. As they upped the tempo they were awarded two kickable penalties but in the quagmire the pitch had become no kick was easy and both attempts drifted wide.
Nant had a good share of possession they seemed intent on using the boot or the crash ball both of which Pwllheli were able to deal with.The key point of the match came when Pwllheli created a clear overlap of two well into Nant's twenty two only for the final pass to go adrift into touch. It would be hard to see how Nant could have come back from a score at that time and the whistle went with Pwllheli still on top but still two points adrift.
This was a game Pwllheli could well have won .They were disappointed in defeat but now hope that they can come back all the stronger on Saturday when they host Cefneithin RFC in the Second Round of the SWALEC Plate. Note that the kick off is at the earlier time of 1PM - at Cefneithin's request.
A collection will be made during the match towards the R.N.L.I.
November 17th 2008 SWALEC PLATE COMPETITION Round 1
Llandybie RFC 21 Pwllheli RFC 33.
Pwllheli travelled the winding road to West Wales for the third time in the past seven weeks. Once again they were forced to travel with only three substitutes. The travel arrangements went to plan and the players had some time to relax before match preparations began.
The Lleyn side have invariably conceded points early this season so there was focus on making a solid start to this tricky fixture. Conditions were excellent for the game with a firm pitch and overcast but dry weather.
Pwllheli started very strongly. Their scrum had the edge from the start and there was a good balance in the back row. They opened the scoring after only five minutes. Winning loose ball on the left the ball was transferred along the line for full back David Williams, in his first game since April to give the scoring pass to right wing Gethin Roberts to score wide out. The conversion missed. Llandybie came back but Pwllheli held firm and it was the visitors who scored next.
After gaining possession some forty five metres out flanker Carl Studt outpaced the cover defence to score an excellent individual try. Gethin Roberts added the conversion to take Pwllheli twelve points clear.
Llandybie stuck to their game plan of keeping the ball tight and although they rarely threatened the Pwllheli line they had a huge weapon in their armoury in the mammoth boot of their fly half, Goodfellow. It was he who slotted a difficult penalty after twenty one minutes to reduce the deficit. Though Pwllheli looked threatening on occasion the final pass kept going adrift. This was the pattern of the game until almost half time.
Llandybie's fly half seemed unable to miss a kick and slotted three more penalties until Gethin Roberts slotted a penalty for Pwllheli to leave Pwllheli ahead at the interval by fifteen points to twelve.
The second period saw much the same pattern developing. Pwllheli looked good on the ball but Llandybie dug deep. They tackled anything in a green shirt and put their bodies on the line when it mattered. Pwllheli stretched their lead with another Roberts penalty before Goodfellow struck his fifth consecutive successful penalty.
Pwllheli reacted to the threat with a solid ten minutes play down in Llandybie's half. From ever mounting pressure Pwllheli's Colin Jones crashed over from a quick tap penalty. The Roberts conversion and a long range penalty from the same player seemed to put the Lleyn side in an unassailable position. Llandybie however, and Goodfellow in particular had other ideas and slotted another two penalties to cut the deficit to only seven points. Pwllheli composed themselves and it was a fine try from fly half Elgan Rowlands which sealed the match for the Lleyn side. Noticing that Llandybie's drift defence had gone early he scythed through to score.
This was a good result against a decent side who played with pride and passion with Pwllheli's organisation and flair finally seeing them through.Pwllheli are now crossing their fingers for a home draw this season in the Second Round.
The next game is at home against Colwyn Bay in the North Wales Cup on Tuesday November 26th. 7.15 kick off under lights.
November 1st 2008 - Pwllheli RFC 22 Mold RFC 18.
Pwllheli needed to bounce back after their narrow away defeat to Cardigan in the SWALEC Cup last Saturday. This was only their third home start of the season and the opposition could not have been much harder than high flying Mold. With preparations again disrupted by unavailabilty and injury there were five new faces in the squad.
Fortunately conditions were ideal for rugby with only a light wind and a firm playing surface. The Lleyn side started well going through the phases and stretching the ball only when they had made ground. Mold too had a similar game plan and thankfully did not give their elusive left wing too much of the ball. They depended on the boot of their fly half to make territory and used their bulky inside centre as a blunt attacking tool.
The first score came against the home side, again resulting from a Pwllheli error. Mold kicked ahead, the defence had an opportunity to clear their lines, but chose to run and were caught in possession. Mold turned the ball over and switched to the left wing. With Pwllheli's cover sucked the visitors created the overlap to score a well worked try on the left. The conversion put Mold seven points up.
Pwllheli responded well to the setback and continued to take the ball to Mold. Defences remained strong on both sides until Pwllheli were awarded a scrum five metres from Mold's line. The new laws gave Pwllheli a distinct advantage and veteran number eight Richard Hughes used all his power to crash over to score. The conversion attempt missed.
The game then saw both sides use their bulk and guile to get an advantage but it was Pwllheli who edged into an eight to seven half time lead with an Owain Williams penalty.
The second half initially followed the pattern of the first but Mold pulled ahead with a try from their prop after eighteen minutes. Mold then capitalised on a flurry of penalties against Pwllheli which culminated in two successful penalty kicks from their fly half. Pwllheli did not panic and indeed upped a gear. They started gaining the ascendancy in the set pieces and disrupted several Mold scrums to win strikes against the head. Pwllheli's tackling also had an effect and the momentum clearly swung their way.They were quicker to the breakdown and were able to win most fifty fifty balls.
They cut the deficit with a huge fifty five metre effort from Gethin Roberts which cleared the bar with ease. Now trailing by eighteen points to eleven they needed to keep up the pressure. The team structure held and it was the evergreen Hughes who notched his second score after a powerful burst.
Now it was Mold who conceded peanlties as they attempted to stifle quick Pwllheli possession. Up stepped fullback Owain Williams to slot over a short distance kick and another superb effort from forty five metres against the wind.
Four points clear, Pwllheli's supporters thought they were home and dry but Mold are too good a team to give up without a fight. They stormed back at Pwllheli and camped on the Pwllheli line for the remainder of the game. There were countless occassions when they came within inches of the line, but Pwllheli's defence held strong, until at four minutes passed the eighty the whistle finally went.
This was an encouraging result for this youthful Pwllheli side as Mold clearly came to Pwllheli expecting a win. With Pwllheli's Youth team also gaining a narrow victory over the same opposition, there was some satisfaction in the Pwllheli camp at the end of the afternoon.
The totally contrasting requirements between Division One and Two North is epitomised by the fact that Pwllheli kicked more penalties in this game - four - than the three they kicked throughout last season.
Pwllheli have once again been drawn away in the SWALEC Cup - this time in the Plate Competition.They are away to Llandybie Rfc on Saturday 15 November.
Supporters will need to contact the club if they wish to travel on the team coach. Travel and accomodation arrangements will be confirmed by Thursday 6 November.
October 27th 2008 SWALEC CUP Round 2 - Cardigan RFC 22 Pwllheli RFC 21
The Lleyn team travelled to this SWALEC Cup Second Round fixture on the back of a poor away performance to Llangefni and with yet more enforced changes.
Cardigan elected to play with the strong wind in their favour and seemed to have made the right decision as they scored their first try after only four minutes.They benifited from a wayward relieving kick which opened up space for Cardigan's left wing to score. The conversion was a formality.
Pwllheli had however learned from recent experiences and stuck to a clear and effective game plan. Their bulked up back row had a huge game as did reinstated fly half Elgan Rowlands.Their ball retention was good and they regularly made ground on the short side. It was from such a foray that hooker Kevin Morris broke clear in his own half. He made ground before drawing the full back and passing to left wing Darron Roberts. He sped fully fifty metres to quieten the large home crowd. Gethin Roberts added the conversion against the wind to square the scores at seven points each.
When it seemed Pwllheli would hold their hosts to an improbable first half draw Cardigan's final attack of the half saw them score wide out.The missed conversion was the last action of the half.
Early in the second period both teams made changes in the front row. Proving that size is not everything Bleddyn Davies out scrummaged his twenty two stone opponent to the extent that Pwllheli earned three strikes against the head before the end of the match. Both sides threw in some bone shuddering tackles but defences seemed to have the upper hand.
It was unfortunate that Cardigan extended their lead through one of the few errors made by the Pwllheli pack.Winning ruck ball thirty metres from their own line Pwllheli allowed the ball to spin out the side of the ruck.Cardigan picked up the ball and moved it left.They sucked in Pwllheli's misaligned cover to create space for their third try. With the kick Pwllheli now faced a daunting nineteen to seven deficit.
To their credit discipline held as did the adherance to the game plan. Now, also gaining ascendancy in the lineouts, Pwllheli took the game to Cardigan. With fifteen minutes to go Pwllheli reduced the deficit as they scored their second converted try following a powerful forward drive. Now with everything to play for it was the Third Division side who seemed to run out of ideas.
Pwllheli missed a glorious opportunity to score when the last pass was dropped after they had created a clear opening on the left. Still they plugged away and it was a deserved score from fly half Rowlands which allowed them to draw level with their hosts. Gethin Roberts kept his concentration as he slotted the conversion to put Pwllheli twenty one points to nineteen ahead with eight minutes of play to go.
Now it was time for Cardigan's resolve to be truly tested. They came back strongly but Pwllheli's defence held. On full time they cleared their line with a touch kick which gave Cardigan the put in. Pwllheli thought they dealt with the ensuing set piece but were penalised for a lineout offence. Cardigan's fly half Crompton held his nerve to kick the goal.
There was no time for Pwllheli to come back and they were justifiably disappointed to lose by the narrowest of margins.
Pwllheli now need to regroup again as they face Mold home on Saturday with Dolgellau being the guests at Bodegroes on Wednesday November 5 in a North Wales Cup match.
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Match report courtesy of
Photos by Emyr Rhys Williams
Rugby Round-Up Sighs of relief were almost audible at King George V Playing Field as Cardigan of Division 3 West edged home 22-21 against gritty Pwllheli from Division 4 North in round two of the WRU Swalec Cup.
The visitors were on top for lengthy periods and appeared to have pulled off a giant-killing when leading 21-19 with time running out. But outside half Iestyn Crompton landed a last gasp penalty and saved the home blushes.
Cardigan led 12-7 after the opening 40 minutes, their points coming from two tries by winger Guto Crompton, one of which was converted by his brother and outside half Iestyn. Darren Roberts got a try for Pwllheli converted by outside half Elgan Rowlands.
When replacement winger Michael Diggle increased the advantage with a try converted by Crompton it appeared all up for the visitors. But they responded with two converted tries to take a one point lead with barely five minutes remaining.
As the homesters strove to pull the tie out of the fire they were awarded a penalty in front of the posts and up stepped Crompton to land the winning penalty.
To see more of Emyr's photos click here.
October 20th 2008 - Llangefni RFC 37 Pwllheli RFC 12.
Pwllheli were forced to send an inexperienced side to Ynys Môn and paid the price as Llangefni were good value for their comfortable victory.The home pack dominated the set pieces and gave their half backs an armchair ride.
Given that the management of the loose was non existent the more streetwise Llangefni eight were able to dominate that facet of play as well. Pwllheli started strongly and their backs looked good with ball in hand. However as the game progressed they had to exist increasingly on scraps of possession as Llangefni took control.
Nonetheless Llangefni went ahead in a strange fashion, to set a tone that was to continue for the rest of the game. Pwllheli were penalised under the posts. The kicker slipped as he took his kick and failed to convert. Both linesmen indicated no goal but the kick was nevertheless awarded.
Llangefni's first try came from a pushover try as their powerful eight drove for captain Wil Bown to score.Their only other try of the half came when it was Wil Bown who surged through from a lineout. He appeared to be held up but again the score was awarded. Pwllheli held out for the rest of the half and had occasional bursts of quality play.
Pwllheli started the second period with the breeze in their favour, but again the backs were starved of the ball. Occasional forays looked promising but it was Llangefni who continued to outmuscle their visitors. Llangefni took advantage of a sin binning of a Pwllheli prop to ease ahead with two well taken tries before Pwllheli's Mark Saynor powered over for a deserved try.
There was to be no way back and the Lleyn side becoming increasingly disconsolate as to the overwhelming preponderance of decisons against them. Llangefni eased to two further tries before Pwllheli made one last effort and scored a well worked try by Carl Studt which brought a modicum of respectabilty to the score.
Pwllheli are away to Cardigan RFC on Saturday in the second round of the SWALEC Cup. It is likely the opposition will be even stiffer but at least Pwll can be more confident of a better balanced management of the game.
October 13th 2008 - Pwllheli RFC 21 Llandudno RFC 3
Conditions were surprisingly good for Pwllheli's long awaited second home fixture of the season but deteriorated during the game as the weather set in with most of the match played in drizzle. With Llandudno having had a poor start to the season the home supporters looked forward to a good game of rugby. The Lleyn side started well and made inroads whenever they got the ball. Sadly though, any pattern of play was punctuated by errors and the team also found themselves at the wrong end of a stream of penalty decisions.
In fairness the veteran Llandudno pack stood up well throughout and the young Pwllheli front row will have learnt a lot from this match. Still, Pwllheli continued to try to play rugby but could not establish any rhythm. It was against the run of play but perhaps not surprising in the context of the match that Llandudno went ahead through a penalty.
Pwllheli tried to respond but again could not maintain any continuity.Despite their best efforts they went into half time three points behind.
A more determined home team started the second period and were rewarded after Llandudno were penalised close to their own line. Pwllheli took a quick penalty and Pwllheli's captain, Richard Hughes crashed over to score the long awaited opening try. Owain Williams added the conversion.
The home team upped the pace and although some glaring opportunities were missed Euros Thomas scored a long range solo try to ease supporters' concerns. Williams added the two points.
Llandudno hung on but were rocked with Pwllheli's best move of the match. Put in the clwaer inside his own half, centre, Dylan Morus made fifty metres before passing inside to the supporting Richard Hughes to score under the posts. Once again Williams added the conversion.
Pwllheli then had five minutes to chase the bonus point. Following yet another Llandudno penalty Pwllheli's replacement flanker impeded Llandudno's scrum half from taking a quick penalty. He was then subjected to a barrage of blows thrown in frustration but then was hit by a cheap haymaker from behind.
Fortunately the referee saw the incident and red carded the perpatrator. Pwllheli also had a substitute red carded for encroaching onto the field of play.The match finished shortly after with a frustrated Pwllhelii ruing their missed chances.
They play Llangefni away next Saturday and will need to up their game several gears if they are to get anything from that match.
October 6th 2008 - Denbigh RFC 15 Pwllheli RFC 10
Pwllheli have always found Denbigh a difficult place to get a result.
Combine this was a raft of enforced changes and it was a bonus to get anything at all out of this match.
In blustery conditions Denbigh maximised their home advantage. They took the match Pwllheli and for once Pwllheli found it difficult to respond. The Lleyn side's pack stood up well and young prop Aaron Owen gave his opposite number a torrid time throughout. Pwllheli though lacked penetration and their lateral play rarely threatened the home team.
Denbigh settled the quicker and scored two well taken tries through fullback Dafydd Cartwright and fly half Sion Rowlands. Llion Edwards added the conversion.
The Lleyn's side 's only response was a penalty from fullback Owain Williams but the home side retained their twelve to three advantage. Pwllheli did manage a try from fly half Elgan Rowlands with Williams adding the honours but Edwards stretched Denbigh's lead with his second successful kick of the match.
Denbigh will be delighted with the result which keeps them, as Pwllheli,firmly in mid table. This was not a match for the connoisseur and the coaching team were a little concerned as to some of the off the ball incidents which went unnoticed. Pwllheli will have been encouraged by the form of replacement scrum half Radim Pavlasek whose link play was crisp throughout the game.
Pwllheli clearly have to learn form this result and take some solace in earning a bonus point whilst playing well below par.
On Saturday they face a Llanduno side who are having a surprisingly poor start to the season. This will be only the second home fixture for Pwllheli this season and are hopeful for strong support. Kick off at Bodegroes is 2.30.
Denbigh Rugby Club Match Report.
September 30th 2008 SWALEC CUP Round 1 Neath Athletic 27 Pwllheli RFC 29
Pwllheli arrived at Neath's changing rooms at 1.15 after having left Bodegroes at 7.35 that morning. The arduous journey and late arrival impacted on the team's pre match preparation. As it was they had been forced to travel without nine first team regulars and were dependent on a bench of three.
Conditions were perfect for the fixture with only a slight breeze to cool the hot and humid conditions. To their credit Pwllheli started well. They used the ball well and only weak handling let them down.
Neath Athletic have a famous history but the current side were thankfully not as dynamic as of old. Nevertheless it was Neath who scored first through a well taken breakaway try. Recycling ball on the half way line Pwllheli's defence was breached for Neath to score under the posts. Pwllheli clawed back into the match with a Williams penalty kick that scraped over the posts only for Neath to score a well taken long distance try under the posts. With both tries being converted Pwllheli went into half time with a fourteen to three deficit.
Pwllheli dominated the opening phases of the second period but again squandered overlaps through indifferent handing and poor option taking. They stuck to their task and were rewarded fifteen minutes in with a comfortable try from centre Dafydd Anwyl who was relishing his enforced move from flanker. Owain Williams added the conversion. Once again though Pwllheli were caught cold. Neath stole lineout ball on the left and worked the ball on the blindisde and crashed over to claim their third try. The fine touchline conversion took Neath eleven points clear.
Pwllheli though countered robustly and again pressed to reduce the deficit. It took a neat three-quarter move to again put centre Anwyl in the clear to narrow the gap. Williams kicked the conversion to narrow the score. Neath's riposte came through firstly a neatly taken drop goal and then from a penalty kick. Thankfully Pwllheli's scrum was doing well and had the beating of the Neath eight in the linesout and set scrums.
Now twenty seven points to seventeen behind Pwllheli dug deep. Piling on the pressure they breached the Neath tryline with ten minutes to go and five points adrift. Despite their efforts the Neath line held firm. With the clock rapidly eating up the remaining minutes the Athletic were awarded a scrum six metres from their line. A supert effort from Pwllheli saw Neath's scrum disrupted and the refereee awarded a reset scrum but this time with Pwllheli to put in. Pwllheli won the strike and nudged towards Neath try line. As the scrum stalled Pwllheli's scrum half Mathew Hicks powered through the melee to score to even the match at twenty seven points each.
All depended on Williams' conversion attempt. As the kick sailed through the posts Pwllheli had earned an unlikely win in trying conditions. Credit is due to all concerned and they had fully earned the hospitality that their generous hosts provided.
Pwllheli play their fourth consecutive away match on Saturday as they travel to Denbigh for yet another tricky fixture.
September 22nd 2008 - Dolgellau RFC 12 Pwllheli RFC 38
Conditions were perfect for a good game of rugby as Pwllheli kicked off on the Marian. Clearly having a weight advantage up front the young Lleyn side opened strongly. Their set pieces worked well and the recycling of loose ball was effective.
Yet again they were unable to turn pressure into points. Openings were created only for passes to go astray or overlaps ignored. Though credit must be given to the tenacity of Dogellau's defending Pwllheli still need to look at how better to capitalise on their myriad opportunities.
As the half wore on Dolgellau came more into the match. They were given a penalty chance after twenty five minutes and their prolific goal kicker, fly half Tom Roberts, slotted the kick. The visitors upped their efforts and were rewarded with a captain’s try by Geraint Parry. Owain Williams' neat conversion took Pwllheli to a seven to three advantage.
Dolgellau's resilience kept them in the match and another Roberts penalty, the last kick of the half saw them edge to within one point of Pwllheli at the break.
The second period saw Pwllheli having to defend some strong Dolgellau surges. Thankfully their attacks were rather one dimensional as they over relied on the boot of fly half Roberts. Pwllheli countered from deep and an unconverted Ifan Roberts put them twelve six up before that man Roberts notched his third penalty. Pwllheli's third try from number eight Huw Williams was not enough to kill off Dolgellau as Roberts' fourth penatly kick pullled the hosts back to a seventeen twelve deficit.
As time passed Pwllheli's rhythm improved and the last quarter was all Pwllheli. Three further tries - all converted by Owain Williams came from quality possession and more accurate execution. Gareth Wright scored a brace and centre Dylan Morris got a well deserved try.
While the bonus point away win was satisfying it came at a cost. Captain Parry suffered a knee injury which will keep him out for some weeks. Scrum half Mathew Hicks suffered a nasty head cut whilst his replacement scrum half leaves for a twelve month work contract in Australia. With several players still on the physio table the team will be down to bare bones for their visit to Neath Athletic on Saturday in the first round of the Swalec Cup.
Read report from the Daily Post
September 15th 2008 - Llanidloes RFC 12 Pwllheli RFC 21
Pwllheli travelled to Mid Wales with a much changed side. In perfect rugby conditions they expected and got a hard match from a bulky and committed Llanidloes side.
Pwllheli dominated possession and territory for the opening fifteen minutes but could not break the home defence. Llanidloes gradually built up momentum and took play to the Pwllheli half mainly through the kicking of their fly half Dan Short. Pwllheli's defence held and as they regained their composure the opportunities came. Twenty five minutes into the game Pwllheli recycled the ball kickly to put centre Euros Thomas into space. He cut through the cover to score under the posts. Owain Williams added the conversion.
As expected Llanidloes came back strongly.This was a game they thought they could win and they played with passion before the home crowd. As it was Pwllheli scored next through a vituoso solo try from Pwllheli's left wing, Ifan Roberts. Receiving the ball in his own half he beat his opposite wing for pace, stepped inside the covering centre and wrong footed the fullback to score under the posts. The conversion by Williams gave Pwllheli some breathing space as they took the fourteen to nil lead into half time.
Pwllheli started the second half as they finished the first. They took the game to their hosts. Fifteen minutes in concerted pressure had its reward. Going through several phases a surge by prop Colin Jones took the ball deep into the Llanidloes twenty two. Quick possession to flanker Huw Williams who used his bulk and pace to crash over. The Owain Williams conversion put Pwllheli twenty one points to nil in the lead.
Llanidloes regrouped and took advantage of a Pwllheli sin binning to cut the deficit after twenty five minutes. Winning clean ruck ball they moved the ball left. As the Pwllheli line moved up a deft chip by centre Huw Owen and his speedy chase saw him score a well deserved try. Though Llanidloes kept up their momentum it was not until the very last move of the game that fly half Dan Short scored a neat sniping try. The whistle went immediately after the successful conversion.
Pwllheli will be pleased with the four points but the overall assessment must still bework in progress. There are clear signs that the squad is gelling well and they are fortunate that they will have options available prior to selecting the team who will face Dolgellau away next Saturday.
September 8th 2008 -
Pwllheli RFC 6 Caernarfon RFC 15.
It was a testament to the fine condition of the Pwllheli pitch and it’s natural drainage that this match went on at all given the amount of rain over the past days. The pitch was in perfect condition, although the rain and strong winds continued throughout.
Pwllheli started well. Their set pieces were very steady and they had the edge in the early scrums. Big hits were the norm from both teams as the sides probed for weaknesses.
Pwllheli shaded the early exchanges but it was Caernarfon who went ahead with an early Kelfyn Morris penalty. Pwllheli created two huge overlaps but both were squandered by poor decision making. With Caernarfon regularly making ground through the effective use of the boot and the strong wind at their backs, Pwllheli were happy to see the clock run down towards the half time interval.
Given the equality of possession it was perhaps inevitable that the next score should come from an error and this came from the home team. Pwllheli were awarded a penalty in their own twenty two but inexplicably decided to run the ball.
Caernarfon gleefully isolated the Pwllheli ball carrier, turned over possession and bulky second row Chris Wynne touched down to score. Pwllheli then needed to regroup but once again gifted the opposition possession following a correct interpretation of the new laws by the very effective referee David Williams. Caernarfon sniped on the blindside and wing Chris Padgett crashed over to score. Caernarfon's flyhalf slotted an excellent touchline conversion.
Pwllheli's riposte was effective and with the last kick of the fiirst half Pwllheli's fullback Owain Williams slotted a well taken penalty to cut the half time defecit to Pwllheli 3 Caernarfon 15.
The second period saw Pwllheli having some powerful periods of play. Their use of the wind was less effective than Caernarfon but they did create several scoring chances. Two relatively kickable penalty attempts drifted wide before Pwllheli doubled their score with a second Owain Williams kick.
Caernarfon were always threatening on their break but both backlines cancelled each other out. Euros Thomas was the pick of the Pwllheli backs with some stirring runs, but all played their part in a solid defensive display.
The match ended with both sides having no more clear cut scoring chances and no further additions to the scoring.
Despite this defeat Pwllheli will have taken a great deal from the match.They will have identified areas where more work needs to be done and they will need further consultation with referees regarding the new laws. Caernarfon are currrent champions and they are clearly a powerful well coached outfit. Pwllheli can take solace that they matched them for most of the eighty minutes and finished the game strongly. They also have the huge advantage with some key players becoming available soon as well as others who will vastly improve their contribution with match fitness.