First Team 2010-2011 Season
The first team play in League One North.You can visit the Welsh Rugby Union's website here. Note that there is a time lag before the WRU record match results and details are inputted into their system.Details of our first team games can be seen below.
SEASON 2010-2011
May 7,2011.
Bro Ffestiniog RFC 13 Pwllheli RFC 17
Pwllheli traveled to Bro knowing that they needed something out of the match if they were to retain their Division One status next season.True Colwyn Bay had a tough home match against leaders Caernarfon but thet had pulled one out of the hat against Nant Conwy and retained a slender one point lead over Pwllheli.
Pwllheli had already played and lost to Nant Conwy by twenty four points to twenty two on the Wednesday so match preparation was limited as the players got over Wednesday's bumps and bruises.With several players unavailable through prior commitments the backline was again readjusted and the backs cover on the bench was Euros Thomas who had not played all season through injury.
With a large crowd -including a pleasingly big contingent from the Lleyn-and excellent playing conditions everything was set for Pwllheli's most crucial game for some years.Pwllheli had the ideal start when Bro were penalised for not releasing.Fly half Dylan Llyr's kick was successful.With Llyr controlling his backs and doing his full share of tackling Pwllheli looked threatening in the opening stages.They were duly rewarded when they created a clear overlap for rejuvenated centre Dylan Lloyd Williams to beat the cover to score a try.Llyr's conversion took Pwllheli ten points ahead.As expected Bro came back strongly.Bro have always been a physical side but they now play with a lot more falir and movement.It is a testament to Pwllheli's tackling that Bro were limited in the first half to two penalties one of which was a prodiguous touchline from from Bro's talisman Barry Roberts.Forwards and backs played for each other and big hits abounded.
In the second period Bro had the slope and in the opening stages they made it count.They pummelled the Pwllheli line and it was inevitable that a breach would come.It was Roberts again who used his pace and power to bludgeon his way to score under the Pwllheli posts.The formality of a conversion took Bro into the lead for the first time in the match.With regular bulletins coming from a close match in Colwyn Bay Pwllheli realised that they were likely to need to win to stay up.
With the impressive Dylan Llyr having to go off with injury Elgan Rowlands was moved to ten with Euros Thomas coming on at centre.Though Bro had the possession and the power Pwllheli again came back into the game.It was fitting that Pwllheli's youngest players should pull their team back from the brink.After a concerted period of attack Pwlllheli's rinht wing Deio Brunelli wriggled his way over at close range to score the clinching try.Scrum half Butterworth's wide out conversion was accurate and with minutes to go Pwllheli were seventeen to thirteen ahead.Despite Bro's efforts Pwllheli held out to claim the crucial four winning points.
The relief of all invoved at the club was transparent when details of Caernarfon's win over Colwyn Bay became known.Coach Richard Hughes was a proud man as his efforts over the past two months were acknowledged to be the key to Pwllheli's recovery.
To cap the weekend Pwllheli Under 9s and the Under 12s won their respective Eryri Cups for the club.
Scorers-David Lloyd Williams - Try.
Deio Brunelli-Try.
Dylan Llyr-Penalty.
Nick Butterworth-Penalty.
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May 4,2011.
Nant Conwy RFC 24 Pwllheli RFC 22
Scorers-Dylan Llyr -Try.
David Lloyd Williams-2 Tries.
Gethin Roberts -Penalty.
Dylan Llyr-2 Conversions.
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April 23,2011.
Bethesda RFC 27 Pwllheli RFC 17
Pwllheli took the field with their captain Alwyn Trenholme as their oldest player a twenty five years of age.With Bethesda playing their last game of the season the home side were determined to hang on to their second place in the league.
The match was hard but fairly fought throughout and with the referee having a good match the Lleyn side had no complaints as top the result.The visitors started really well .Winger Mike Hughes scored Pwllheli's try of the season when he challenged two Bethesda players to a high ball in Pwllheli's twenty two.Winning the ball superbly in the air he outpaced the covering defence to score under Bethesda's posts.With Gethin Roberts addeding the conversion Pwllheli had the perfect start.The home side started to turn the screw but for over thirty minutes Pwllheli's defence held.Bethesda concentrated their attacks on the left wing and their perseverence eventually paid dividends as Pwllheli's tackling fell off.They scored their first try after thirty two minutes and added a further two unconverted tries by the third minute of injury time to take a fifteen to seven half time lead.
The second half saw Pwllheli with the breeze at their backs and they started brightly.The backline looked dangerous whenever they got the ball and so it was against the run of play ,and more poor Pwllheli's tackling,that Bethesda scored their fourth try after fifty four minutes.Pwllheli rallied and had a strong ten minutes.They clawed back a try when second row Owain Williams crashed over from the lineout.Roberts's wide out conversion added the two points.Five minutes later it was Roberts again with a fifty metre penalty which cut the defecit to only five points.Sadly it was Pwllheli's Achiles heel which let them down as Bethesda took full advantage of weak tackling to score their fifth try to seal the match in the seventy eighth minute.As it was Pwllheli spurned a further two penalty chances as they decided to run the ball rather than potentially settle for a losing bonus point which the penalty would have given them.
Mike Hughes -Try
Owain Thonas -Try
Gethin Roberts-2 Conversions + 1 Penalty.
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April 16,2011
Pwllheli RFC 10 Mold RFC 9
Conditions were ideal for rugby at Bodegroes on Saturday for Pwllheli's last home league match of the season.The pitch surface was firm and only a slight breeze to affect play.Visitors Mold were flying high in fourth place while Pwllheli were propping up the league.
The visitors had the ideal start.After only two minutes Pwllheli were caught offside and Mold's fly half Steven Quinten slotted an excellent long distance kick.Pwllheli countered vigourously.They created several try scoring opportunities but as with Llangefni the previous week they were unable to capitalise on their chances.Such was their dominance that it took Mold a full twenty minutes to get the ball into Pwllheli's half.However Mold's well organised and committed defence held Pwllheli at bay. Totally against the run of play Mold's foray into Pwllheli's half saw them win their second penalty and the trusty boot of Steve Quinten saw them take a six to nil lead.After thirty three minutes Mold capitalised on a Pwllheli error to break through the Pwllheli cover.It was a superb effort by Pwllheli's wing Mike Hughes that prevented a definite score.
Pwllheli then threw everything but the kitchen sink at the visitors but a combination of solid defence,poor finishing and decision making saw Pwllheli's frustration grow.On forty minutes Pwllheli won loose ball thirty metres out.They recycled quickly and scrum half Butterworth's pass allowed burly centre Arwel Roberts to take the ball on the crash.He held his balance well as three would be tacklers bounced off his powerful run for him to score under the posts.His brother Gethin ensured that the conversion was a formality.For once the clock favoured Pwllheli and the half time whistle saw Pwllheli with a slender but wholly deserved lead.
The second period was more evenly balanced as Mold chased the game.They have some huge and talented backs and it took some stout tackling by the young Pwllheli backline to keep them out. Twenty minutes in Mold's Quinten slotted his third penalty to give them a nine to seven lead.Pwllheli sense of deja vu increased as the minutes inexorably passed by.Pwllheli were more measured with Dylan Llyr at fly half and with two minuted to go he ensured that Pwllheli took a pot at goal when they were rightly awarded a penalty for Mold killing the ball.Dylan Llyr calmly converted the chance and Pwllheli's loyal support savoured a rare Pwllheli win as the whistle went two minutes later.
The Pwllheli team played well as an unit and credit to coach Richard Hughes for his work.Albeit very late in the season Pwllheli are making progress and some players-wing Mike Hughes in particular-are beginning to fulfill their undoubted potential.
The four points takes Pwllheli off the bottom and with three games to go for both Pwllheli and Colwyn Bay Pwllheli have eighteen points to Colwyn Bay's sixteen.Both clubs have a difficult run .Pwllheli play the first of these matches away to second placed Bethesda on Saturday.Bethesda will start as favourites but Pwllheli have all to play for.
The weekend went well across the board for Pwllheli.The Youths won away at Newtown to maintain their bid for league honours .The Under Nines had a very impressive win in the Llaneli Scarlets tournament and the under fourteens beat powerful Nuneaton in a quality match on Friday night.Our Under 12s also did really well reaching the semi final stage at teh Lanelli tournament.
Take a look at photos of the game here
Scorers-Arwel Roberts -Try.
Gethin Roberts-Conversion.
Dylan Llyr-Penalty.
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April 9,2011.
Llangefni RFC 17 Pwllheli RFC 12
Pwllheli needed something from this game if they are
going to salvage their Division status for next season.Conditions
were excellent for the fixture and despite more changes
in
the team Pwllheli had prepared well.
The opening salvos all came from Pwllheli .They breached
the home defence three times in the opening quarter but
only had a solitary try from left wing Deio Brunelli to
show for
their dominance.Knowing they could not compete in the set
against thier heavier opponents they used their solid midfield
to punch holes before releasing thier rampaging backrow.With
flanker Dafydd Anwyl regularly beating the first line of
defence it was only Pwllheli errors and uncertain judgement
which kept Llangefni in touch.Two penalties on twenty seven
and thirty four minutes gave Llangefni an unexpected lead
before Pwllheli struck again just on half time.Once again
the Llangefni line was breached and Pwllheli's fullback
Emyr Jones was on hand to finish off an excellent display
of handling.Scrum
half Nicholas Butterworth's wide out conversion took Pwllheli
into the half time break with a deserved twelve to six
lead.
With the wind at their backs Pwllheli now needed to play
the game in Llangefni's half.This is not what happened
.From the kick off they spurned four opportunities to clear
their
lines but persevered in trying to run the ball out of defence.Almost
inevitably they transgressed and Llangefni were awarded
a simple penalty to cut the defecit.The self inflicted
wounds
continued and with the restart not going the required ten
yards the initiative transferred to the home side.They
got their rolling maul working and bludgeoned Pwllheli
with their
close quarter rugby.The scores were levelled on fifty five
minutes with a fourth Llangefni penalty.It was again their
pack which created the space for their sole try of the
game on sixty four minutes.Their pack drove towards Pwllheli's
posts following a Pwlllheli knock on.As Pwllheli were sucked
into the maul Llangefni threw the ball out left where there
was space to score wide out.
Pwllheli had the time to retrieve matters and to their
credit they worked hard to swing match fortunes their way.They
had
two opportunities to draw level but badly timed passes
meant that the opportunities were lost. Now ensconced in
Llangefni'r
half Pwllheli lost their captain while Pwllheli were winning
an attacking ruck.Still Pwllheli believed they could win
the match. In the closing minutes desperate defending by
Llangefni resulted in two of their forwards being yellow
carded for killing the ball.In the last move of the contest
Pwllheli decided against the scrum and they knocked on
from the resulting tap penalty move.
This was a game Pwllheli could and perhaps should have
won.Nonetheless Llangefni took their chances while Pwllheli
did not and in
that sense they deserved their four winning points.A losing
bonus point was little solace to the Lleyn team who gave
their all.With Colwyn Bay being trounced by Nant Conwy
Pwllheli must look to the home fixture against Mold on
Saturday to
seek that coveted win.
APRIL 2,2011
Pwllheli RFC 16 Bethesda RFC 26
Despite the overnight downpour conditions were good for rugby at Bodegroes on Saturday.The depleted home crowd were well aware of the importance of the fixture for the home side.They needed to win their penultimate home match to improve their chances of staving off relegation.Bethesda in contrast are high flying sitting proudly in second place.
Pwllheli could not have hoped for a better start.From the kick off they held on to the ball and pressured the visitors into conceding an early penalty which full back Gethin Roberts duly converted.As the match went on Bethesda brought thier heavyweight pack into play and Pwllheli were finding it difficult to hold their bulkier opponents in both the scrums and in the driving mauls.After pressing for some minutes they conceded a penalty try on fourteen minutes after yielding a series of pnalties.The conversion was a formality.
When Pwllheli had the ball they looked a competent side but though they made inroads into Bethsda territory they could not breach the defence.Bethesda used the wind well to pin Pwllheli back and from a close quarter line out they powered over to score their second try.The conversion was a well struck kick from wide out.
Pwllheli made changes in both personnel and style after
the break.With Owain Williams at fly half they played
at a quicker
tempo and this paid dividends.Five minutes into the second
period Willimas slid thropugh Bethsda's cover before
delivering a try scoring pass to left wing Tomos Henri.Pwllheli
were
doing well and their stalwart supporters were boosted when
a Bethsda player was yellow carded for upending a Pwllheli
player in the air.Within a minute Pwllheli had taken
full advantage as number eight Huw Williams crashed over
to
score.The
conversion attempt by Roberts hit the post.Pwllheli pressed
but it was Bethesda who scored next with a long distance
try.On seventy seven minutes full back Roberts cut the
defecit to nineteen to sixteen with a long distance penalty.
Pwllheli were still very much in the match and surely their reward was to be a losing bonus point.However on five minutes into injury time a Pwllheli player was red carded for allegedly gouging.Though the player vehemently disputed the allegation the player had to leave the field.Given Pwllheli's recent history the inevitable happened.A scrum was awarded against Pwllheli on the ninetieth minute of the game in an incorrect call for a knock on.Directly from the scrum Bethesda took advantage of a missed tackle to score under the posts.
Bethesda
were worthy winners but Pwllheli will rue another opportunity
lost.With Colwyn Bay picking up
two losing
bonus points Pwllheli are now three points adrift
at the bottom
of the league and with only five matches left they
need that coveted win.
They meet recent opponents Llangefni in an away fixture
on Saturday.
Take a look at photos of the game here
MARCH 26,2011.
Ruthin RFC 21 Pwllheli RFC 20
Pwllheli travelled to Clwyd with a much changed side knowing that in the history of the club they had only once come away with a win.Conditions were ideal for running rugby but the hard ground did not suit the heavier forwards.
The young Pwllheli side took the match to Ruthin and deservedly took the lead with a try by wing Mike Hughes.Stand in goal kicker Nick Butterworth narrowly missed the conversion.It was the pacy Hughes again after twenty seven minutes as he carshed over for a second well worked try.Butterworth added the two points to put Pwllheli twelve points up.The Lleyn side conceded a penalty right on half time to cut thier defecit.
The second half was marred by three nasty injuries .All were to forwards and two Pwllheli players came off with damaged knees.It was Ruthin who scored next with another penalty on sixty one minutes.Again Pwllheli responded and centre Deio Brunelli's try on seventy minutes took Pwllheli seventeen to ten ahead.The home side rallied and they chipped away on Pwllheli's lead with a further two p[emalties on seventy two minutes and on eighty minutes.A full eight minutes into injury time Pwllheli's hopes were boosted by a Butterworth penalty.Ruthin again came back strongly and were awarded and kicked a penalty in the twelfth minute of injury time.The final whistle went moments later.
Pwllheli were devastated with the result having been the better side for much of the match.The pack had gone well both in the linesout and the loose and the set scrum had also held its' own.There were no complaints as to the length of injury time given the stoppages and players and coaches alike praised the referee for the way he had handled the match.
They
now have another tricky home fixture with high flying Bethesda
being the visitors to Bodegroes on
Saturday.Pwllheli
know what is required and hopefully this young side
and the new coaching team will get the support they
deserve.
MARCH 19,2011.
Pwllheli RFC 0 Llangefni RFC 12
This was a huge game for both clubs
as they desperately tried to work themselves out of the relegation
mire.Pitch conditions were excellent with only a strong breeze
to impact in any way on the tussle.
It was clear from the outset that Pwllheli were going to
struggle with the weight advanatge of the jumbo Llangefni
pack.With the game littered with innumerable scrums the visitors
made this advantage pay.This was not a match for the rugby
purist but both teams were fully committted.Pwllheli's defence
was much improved and their tackle count was a testament
to their endeavour.Despite their efforts the Pwllheli backs
invariably took the ball on the back foot and they were unable
to impact on the game.
Llangefni's first score was a penalty after thirty four minutes.Pwllheli
had two penalty opportunities themselves but both missed
although one attempt hit the post.Llangefni doubled the score
with a second penalty five minutes into first half injury
time.
With Pwllheli conceding a series of penalties for not releasing
it inevitable that a yellow card was to come .The subsequent
penalty took the visitors nine points up.To their credit
Pwllheli then held fast during the remaining sin bin period
and brought on their substitutes to try to swing the match.Though
the home side tried hard Llangefni effectively sealed the
win with a fourth successful penalty after sixty eight minutes.Pwllheli
never gave up but this dour contest petered out with no further
scoring.
Pwllheli had only one clear cut try scoring opportunity which
was denied them when the ball was incorrectly adjudged to
have been knocked on.This crucially occured when Pwllheli
were only six points to nil down and it is on such tight
margins that close contests such as this are determined.Llangefni
came close several times but their backline lacked a cutting
edge and the home defence was better organised than of late.
Llangenfi clearly deserved their win and their four points
eases them up towards league safety.Pwllheli in contrast
have a mountain to climb but with team morale still high
anything is possible.Coaches Richard Hughes and Lee Oliver
realise the task they face but remain upbeat as to the next
six league matches.
Pwllheli travel away to Ruthin this weekend in another tough
match.
MARCH 5,2011.
Caernarfon RFC 43 Pwllheli RFC 3.
Recent results in this fixture have all gone Caernarfon's
way and by a substantial margin.Saturday's fixture saw
Caernarfon having the best of starts with thier number
eight crossing the line after only four minutes The dependable
Kelvin Morris almost inevitably added the conversion.Pwllheli's
riposte after seven minutes with a penalty was almst immediatley
cancelled out by another Morris kick.Full back Lance Owen
enhanced the Caernarfon scoreline on thirteen minutes
and the Morris conversion took them two scores clear.
Pwllheli then took the game to the hosts and were camped
on the Caernarfon line for over ten minutes.Caernarfon's
defence held firm albeit after a succession of penalties
against them.Pwllheli were the victim of yet another yellow
card which has scourged them this season.Talisman Geraint
Parry was carded in frustration as to they endeavoured
to breach the well organised Caernarfon cover.Within
a minute
Caernarfon took full advantage with a second score from
fullback Lance Owen.Morris' conversion took the game
beyond Pwllheli
.
With Pwllheli having to change their coaching team yet
again the coaches decided that they needed to see what
their bench
could do .Caernarfon though were thoroughly professional
in their approach and took full advantage of the changes
in Pwllheli's ranks.They scored two more tries by wing
Barry Jones and replacement scrum half Gareth Patchett
while Pwllheli
yielded yet another yellow card.Following an injury and
their bench all on then field they finished the match
with thirteen
men.
Pwllheli were out to the sword by an unforgiving Caernarfon
display.To the players credit they did not give up
and acknowledged that at this level if you do not
put in
your first up tackle
you will be punished.The new coaching team now have
two weeks to turn matters round for a must win match
against
Llangefni
at Bodegroes on Saturday March 19.Kick off 2.30 prior
to the France v Wales match.
Pwllheli's seconds continue to fly the flag and they
beat a strong Dolgellau side by twenty points to eight.Pwllheli's
Youths ,on the back of their North Wales Cup win against
Mold ,were again on the winning trail as they defeated
Flint Youths by thirty seven points to seventeen.
FEBRUARY 19, 2011
Pwllheli RFC 18 Colwyn Bay 16.
This was a game both sides desperatley needed to win to give themselves some breathing space in the relegation dogfight. Conditions were good at Bodegroes although the heavy overnight rain meant the surface was greasier than of late.
Pwllheli started strongly and took the game to the visitors. Surge after surge from the home side brought the best out of the Colwyn Bay defence. Pwllheli then rued a conceded penalty which allowed Colwyn Bay to clear their lines. Pwllheli once again forced the pace but perhaps against the run of play Colwyn Bay went ahead with an eleventh minute penalty. Pwllheli took three minutes to draw level with a long distance penalty from Pwllheli right wing Gethin Roberts.
Pwllheli's fast back row were quicker to the ball and with Tom Parry and Dafydd Anwyl both turning in storming performances the loose ball possession was all Pwllheli. With Pwllheli beginning to dominate the game they were rocked with a yellow card to prop Aaron Owen. Despite this they managed to take the lead for the first time with another Roberts penalty. Colwyn Bay took advantage of Pwllheli's card to score a well taken thirty second minute try. The conversion took them into an unlikely ten to six lead. Pwllheli had the opportunity to reduce the deficit but a fortieth minute penalty strike drifted agonisingly wide.
Pwllheli had a whirlwind start to the second period. They pressed the visitors line and after conceding three consecutive penalties Colwyn Bay's number four was finally issued with a yellow card. Again Pwllheli attacked. The ball was interpassed quickly to put flanker Dafydd Anwyl in the clear. With the line clear and no Colwyn Bay defence in front of him he was illegally high tackled from behind. Though the referee awarded a penalty there was a clear case for both a penalty try and a yellow card. Pwllheli opted for the scrum. They drove the ball over Colwyn Bay's line but their inexperienced back row failed to touch down. Worse was to come from Pwllheli. Prop Owen was again carded and his red card after forty eight minutes meant that Pwllheli were to be a man short for the rest of the match.
Once again Colwyn Bay took advantage and went thirteen to six ahead with a penalty. Surprisngly it was the visitors who were tiring and Pwllheli's riposte was vintage Pwllheli. The ball was moved right and slick interpassing gave full back Owain Williams some space.
His balance and pace were too much for the defence and he scored a fine try wide out.Now it was Bay's time to respond and they did so with some aplomb. They could have scored wide out on the left but fluffed the opportunity but on seventy four minutes they increased their lead with a well struck penalty. Pwllheli held their nerve. They took the ball deep into the visitors twenty two. They recycled the ball three times before flanker Tom Parry was released to score the match winning try in the eighty second minute of the game.
This win leaves Pwllheli with much to do but at least gives them a lifeline. Players and coaches know what they need to do and with long term injured players likely to be available soon the mood in the camp is a little more buoyant.
It was a good day all round for Pwllheli.Their Seconds won a hard fought match by fifteen to fourteen at much improved Porthmadog and the Youths romped to a fifty to five win against Welshpool.
JANUARY 22,2010.
PWLLHELI RFC 14 LLANDUDNO RFC 18.
This
was a game Pwllheli had to target if they were to improve
their chances of climbing up the League Table.They fielded
the best team available on the day which invariably meant
that some players were forced to play out of position.Conditions
were near perfect for the match with a good surface and
only a slight breeze.
The home side started strongly.They took advantage of early indiscipline by Llandudno but missed a penalty opportunity after fifteen minutes.On twenty one minutes Pwllheli finally did take advanatge of Llandudno's back talking to the referee.Prop Aaron Owen reacted quickly to the withdrawing Llandudno players to tap and go.His bulk and place saw him crash over near the posts.Geithin Roberts' conversion took Pwllheli seven to nil up.
Llandudno
then used their jumbo pack to launch their response and
they dominated the rest of the half.Llandudno pummelled
Pwllheli's defence but the home side held.The decisive
moment
of the half came when the referee decided to yellow card
Pwllheli's captain and prop for slowing down the ball.Two
minutes later Llandudno capitalised on the card and scored
wide out following a powerful forward drive.The conversion
missed so Pwllheli held on to thier slender lead going
in to the second half.
Early in the second period Pwllheli made light of Llandudno's
one man advantage and should have gone further ahead
on forty four minutes but the penalty drifted agonisingly
wide.Pwllheli
maintained their pressure on on forty minutes centre
Deio Brunelli scored Pwllheli's second try.With the successful
conversion by Roberts Pwllheli went fourteen points to
six
ahead.
The
game was efectively lost when Pwllheli had a player rightly
carded for playing a player without the ball.Llandudno
scored
immediately with Pwllheli down to thirteen men.Four
minutes
later they scored a fine long distance try after breaching
weak Pwllheli defending.Both sides lost a player through
a yellow card on eighty minutes and the coup de grace
came with a Llandudno penalty on eighty two minutes.
Llandudno deserved their win but Pwllheli were disappointed
to the seeming lack of consistency in the carding system
as the penalty count was in Pwllheli's favour but the
cards went against the home side by three to one.Pwllheli
are not
a dirty or physical side and yet seem to be the recipients
of some harsh decisions.It may simply be a case of
if you are at the bottom the going is tough.
Pwllheli's seconds won a close encounter against a
strong Bala side by nineteen points to seventeen.
Pwllheli
now face a must win match at Bodegroes on Saturday against
fast improving Llangefni .
JANUARY 8,2010.
SWALEC PLATE.
PWLLHELI RFC 18 CAERNARFON RFC 47.
This
was Pwllheli's first match since mid November and Caernarfon's
first since October.It was therefore to the credit of both
sides that the lengthy lay off did not show.It was a good
match to watch with both sides trying to play some
decent rugby.
Conditions were near perfect at Bodegroes and a sizeable partisan crowd gave voiceiferous support to both sides.
Caernarfon had the ideal start. Turning over loose ball in their own half the took the ball on the narrow side and created a two to one overlap to score a well taken try under the posts. Pwllheli reacted posiitively and had the better of the next thirty minutes. Their scrum in particular was dominant although the lineout creaked at times.
The home side cut the defecit with a superbly taken try by debutante scrum half Nick Butterworth. Going to pass left he saw his way blocked.Seeing a gap he cut through the would be defenders to score from fifty metres out. Gethin Roberts added the conversion. Twelve minutes in it was Pwllheli's turn to make effective use of the blindside. Fly half Martin took the ball right and a seies of short passes gave right wing Roberts a yard of space. That was all he needed as he sped in at the corner.
The sides exchanged penalties on seventeen and twenty one minutes to take Pwllheli to a fifteen to ten lead. Caernarfon reduced the arrears with another penalty before they took advantage of a Pwllheli error on the stroke of half time to score a breakaway try. The half time score of fifteen twenty did not reflect the first forty minutes.
Pwllheli lost talisman Geraint Parry through injury after only three minutes of the second period and Pwllheli were to miss both his forceful drives and his work in defence. Caernarfon's better cohesion and team organisation began to tell. They increased their lead to twenty seven points with an converted try after fifty three minutes and showed their focus by going for goal with another successful penalty on sixty minutes. Pwllheli added their own penalty from Butterworth on sixty five minutes and had two try scoring chances which went begging.
The last fifteen minutes were all Caernrfon and they scored tries after sixty nine minutes and two at the death on seventy eight and eighty minutes.
Caernarfon will be delighted with the impressive scoreline and they thoroughly deserved their victory. Pwllheli will be pleased to have tested out new half back and backrow permutations. It was good to see fullback David Lloyd Williams back after four months and their young front row had the better of the opposition throughout. The coaching team now need to make the best of this foundation as they prepare to fight for League survival. It does not get any easier with Nant Conwy being the away opposition at the weekend.
Pwllheli Seconds continue to fly high in the Gwynedd League. They beat a strong Bethesda side by thirty points to five with a brace of tries from Sam Parry Jones and one each from Sion Jones, Dylan Morris Williams and Mike Roberts. Gwilym Parry Jones added a penalty and a conversion.
Squad and scorers-
ALWYN TRENHOLME (CAPTAIN)-KEVIN MORRIS-AARON OWEN-GERAINT PARRY-IFAN ROBERTS-CHRIS STUDT-HUW WILLIAMS-TOM PARRY-NICK BUTTERWORTH-GERAINT MARTIN-ELGAN ROWLANDS-DEIO BRUNELLI-GETHIN ROBERTS-TOMOS HENRI WILLIAMS-DAVID LLOYD WILLIAMS.
SUBS-ALAN ROBERTS-TUDUR GRIFFITHS-CARL STUDT-MIKE HUGHES.
Scorers-TRY-GETHIN ROBERTS-NICK BUTTERWORTH.
PENALTY-GETHIN ROBERTS-NICK BUTTERWORTH
CONVERSION-GETHIN ROBERTS
NOVEMBER 20,2010
C.O.B.R.A. 27 PWLLHELI RFC 17.
Squad and scorers.
ALWYN TRENHOLME M(CAPTAIN)-KEVIN MORRIS-AARON OWEN-HUW WILLIAMS -CARL STUDT-HARRI PARRI-IFAN ROBERTS-DAFYDD ANWYL-DYLAN LLYR-GARETH HODGSON-ELGAN ROWLANDS-DAFYDD BRUNELLI-GETHIN ROBERTS-BERWYN JONES-TOMOS HENRI.
SUBS-NIC LAKE-AARON HUGHES-OWAIN THOMAS-MIKE WILLIAMS.
Scorers-Try-Dafydd Brunelli-Kevin Morris.
Conversions-Gethin Roberts 2.
Penalty-Gethin Roberts-1.
NOVEMBER 9,2010.
Pwllheli RFC 15 Bala RFC 10.
Squad and scorers.
ALWYN TRENHOLME (CAPTAIN )-KEVIN MORRIS-AARON OWEN-GERAINT PARRY-IFAN ROBERTS-SAM PARRY JONES-HUW WILLIAMS-DAFYDD ANWYL-WILLIAM HUGHES-DYLAN LLYR-ELGAN ROWLANDS -GWILYM PARRY JONES-DEIO BRUNELLI-
MIKE HUGHES -TOMOS HENRI.
EILYDDION- NIC LAKE-BLEDDYN DAVIES-CARL STUDT-AARON HUGHES.
Scorers;Try-Mike Hughes,Kevin Morris.
Penalty-Dylan LLyr.
Conversion-Dylan Llyr.
OCTOBER 30,2010.
Pwllheli RFC 17 Colwyn Bay RFC 0
Though much of the romance has gone out of the Swalec competition since it was regionalised last season this was still an important match for both sides.Both teams are having a poor start to the league and this was an opportunity to play outside the pressured confines of the league season.The pitch was heavy following the recent deluge but otherwise conditions were fine for an open game of rugby. With Bryn Martin and Lee Oliver taking charge for the day the match started brightly.Fly half Gareth Hodgson in his first match for the first fifteen since 2006 proved to be a good link between forwards and backs.Pwllheli decided to keep the ball in play whenever possible and concentrate on providing improved support for the ball carrier.They also benefitted from the defensive session given earlier in the week by Clive Griffiths the North Wales coach.
Pwllheli had the edge in the set pieces throughut the game and this gave an excellent platform for thier half backs.Their ball carrying was far more effective than of late and they started punching holes in the Bay defence from the outset.The visitors put up a stiff resistance and it was not until the twenty second minute that second row Geraint Parry finished off an excellent move wide out.Barely two minutes later Parry was the provider as he gave the scoring pass to right wing Gareth Wright who crashed over way out on the right.Pwllheli kept their foot on the throttle and the try of the match came after thirty minutes.Winning ruck ball in their own half.Pwllheli went through the phases .Centre Elgan Rowalands used his bulk to crash through the cover before popping a delightful one handed off load to fellow centre Gwilyn Parry Jones who scored.Gareth Hodgson added the conversion.The half finished with Pwllheli sitting on a comfortable seventeen to nil lead.
Pwllheli will be pleased with the result.They kept a rare but welcome clean sheet and for once came away without any player injury.Their structure and patterns of play were more evident and Wyn Isaac and his coaching team now need to build on this performance .
Pwllheli's next fixture is a home North Wales Cup match against Bala.The match kicks off at 7.15 on Tuesday November 9 at Bodegroes.The winners play either COBRA or Machynlleth away in the next round.
Squad-ALWYN TRENHOLME (CAPTAIN )- KEVIN MORRIS-AARON OWEN-GERAINT PARRY-CARL STUDT-SAM PARRY JONES-HUW WILLIAMS-HARRI PARRI-WILLIAM HUGHES-GARETH HODGSON-ELGAN ROWLANDS-GWILYM PARRY JONES-GARETH WRIGHT-MIKE HUGHES-TOMOS HENRI WILLIAMS.
SUBS-NIC LAKE-IFAN ROBERTS -ALAN ROBERTS -DEIO BRUNELLI
SCORERS-TRIES-GERAINT PARRY-GWILYM PARRY JONES-GARETH WRIGHT.
CONVERSION -GARETH HODGSON
Dewi Wyn's photos here
October 23,2010.
Pwllheli RFC 19 Ruthin RFC 39
Despite the heavy rain overnight conditions at Bodegroes were once again ideal for rugby.Pwllheli looked to have a well balanced side with fewer changes in personnel than in previous weeks and they needed a good performance to rebuild their confidence. As it was they made a poor start conceding two easy penalties after only six minutes.Their game plan was disrupted when fly half Owain Williams had to leave the pitch after twelve minutes with a hamstring injury.Ruthin added a third penalty for an innoccuous technical offence to extend their lead.
Worse was to come as second row Geraint Parry was yellow carded for what could only have been a team offence.Ruthin took full advantage of their extra man as they scored a comfortable converted try after thirty three minutes.Pwllheli came back strongly and scored a well taken try by Geithin Roberts as he took the half time score to sixteen to five in Ruthin's favour.
It was all Pwllheli in the opening minutes of the half.As it was Ruthin were awarded ,wrongly,a double penalty for not retiring.They got good field position with a fine line kick.Thier basic threequarter move was going nowhere until Pwllheli inexplicably doglegged their defence by going for an interception.This allowed Ruthin a walk in totally against the run of play.
Ruthin's best player scrum half Wil Davies was binned after forty nine minutes for a late tacke on a Pwllheli player.In their most concerted rugby for weeks they scored two fine tries both of which were converted by Gethin Roberts.Firstly a clever off load by replacement fly half Elgan Rowlands put wing Gareth Wright in under the posts.The second three minutes later came form prop Kevin Morris who was able to outpace the cover to score wide out.
The match had another twist.On full time the two sets of players got involved in a fracas.No fewer than four red cards -two players from each side-were issued in a match that had never been dirty.
Pwllheli are not able to turn patches of quality play into a consistent match performance.Clearly it is a case of work in progress but there will be no changes which over recent years have destablised the club.Coach Wyn Issaac has arranged for Bryn Martin to assist with coaching the backs and Richard Hughes will input his experience with the back row.
Pwllheli host fellow strugglers Colwyn Bay at Bodegroes on Saturday in a Swalec Cup match.Players and coaching staff are relishing the prospect of being able to turn in a match winning performance against an improving Colwyn side.
Squad-AARON OWEN-KEVIN MORRIS-ALWYN TRENHOLME (CAPTAIN)- GERAINT PAARY-OWAIN THOMAS-IFAN ROBERTS-HUW WILLIAMS-TOM PARRY-WILLIAM HUGHES-OWAIN WILLIAMS-ELGAN ROWLANDS-DEIO BRUNELLI-GARETH WRIGHT-MIKE HUGHES-TOMOS HENRI.
SUBSTITUTES-NIC LAKE-BLEDDYN DAVIES-GETHIN ROBERTS-CARL STUDT.
Scorers-TRIES-GETHIN ROBERTS-KEVIN MORRIS-GARETH WRIGHT.
Conversions-GETHIN ROBERTS X 2.
Photos of the game here
Dewi Wyn's photos here
October 16,2010.
Pwllheli RFC 19 Caernarfon RFC 50.
Conditions were ideal for rugby at Bodegroes on Saturday.The playing surfcae was near perfect and in fine weather the players had no wind to contend with.The largest crowd of the season were attracted to the much anticpated local derby.Pwllheli were as usual missing key players but the vistors too had players unavailable.The home side took the opportunity to test new permutations at half back ,second row and in the back row.
Squad and scorers-
ALWYN TRENHOLME (CAPTAIN)-KEVIN MORRIS-NIC LAKE-CARL STUDT-OWAIN THOMAS-HUW WILLIAMS- TOM PARRY-SAM PARRY JONES-WILLIAM HUGHES-ELGAN ROWLANDS-GWILYM PARRY JONES-DEIO BRUNELLI-GARETH WRIGHT-MIKE HUGHES-GETHIN ROBERTS
SUBS-ALAN ROBERTS-BLEDDYN DAVIES-OWAIN WILLIAMS-IFAN ROBERTS.
Scorers-Tries-GARETH WRIGHT-DEIO BRUNELLI-ELGAN ROWLANDS.
Conversions-GETHIN ROBERTS X 2.
Photos of the game here
Photos by Dewi Wyn here
________________________________________________________________
October 2, 2010
Colwyn Bay 14 Pwllheli 3
September 25,2010.
Pwllheli RFC 36 Bro FFestiniog RFC 7
Conditions were ideal for rugby at Bodegroes on Saturday.The pitch was firm and in fine condition and the players only had a slight cross pitch breeze to contend with.
The Lleyn side started the second period well.For the first time this season they made regular linebreaks with full back David Lloyd Williams prominent in Pwllheli's forays.Pwllheli added to their score after only four minutes with a Gethin Roberts penalty.Stubborn Bro defence kept Pwllheli out until the fifty sixth minute when full back Willaims finished off a long range effort with some aplomb.With Roberts adding the conversion Pwllheli made a raft of substitutions all of whom made an impact on the game.As it was second row Dylan Jones scored a consolation try for Bro but it was a case of too little too late.Wing Ian Ellis added the conversion.At the death Pwllheli scored with another long range effort by fly half Elgan Rowlands and the Roberts conversion was the final action of the day.
Photos of the game here
Photos by Dewi Wyn here
Squad and scorers-
ALWYN TRENHOLME-KEVIN MORRIS -NIC LAKE-GERAINT PARRY-CARL STUDT-SAM PARRY JONES-HUW WILLIAMS-CHRIS STUDT-TOMOS HENRI-ELGAN ROWLANDS-GARETH WRIGHT (CAPTAIN)-GWILYM PARRY JONES-GETHIN ROBERS-IFAN ROBERTS-DAVID LLOYD WILLIAMS.
SUBS-BLEDDYN DAVIES-EMYR JONES-ALAN ROBERTS-OWAIN THOMAS
SCORERS-
TRIES-HUW WILLIAMS-CARL STUDT-GETHIN ROBERTS-DAVID LLOYD WILLIAMS-ELGAN ROWLANDS.
PENALTY AND 3 CONVERSIONS BY GETHIN ROBERTS.
September 18,2010.
Llandudno RFC 23 Pwllheli RFC 20.
This was a diifficult game for Pwllheli on a wet day at Llandudno.With yet another changed team with three first team debutants Pwllheli knew that the home side's backs were earning a reputation for putting together some exciting play.To counter that Pwllheli selected experienced half backs and centres but had two talented but rookie wingers.A lot was also expected of Gethin Roberts at full back.On his day he kicks as well as any player in North Wales.
The second half started well for the hosts.Pwllheli's Nic Lake was yellow carded for slowing down the ball.The ensuing penalty brought Llandudno to within a point.They took the lead with their second try ten minutes after and the successful conversion put them eighteen to twelve ahead.
Pwllheli responded and it was inevitable that it was another forwards' try which brought them within a point.On seventy three minutes Pwllheli regained the lead with a Roberts penalty and they seemed well in control.Llandudno were not done done.Capitalising on a knock on from an innocuous twenty two drop out they were awarded a series of three penalties to take them close to the Pwllheli line.The Lleyn side still had the game within their grasp as they were awarded a penalty .Sadly the kick missed touch and back come Llandudno.With full time having been and gone surely there would be no repetiton of last week's result.Pwllheli were awarded a scrum-their strongest aspect of the day-and surely enough they won clean ball.Pwllheli picked up and drove.The ball was again available to be cleared but it was not.Llandudno were rightly awarded a penalty when they blocked would be Llandudno tacklers as they went for a secondary drive.
With nothing to lose Llandudno swung the ball first left then right and with the last move of the game -and in the forty fourth minute of the half -their number eight squeezed over.With the unsuccessful conversion came the final whistle and Llandudno grasped the four points for their win..
A losing bonus point was scant reward for Pwllheli but unlike last week Llandudno deserved the points as they capitalised on poor decision making and execution from the Pwllheli defence. Like Pwllheli Llandudno are a young side but on the day they kept their shape and took their chances when they came.
Squad and Scorers;
GETHIN ROBERTS-DEIO BRUNELLI-GARETH WRIGHT(CAPTAIN)-DAVID LLOYD WILLIAMS-GWIYLYM PARRY JONES-ELGAN ROWALNDS-DAFYDD MYRDDIN-HUW WILLIAMS-CHRIS STUDT-CARL STUDT-SAM PARRY JONES-ALYN TRENHOLME-NIC LAKE.
SUBS-ALAN ROBERTS-DEIO PARRY JONES-DANIEL OWEN-PEREDUR JONES.
SCORERS-TRIES-HUW WILLIAMS(2) NIC LAKE
PENALTY -GEETHIN ROBERTS.COPNVERSION-GETHIN ROBERTS.
More photos of the game here
September 11,2010.
Pwllheli RFC 17 Nant Conwy RFC 18
Pwllheli started this match with only seven players in the starting line up from the nineteen squad members in the opening home match of last season.Hit by injuries and unavailabilities the team had a distinctly different look to recent Pwllheli sides. As it was incoming flanker Sam Jones was Player of the Match and Sion Jones,Alan Roberts,Tom Parry and Gwilym Jones also distingished themselves.At long last Pwllheli's coach Wyn Isaac will have a diificult job in selecting the team and will do so from a position of strength.
The home side started strongly and Nant used every tool in their armoury to hold fast.They were issued a team warning after twenty minutes for slowing down the ball.The pendulum gradually swung Nant's way and they were able to score a try by hooker Eryl Jones and two penalties and a conversion by scrum half Ifan Jones during this period of domination.At one stage Nant looked as if they were going to pull away from Pwllheli but Pwllheli kept in touch through Gethin Roberts' boot as he struck two penalties. Pwllheli were rocked right on half time as centre Elgan Rowlands was given a yellow card as a "team offence" for killing the ball. The decision was correct but in view of what had gone on previously it was also somewhat frustrating.
The young Lleyn side rallied again in the second period.They forced Nant on the defensive and as Nant yielded as series of penalties the large crowd became increasingly agitated as there seemed to be a lack of consistency in the way the match was being officiated.Three penalties were awarded against Nant in a matter of minutes as they persistently killed the ball.Despite the earlier Captain's warning this was the extent of the action taken.As it it was Pwllheli overcame their defecit through a Huw Williams try after earlier having a seemingly clear cut score being denied as the ball was deemed to have been held up.However with Gethin Roberts kicking another two penalties Pwllheli moved ahead to a seventeen to thirteen lead. As full time came and went Pwllheli's lock was rightly carded for a deliberate knock on.Nant pressed but as they extra time went to five,then six ,then seven minutes Pwllheli would surely hold on. Players say the were twice told the game was in "the last play"but the clock continued to tick.It was at fourteen minutes past four that Nant broke through scoring a well worked try through left wingTristan Sion wide on their left.
Nant are a fine side who play to the limit of the rules.They always have faith in their ability to turn game's around at the death and this is what they did on Saturday.
All involved at Pwllheli are very supportive of referees who have a very difficult job.Being able to tell the time however should surely not be so problematic.Fourteen minutes of extra time over the two halves was not a refelction of the reality of this match.Pwllheli lost a match they deserved to win and the adage "we wuz robbed" holds very true for this game.
More photos of the match here
Dewi Wyn's photos here
Squad and scorers;
OWAIN WILLIAMS-GWILYM JONES-GARETH WRIGHT (CAPTAIN)-ELGAN ROWLANDS-GETHIN ROBERTS-DYLAN LLYR -TOMOS HENRI=TOM PARRY-SAM JONES-CHRIS STUDT-HUW WILLIAMS-GERAINT PARRY-NIC LAKE-ALAN ROBERTS-ALWYN TRENHOLME.
SUBS-TUDUR GRIFFITHS-PEREDUR JONES-BLEDDYN DAVIES-SION WYN JONES.
SCORERS-TRY -HUW WILLIAMS -4 X PENALTY -GETHIN ROBERTS.
September 4,2010.
Mold RFC 40 Pwllheli RFC 10
An inexperienced squad represented the club on Saturday and they came off very much second best to a powerful Mold unit.As always Pwllheli rallied in the second period but with five tries already scored against them there was no possibilty of a fightback.Our problems were compounded with a kneee injury to centre Arwel Roberts.
Pwllheli's scorers were Huw Williams with a try and Geithin Roberts with a conversion and a penalty.
Several more senior players will be available for the Nant match on the eleventh but this will be another tough encounter.
Squad and scorers;
OWAIN WILLIAMS-DAVID LLOYD WILLIAMS-ARWEL ROBERTS-ELGAN ROWLANDS-GETHIN ROBERTS-DYLAN LLYR-TOMOS HENRI-BLEDDYN DAVIES-KEVIN MORRIS-ALWYN TRENHOLME-IFAN ROBERTS-HUW WILLIAMS-DILWYN JONES-TOM PARRY-HARRI PARRI (CAPTAIN).
SUBS-TUDUR GRIFFITHS-SION WYN JONES-ALAN ROBERTS-PEREDUR JONES.
SCORERS-TRY-HUW WILLIAMS -PENALTY + CONVERSION BY GETHIN ROBERTS.