Llangefni fall behind after loss to Bala

LLANGEFNI Rugby Club lost ground in their quest for a top-four finish in Division One North when they were narrowly beaten 19-17 at home by Bala last weekend.

This eagerly awaited clash was marred by the muddy, slippery Cae Smyrna pitch after heavy overnight rain. Both sides tried valiantly to play open rugby, but the error count was naturally quite high.

Bala took the lead with an Owain Aled penalty after 10 minutes.

With the breeze at their tails, the Lakesiders probably played too much dry-pitch rugby to really threaten the home try line.

Most of the first half was played between the 22s as both defences held firm. Owain Aled added two away penalties before the interval for a 9-0 score.

The second half started with a Bala missed penalty into the breeze, and the hosts being guilty of too many errors to sustain serious pressure on the opposition.

Another Owain Aled penalty made it 12-0 before Cefni responded with some powerful forward drives which led to their first points via the boot of Rhys Hughes.

Then a superb 60-metre kick by Greg Horsman led to a Bala 22 drop-out, which Hughes fielded.

Cefni kept the ball through countless phases until Will Bown was able to force himself over from close range. Hughes`extras made it 12-10.

When Cefni centre Gethin Jones was guilty of a high tackle, Bala attacked into the home 22. However, a superb home turnover led to play moving back to the away line, which Llangefni pounded for several minutes but came away with nothing.

Then followed a bizarre converted try for Bala following a badlymanaged penalty by Cefni in their own 22.

The islanders hit back when flanker Tom Williams scored the try which Hughes’ boot improved to seal a hard-earned bonus point.

Cefni’s next match is at Mold on March 24.

Arwel Roberts notched 17 points as Llangefni 2nds whipped Bala 2nds 46-0.