Long game gives Pesda a lift before Cefni clash
BETHESDA travel to Llangefni this Saturday boosted by a cracking 34-8 win on the opening weekend of the 2018/19 Division One North season at home to Bro Ffestiniog.
Pesda dominated the early exchanges but, against the run of play, Bro pounced on a loose ball, centre Aron Humphreys put Rhodri Williams through and he ran 60 metres through several tackles to score out wide.
Bethesda continued to pressurise and put Bro on the back foot. Another penalty against Bro was taken quickly and Gethin Long crossed over for his first try and added the extras.
Long and Huw James exchanged penalties and the sides went into the break with the score at 10-8 to the hosts.
Another Long penalty early in the second period extended the home side’s lead, but Bro were very much still in the match.
Ffestiniog went close through well-worked phase play, but a turnover close to the try-line enabled Pesda to clear.
Bro were then awarded a penalty and kicked for touch. From the lineout, the visitors spread the ball one way, then the other and it was only excellent defensive work from the hosts that kept them out.
The final quarter of the match saw Bro falter slightly and a defensive scrum five was awarded to Bethesda. The ball was passed to Long, who ran upfield before offloading to wing Rhys Jones to score under the posts. Long added the conversion to make it 20-8.
Minutes later, from a lineout, fly-half Gerwyn Thomas scythed his way through Bro’s defence to dot down again, Long improving.
The bonus point try came minutes from full time. Turnover ball was won by Pesda on the halfway line and Long sidestepped his way through some weak tackles to ground and convert the try.