Pwllheli eye double after demolition job
PWLLHELI have a third successive Division One North title in their grasp – now they will target the double this Saturday.
The Llyn side will look to add to their silverware when they face Bala in the North Wales Senior Cup Final on Saturday at Parc Eirias, Colwyn Bay. kick-off 3pm.
Needing just to win at Mold last weekend to seal a third title in a row, Pwllheli did it in style, running in 11 tries in a 71-0 demolition job at Chester Road.
Four minutes in Pwllheli were awarded a penalty. They chose to kick for touch. From the ensuing line out they set up a rolling maul.
Scrum half and captain Nick Butterworth sniped on the blind and forced himself over for a try. The excellent touchline conversion was slotted by wing Osian Parry Jones. From the restart both sides tried to play an expansive game but for a short period defences were on top.
However ten minutes in Pwllheli’s back row secured clean quick possession. Pwllheli switched the ball right. Three swift passes saw the ball reach right wing Osian P. Jones an dhe crashed through the would be tackler to touch down. Jones’ conversion gave his side a 14-0 lead.
Mold were still very much in the match and Pwllheli’s defence was tested time and again.
The home side’s downfall was their inability to cope with the sheer pace of some of the Pwllheli’s backs.
This was epitomised on 18 minutes. Mold were on the attack but they lost the ball in a tackle. Pwllheli countered from 60 metres out and centre John Pugh scored his team’s third try.
The conversion attempt missed as did a penalty attempt four minutes later.
The Lleyn side’s bonus point try came after 28 minutes of play. From 40 metres out fly half Kelemete broke the defensive line. He made ground before offloading to the supporting flanker Tom Parry, who scored under the posts. Jones successfully kicked the conversion. Again Mold’s heads did not drop but they did fall off a few tackles. Left wing Robin Hughes Jones took advantage of this just before half time. He fielded a Mold clearing kick close to he left touchline. His pace and power saw him shrug off several would-be tacklers to score and excellent individualist try. Again Osian P. Jones added the kick.
Half time came with Pwllheli leading by 33- 0.
Despite the scoreline line Pwllheli have learned that they cannot sit on their laurels and knew they had to maintain the pace of the game if they were to prevail. Their commitment earned them an early reward. Only three minutes in Pwllheli won a ruck on the right. They went blind and two passes put wing Robin Hughes Jones into space and he beat he cover to touch down. The conversion attempt missed. Pwllheli posed a threat whenever they got the ball. Most attacks were thwarted by solid defending but eight minutes in Pwllheli’s pack released the ball to Butterworth and his strength beat the cover. Osian Parry Jones added the two points. Mold came back with ten minutes of solid attacking rugby. They were close to scoring several times but staunch stubborn Pwllheli defence kept them at bay.
The last 20 minutes of the game was Pwllheli’s. They scored their eighth try as prop Alwyn Trenholme touched down after a powerful driving maul. Jones added the two points. Five minutes later centre John Pugh was put ion the clear to score a long range solo try. Tom Parry added another try which was duly converted by Osian P.Jones.
The conversion took the score to 66-0. Pwllheli’s last score was a hattrick try for wing Robin Hughes Jones. The whistle went shortly after.
This was a quality performance by the Pwllheli side. The pack put in a hard-working shift and the backs took their chances well. It was the pace of the game which gave Pwllheli their crucial win.
Pwllheli’s players ,officials and supporters were jubilant at the final whistle.