Gogs aim to hit back
SUNDAY football on an organised league basis locally will not happen in the new season that has just started, according to the former chairman of the now defunct North Gwynedd and Anglesey Sunday League.
Elfed O Jones of Moelfre, who was involved in the league’s origins about 35 years ago, had spearheaded the recent attempt to revive the competition but has now conceded those hopes have foundered.
“We applied to the North Wales Coast FA to release funds deposited when the league ceased to operate at the end of the 2015/16 season and for a grant but our requests were rejected,” he said.
“Without that funding, we were unable to set up the league and, in any case, there are health reasons I have to consider.”
Mr Jones reported that enthusiasts for the Sunday League’s revival concept had arranged three meetings – in February, May and most recently in July – “but those present have now accepted my view that the situation is hopeless”.
Coast FA general secretary Alun Foulkes stated at the time of the approach from the Sunday League hopefuls that his body would release the funds deposited when the competition was up and running, with a proper constitution in place.
At its peak, in the 1990s, the local Sunday League boasted up to 40 teams, spread across four divisions, with three cups as well, but the roll call dwindled and, at the end, just half-a-dozen teams remained, prompting its collapse.
Meanwhile, some of the surviving teams have switched to Saturday action in the Anglesey League and others have moved to join Sunday Leagues along the coast.
RGC will look to wipe out the disappointment of an opening day defeat when they host Llanelli in the Premiership West at Parc Eirias this Saturday (2.30pm).
The WRU National Cup holders began the campaign in miserable fashion last weekend with a 31-10 defeat at Llandovery.
RGC put the first points on the board with a Jacob Botica penalty after three minutes and looked lively in attack for a spell, but when the Drovers got into the game the travellers struggled to contain them.
The boot of Jack Maynard got Llandovery’s first score with a penalty.
It was a tale of missed tackles, slow defence for RGC and many linebreaks for the Drovers. When the Gogs did get the ball they gave it back soon after with some poor decisions. Maynard hit the post with another penalty, but if that was a let-off for RGC they were soon tested again.
The Llandovery pack put the squeeze on RGC and after a couple of driving mauls they were given a converted penalty try. To make things worse the visitors’ Tiaan Loots was shown a yellow card.
RGC were not helping themselves with some in-game choices, and home try number two came after the Drovers collected a Dion Jones high kick and the pitch opened up for Lee Rees to touch down. Maynard added the extras.
As the half came to a close RGC were unlucky with the break of the ball after a good Loots tackle ended up with a knock-on, when it looked like he could have collected for a breakaway try.
In added time another penalty try went to the hosts and the Maynard conversion made it 24-3.
As expected RGC came out from the restart fired up, and they did more in attack in the opening five minutes than in the whole of the first half. With the ball spun wide Alex Taylor went over for the try, Botica converting.
Evan Yardley made a couple of breaks to give the travelling support something to shout about, and for a period RGC looked good to get back into the match.
They were creating chances with Harri Evans, Tom Hughes and Aron Evans all making some impact with ball in hand. But opportunities were not taken, with a few miss-passes and wrong options at key times.
The scrum was starting to do some damage and number nine Efan Jones was held up on the line. The momentum was beginning to edge towards RGC.
Llandovery were then reduced to 14 men after a scuffle and Mathew Moore was red-carded for a head-butt.
However, RGC continued to give the ball away cheaply and in turn Llandovery were able to clear their lines and ease any pressure.
The next score was always going to be a crucial one, and it was a sucker blow to RGC.
Botica looped a pass to Loots but he could not collect and Aaron Warren took full advantage with a try.