On-form Pwll target the early pacesetters
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14
Lock Stock Welsh Alliance (7.30pm)
Reserves Division: Denbigh Town v Porthmadog. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15
JD Welsh Premier League (2.30pm)
Caernarfon Town v Barry Town United. Huws Gray Cup (2.30pm) Porthmadog v Buckley Town.
FAW Trophy round two (2pm)
Amlwch Town v Llanberis, Llandudno Amateurs v Llanrug United, Llanfairpwll v Y Felinheli, Llanuwchllyn v Pwllheli, Nantlle Vale v Llanrwst United, Penrhyndeudraeth v Llandyrnog United.
Lock Stock Welsh Alliance (2.30pm)
Division Two: Kinmel Bay v Blaenau Amateurs.
Reserves Division: Llanberis v Llandyrnog Utd, Llanrug Utd v Llangefni Town, Llanrwst Utd v Nantlle Vale, Pwllheli v Prestatyn Town.
Bontnewydd v Bro Goronwy, Gwalchmai v Nefyn United, Menai Bridge Tigers v Mynydd Tigers, Talysarn Celts v Llangoed, Waunfawr v Llanystumdwy.
PWLLHELI travel to early WRU Division One North pacesetters Bethesda this Saturday aiming to build on last weekend’s 43-14 thrashing of Caernarfon.
Despite the poor weather, a decent crowd turned out to watch this local derby at Parc Bodegroes.
The match was preceded by one minute’s silence as a mark of respect for respected rugby figure Bill Parry, who died last month after a valiant fight against cancer.
Caernarfon chose to play with the wind at their backs in the first half. They started well and used the elements to their advantage. Pwllheli conceded a series of penalties but the visitors missed with three seemingly kickable pots at goal.
Pwllheli settled and looked threatening with ball in hand. After 11 minutes, counterattacking from a loose Caernarfon kick, the hosts made 40 yards to put centre Deio Brunelli in the clear to force his way over for a try.
Four minutes later, Pwllheli put together the best team move of the game.
Once again they used quick hands to attack from their own half. The precise passing between six players put scrum- half Gwilym Parry in the clear and he touched down unopposed.
The Llyn side’s third try came on 27 minutes. Winning the ball in the loose, flanker Caron Jones was on hand to use his pace and power to breach the defence. Pwll’s number 10 Mathew Parry did well to convert the touchdown.
Though 17-0 down and the game nearing half time, Caernarfon did not give up and deserved the try scored by the powerful Ilan Davies.
Aled Jones added the two points.
Pwllheli’s riposte was not long in coming and the crucial fourth and bonus point try came on 41 minutes. It was fitting that the scorer was captain Tom Parry, who powered over from short range following an aggressive scrum by the home side. Parry added the difficult angled conversion to make it 24-7 at half time.
Pwll extended their lead nine minutes into the second period with a virtuoso try by full back John Pugh.
His pace, power and balance saw him scythe through the would-be defence to score from his own half. Parry boosted with the boot. Despite their increasing deficit Caernarfon were not done.
It was Ilan Davies, again, who scored his team’s second try, Jones adding the extras.
Pwllheli took the opportunity to bring on fresh legs with Elgan Davies replacing Tudur Griffths, Mathew Hardy taking the field for Gwilym Parry and Osian Parry Jones coming on for Owain ap Myrddin, who had a very positive home debut.
As the rain came down the game dropped off somewhat but Pwllheli added a further two tries via Pugh. Parry added one conversion.
There were some fine home performances on the day with Mathew Parry orchestrating the backs with guile and finesse but it was the cohesiveness of the team that stood out.