Pwll warming up for clash of titans
SOMEONE’S unbeaten record is likely to go this Saturday when WRU Division One North’s two principal heavyweights meet in their latest battle.
Pwllheli, who have won their opening two matches, travel to Nant Conwy, table-toppers with four straight victories.
After Pwll lifted the title three seasons in a row, Nant stopped the rot last term by ending up as champions.
Pwllheli advanced to the next round of the national WRU Plate last Saturday with a 29-15 triumph over Bethesda at Parc Bodegroes.
The Llyn side always held the upper hand, although Pesda put up a fine effort.
Eleven minutes in, Pwll pushed the ball left and for once exposed the strong Bethesda defence.
The ball was quickly transferred right, swiftly moved along the back-line and full-back John Pugh was put into space to score wide out.
For the next 15 minutes it was nip and tuck.
Both teams created opportunities which were not taken until Pwllheli again opened up the powerful Pesda rearguard, right wing Osian Parry Jones crashing over in the corner.
Bethesda reacted with gusto to this setback. With fly-half Gerwyn Thomas making ground through astute kicking, they drove towards the Pwllheli line.
The home side withheld the initial thrusts but succumbed when flanker Gethin Harper cleverly used the blind side to score. Thomas added a tight conversion.
Pwllheli responded decisively with a try from captain Tom Parry, but Bethesda had the last say of the first half when Thomas kicked a fine penalty, making it 15-10 at the break.
The pack earned Pwllheli’s fourth try early in the second half, skipper Parry grounding again and Parry Jones converting.
If the home side thought the Bethesda team were done they were wrong. From a slick move, an overlap was created for hardworking scrum-half Carwyn Williams to touch down and keep his side very much in contention at 22-15.
Pwllheli powered back again and Parry achieved his hattrick, Parry Jones adding the two points.
The kick put Pwllheli 14 points clear and, despite Bethesda’s commitment, there was no further scoring.
Pwllheli seconds, with several players missing through injury or unavailability, had an excellent afternoon by toppling previously unbeaten Denbigh seconds 23-19.
Pwllheli scored three tries through second row Owain Roberts and backs Gethin V Jones and Tudur Ellis. Captain Alan Roberts added one conversion and two penalties.
The Pwllheli Youths were well beaten by a stronger more experienced Nant Conwy in a Welsh Cup match. Sole score for Pwllheli was a try by Iwan Emlyn as they lost 41-5.
There will be a bus to Pwllheli first team’s match at Nant Conwy this Saturday. Check with the club for details.
The seconds are away to Denbigh in the Welsh Bowl, while Pwll Youth host Bro Ffestiniog in a league match.