High price of victory for Pwllheli

VICTORY came at a price for Pwllheli when their prolific try-scoring full back John Pugh suffered a serious injury in a 17-16 win at Bala.

Midway through the first half, Pugh was tackled close to the halfway line.

It was clear it was an leg/ankle injury and the player was taken to hospital with a prognosis now awaited.

This was the second major blow to hit Pwllheli in recent weeks following the career-ending injury suffered by Mathew Parry last month.

Both teams seemed to be cancelling each other out at Bala until the 29th minute, when the hosts conjured up a bit of magic in midfield to create space for full back Rhydian Jones to score under the posts. Fly-half Owain Aled’s conversion was a formality.

Come the interval it was 7-0 to Bala.

The second period started well for Pwllheli, the pack retaining possession and using their experience. After six minute, hooker Kevin Morris scored a deserved try. But Bala extended their lead to 13-5 with two Owain Aled penalties.

Pwllheli now switched to a more basic style of rugby. Two minutes after the restart second row Huw Williams scored and once again it was as a result of a series of forward drives. Wing Carwyn ap Myrddin crucially added the two points.

The very resilient Bala side’s riposte was almost immediate when Owain Aled slotted yet another penalty.

Pwllheli now had to dig deep and did so with some aplomb. Forwards and backs combined to carry the ball to the Bala 22.

Frantic home defence kept Pwllheli at bay but, after three unsuccessful drives, the hosts lost their lock as he illegally killed the ball.

The visitors needed a try and opted for a set scrum. Scrum-half Gwilym Parri did well to cross the whitewash, Ap Myrddin’s wide out conversion attempt rebounding off the posts. The final whistle went some minutes later.

Pwllheli RFC are very grateful for the support swiftly provided by the Bala paramedic and a local doctor to their stricken player Pugh.