Pwll hold firm in oustanding plate victory

PWLLHELI Rugby Club pulled off an outstanding 23-18 win at Division Two West Central leaders Birchgrove to progress to the next round of the WRU National Plate.

The home side started much the stronger. Their pack was much the heavier and it was obvious from the outset they were going to be largely dependent on their bulky forwards.

Pwllheli’s defence kept them in the game before Birchgrove took the lead after 18 minutes when Andy Rowlands kicked a penalty.

The pressure was maintained by the home team and this allowed some of their powerful backs to come into play. On 26 minutes, good inter-linking between forwards and backs put full-back Rikki Prosser in the clear to touch down. Rowlands added the two points.

The Llyn side reacted well and cut the deficit on 36 minutes with an Osian Parry Jones penalty.

Pwllheli now needed to hold firm but it was Birchgrove who had the last say of the half when the excellent Rowlands scored out wide to make it 15-3 at the changeover.

The second period saw Pwllheli raise their game, almost immediately reducing the arrears with a Parry Jones penalty.

By now, the visitors also had the edge in the set pieces as their fitness and technique began to tell.

On 12 minutes, Birchgrove lost their hefty flanker through a yellow card and Pwllheli took full advantage.

Parry Jones slotted their third penalty before centre Ianto Parry finished off a fine three-quarter movement to cross the whitewash. The try was converted by Parry Jones to give Pwllheli the lead for the first time at 16-15.

The mobile visiting pack now had the upper hand and frantic defence by Birchgrove saw their fly-half carded for killing the ball in the red zone.

Pwllheli continued to press and were rewarded by a try by captain Tom Parry. Parry Jones’ kick gave Pwllheli an eightpoint lead.

Birchgrove rallied and it was they who had the stronger last eight minutes of the game. They cut the arrears to five points when Rowlands kicked a penalty. Pwllheli kept their discipline and organisation but were mightily relieved when the final whistle went.