Pwllheli agony as Bala win thriller
PWLLHELI were edged out 23-22 by Bala in a match played in difficult conditions, writes WILL MARTIN.
The match started off really well for the home side and they took an early lead as veteran talisman Geraint Parry crashed over for a try.
Wing Alan Roberts put a penalty over to extend Pwllheli’s lead before left wing Arwel Thomas’ pace saw him speed past the cover to touch down.
Though the conversion missed Pwllheli appeared to have a healthy 15-0 lead.
Bala regrouped and gradually worked the ball down to Pwllheli’s left.
They went through the phases and Pwllheli yielded a penalty which gave Bala more yardage.
They won the ensuing lineout and three phases later crossed the whitewash wide out.
The half finished with Pwllheli leading 15-5.
The tables turned in the second period. Bala realised the importance of the result and pressed hard.
Out of nowhere they had the edge in the scrums and their lineout remained secure throughout the game and they reduced the deficit by three points courtesy of a penalty kick.
The Llŷn side brought on Osian Parry Jones in place of Alan Roberts a minute later.
The visitors cut their arrears with another penalty and it was no surprise to the dismayed home crowd when Bala took the lead for the first time.
Again making ground via a well struck penalty touch kick they retained possession and crossed for a deserved try.
This was duly converted to give the away side an 18-15 lead.
Pwllheli tried to respond but were unable to maintain sustained cohesive play.
They never stopped trying and their labour was rewarded when centre and captain John Pugh charged down a would-be relieving kick by Bala. Pugh kept his composure and sped over the try line.
Osian Parry Jones gave Pwllheli a narrow four points lead.
Bala then upped several gears and following two penalties and three scrums with their put in with five metres of the Pwllheli line they inevitably squeezed over to score.
The conversion missed but the whistle went immediately afterwards and the jubilant Bala players and supporters celebrated their win.