DIVISION 1 EAST CENTRAL

HEOL Y CYW ............... 23 DOWLAIS ..................... 22

DOWLAIS were quickly into an eight-point lead with a try from Bleddyn Rees and a penalty from Steve James.

The try came from a move which saw flanker Dan Snape inside wing Bleddyn Rees and he put in a delicate chip for the winger to run on to and brush his opposite number away and touch down in the corner.

Dowlais then went into a shell and were pinned in their 22 and failing to clear their lines invited the home team to score, and they duly obliged by running in two simple tries, outside half P Short adding one conversion, and make the score 12-8 to the home team at the interval.

Dowlais were attacking at every opportunity but failing to convert the pressuren into points, and allowing Heol Y Cyw to score their third try and a penalty by P Short put the home side in a comfortable 20-8 lead.

Once again Dowlais showed great spirit and with time running out started to play their best rugby of the match.

Cyw spilt the ball and wing Bleddyn Rees was on it in a flash and showing a great turn of speed headed for the line bursting the attempted tackles of the defenders and touching down in the corner.

Steve James added the extras from a difficult angle out on the right-hand touchline.

With the clock working against them and now in injury-time Dowlais threw everything into attack and with all the backs involved.

Kristian Owen broke clear to give wing Jake Howard the run-in and score in the corner.

Again another difficult conversion, this time wide out on the left touch line, Steve James stroked it over to give Dowlais a two-point lead, with the clock now on 10 minutes of added time Dowlais thought they had pinched a win, and were expecting the final whistle, but the referee allowed the home side to kick off, and unbelievable gave away an unnecessary penalty, which the home No 10 happily put over for a one-point lead.

Still there was no final whistle coming and Dowlais launched one more final attack, and were awarded a penalty just inside the home half but very wide and similar to one of the conversions by Steve James earlier but this time he just put it inches to the right of the posts, much to the relief of the home supporters.

This was a much improved performance by Dowlais and this is the style of rugby they need to produce on a regular basis.

A win would have been just reward for their great fightback only to have victory snatched from them in the final minute.

On Saturday Dowlais are home to Rumney, ko 2.30pm.