Win keeps Pwll title hopes alive
PWLLHELI kept their hopes of a fourth successive Division One North championship alive with an outstanding 17-15 victory at inform Llandudno last Saturday.
Tudno had won their last 10 league matches on the bounce and were unbeaten since losing at home to Nant Conwy back in early November.
However, Pwll showed typical grit and determination to grab a crucial win at Maesdu Road.
The result edged the Llyn side to within three points of leaders Nant, who have a game in hand.
Pwllheli have two matches remaining, away to Llangefni on May 5 and at Bala on May 19. Nant have still to play relegated Colwyn Bay away (May 5) and Llangefni and Llandudno at home on May 12 and 16 respectively.
Pwll travelled to Llandudno with a depleted squad through illness and unavailability.
The contrasting styles of the two teams was evident throughout the match and this was reflected in the result.
The dominant home forwards controlled much of the first half activity and the pressure on the visitors’ defence after 30 minutes opened the scoring when the Pwllheli tight head knocked the ball on two meters from the try-line whilst defending.
His action was deemed deliberate and a yellow card and a penalty try was harshly awarded, Ryan Pike converting.
In injury time, a penalty for offside was given to the home team on the 25-metre line and was duly landed by Pike to increase the score to 10-0.
The second period opened with Pwllheli counter-attacking effectively. They punched a few holes in the home defence and eventually the ever-alert full back John Pugh squeezed his way through and won the race to cross the try-line. Osian Parry Jones converted.
Another break, eight minutes later, saw fly-half Mathew Parry similarly beat a number of defenders and was first over the line to score the second try. Winger Parry Jones again improved and, for the first time in the contest, the visitors were ahead.
The margin was increased to 17-10 when Parry Jones was successful with a penalty attempt a few minutes later.
Early in the last quarter, Llandudno, having regained their forward superiority and applying increased pressure, found their way to the Pwllheli try-line and their prop Lewis Jones forced his way over. The conversion was missed.
There was a lot of tension throughout the match and in particular in the last 10 minutes and it was somewhat surprising to see both penalty kickers missing attempts at goal.
Llandudno could have won the game but a penalty shot in the last few seconds went wide and another, five minutes earlier, bounced off the post.
An excellent win for Pwllheli, who have regained second position in the league. ● Pwllheli 2nds lost their match to second in the league Holyhead in Division Three North, while Pwllheli Youth won their home game against Wrexham Youth 38-7 and earned a place in the semi finals of the Gogledd Cymru Youth Cup competition. They will play Dolgellau Youth on Saturday.