Pwll assured of second spot
PWLLHELI made sure of runners-up spot in WRU Division One North following a 59-35 victory at Llangefni last weekend. Nant Conwy will end Pwll’s three-year reign as champions if they beat Llangefni this Saturday, but the Llyn side are assured of second even if they lose their final match of the season at Bala on May 19.
Last Saturday’s clash at Cae Smyrna saw Cefni’s heavyweight pack earn them an early penalty, which fly-half Carwyn Milburn landed.
Pwllheli soon hit back. Countering from deep, their silky back-line cut into Llangefni territory. Quick inter-passing put supporting flanker Caron Jones in the clear to touch down wide out.
The home team came back strongly, using their big forwards in short bursts to put Pwllheli on the back foot. Twelve minutes in, No8 Aaron Jeffrey touched down from short range, Milburn adding the two points. Milburn soon slotted a penalty to give his side a 13-5 lead.
In response, Pwllheli’s backs scythed through would-be defenders for John Pugh to touch down.
After 22 minutes Pugh outpaced the cover to put wing Osian Parry Jones in the clear and he scored wide out. His excellent touchline kick put his team 17-13 in front.
Within two minutes this lead was extended as the visiting backs worked well together to create an opening for Pugh to score his second try. Parry Jones kicked the conversion.
Llangefni were still very much in the match. Heavy tackles were the norm as both sides played with pride and commitment to the great appreciation of the supporters.
Milburn cut the deficit with his third penalty but back came Pwllheli, the ubiquitous Tom Parry stretching his side’s advantage with a fine try.
Llangefni closed the half well. They drove Pwllheli back from a lineout, set up a rolling maul and prop Ynyr Lloyd crashed over to cut his side’s deficit to 31-23 at half time.
With the match ebbing and flowing the spectators were looking forward to a display of Corinthian rugby – and the players duly obliged.
Both sides now opted for an expansive game and it made good viewing.
Six minutes into the second period it was Pwllheli’s turn to use the driving maul, prop Kevin Morris pouncing for the try and Parry Jones added another two points. Pwllheli’s evergreen secondrow Geraint Parry then cut inside the oncoming cover to score a deserved try. Two more points from Parry Jones’s boot took the score to 45-23.
Llangefni are made of stern stuff and, on 20 minutes, centre Ian Parry finished off a nice move to touch down, Milburn adding the extras .
Geraint Parry scored his second try to take Pwllheli to 50 points, Parry Jones boosting with the boot.
The visitors brought on a raft of substitutes and they played their part in a game that was an excellent advert for community rugby. With four minutes left, Pugh glided through the home defence to secure his hat-trick, Parry Jones landing the bonus.
Cefni had the last say when left wing Carwyn Owen intercepted a Pwllheli pass and ran half the length of the pitch to score.
The scheduled Division Three match against Mold was postponed on Friday evening, much to the disappointment of Pwllheli’s second-team.