Smash-and-grab success for visitors
LLANDUDNO were delighted to pull off a smash-and-grab 25-23 win in last Saturday’s Division One North tussle at Caernarfon.
With a number of regular first teamers absent due to injuries and work commitments, Tudno brought into the squad former youth players Andy Wynne Jones and Morgan Owen, and both lived up to the expectations of the coaching staff.
It was via a Llandudno break from inside their own half that Andy Wynne Jones gave a tryscoring pass to centre Nick Maxwell for the opening score of the match.
The Cofis hit back with a penalty by Aled Jones, who then added an excellent touchline conversion to winger Dylan Parry’s try.
Tudno responded with a penalty by Ryan Pike before the half time whistle, leaving them just 10-8 down at the interval.
The second half was one of the lead changing hands on numerous occasions.
Llan edged ahead with a second Pike penalty, but back came the home side with a try by Rhobat John, Jones adding the extras.
The visitors replied when from a set scrum just on halfway, they broke away through their backs, Pike crossing the try-line and converting to make it 18-17 to Tudno.
Llan now gave away a number of penalties inside their own half and it was substitute and former North Wales stand-off Kelvin Morris who landed two successful kicks to put his team 23-18 in front.
The game went into added time and it looked as if the home side had secured the win, but Llan were not prepared to accept defeat.
From the restart following the last penalty by the home side, the Tudno forwards regained possession of the ball, which was then given out to the back-line and fed out wide to right-wing George Thomas, who ran in for the final touchdown near the posts. Pike converted to seal the points in a real thriller.
The win lifted the Seasiders up to third place, just two points behind leaders Nant Conwy.
This Saturday sees Llandudno entertain Bethesda at Maesdu Road (2.30pm).
Tudno did the double over the Ogwen side last season.