MOLD 2NDS 10
DINBYCH 2NDS 13
FOR all of their big victories over recent months, none will be as vital as Dinbych 2nds’ narrow Clwyd League triumph at Mold.
Since edging to a narrow 13-10 success over the Flintshire side on the opening day of the season, the Caeau Les Phillips side have been in blistering form, scoring 549 points in their next seven matches at an average of more than 78 points-per-game.
Dinbych anticipated a tough away fixture at Mold, with their unbeaten record on the line.
The pitch conditions were poor from the heavy rain resulting in many handling errors by both sides, but despite this, Dinbych still put together some great attacking play.
Dinbych secured the ball from the kick-off for the forwards to drive back into Mold territory.
They battled well at the breakdown, only to lose the ball in contact which allowed Mold to counter attack.
The home attack was stopped by Dinbych’s solid back division.
Dinbych did concede a penalty, though, which the home side slotted over to go into a 3-0 lead.
From the restart, Dinbych pushed deep into Mold’s 22, putting pressure on the defence.
After numerous rucks and mauls the ball came out for number eight Gareth Price to punch a hole in the solid defence and give his side the lead with a well-worked try, which was converted by Dave Perkins.
With the wet conditions, unforced errors kept both packs busy, with the Dinbych forwards having to work hard in set plays against the heavier Mold pack.
They held their own for scrum half Lee Parkes’ slick ball handling at the base of the scrum to unleash the backs, giving Mold plenty of food for thought.
When the home side was penalised for an infringement at the breakdown in the 33rd minute, outside half Llion Edwards secured the three points from a long-range penalty to give the visitors a 10-3 lead at the break.
Mold were right back in the game when they secured an early converted try four minutes into the second half, capitalising on a rare error by the Dinbych defence. A few changes were made early doors to bring some fresh legs into the Dinbych pack, which paid dividends as Dinbych now dominated the set play, but they still struggled with Mold’s driving mauls.
However, the defence was resolute and Dinbych soon forced Mold’s backline on to the back foot. The visiting forwards were on top at scrum time and half backs Parkes and Edwards created a solid platform to work from as Dinbych’s confidence grew. Edwards used some great kicks over the defence to keep play in the Mold half, but the hosts were still dangerous on the counter attack.
Dinbych’s centre partnership of Andy McCord and Rob Schrimshaw did not let anything through all afternoon, though, putting in endless tackles.
In the last 10 minutes, Dinbych kept Mold in their own half, forcing the hosts to carry the ball over their own line to concede a five-metre scrum.
Dinbych drove the Mold pack back, only for the try to be disallowed after it was deemed knocked on by replacement number eight Simon Davies.
Another five-metre scrum was called and Dinbych's pack won the ball, only for Mold to infringe at the breakdown to give away a penalty in the dying minutes.
With the pressure on, Llion Edwards stepped up to slot the kick over and give Dinbych the lead again.
Mold were desperate from the restart, kicking the ball deep into Dinbych territory to try and salvage something in the last minute of the game.
But they were kept at bay by solid defending from the visitors and the ball was eventually kicked into touch to secure a well-deserved Dinbych victory, making it nine wins out of nine for the season.