PWLLHELI 59

DINBYCH 17

THE fine start to the season has come to an abrupt halt for Dinbych.

Regular WRU League Division One (North) title challengers Pwllheli built their victory on the work of their bulkier forwards, who dominated the set scrums.

They turned over possession on a number of occasions, which led directly to several tries.

It also gave the Gwynedd hosts quality possession throughout, allowing them to initiate combined attacks as they went through multiple phases.

Their excellent support play stretched Dinbych to the limit as they took advantage of too many missed first up tackles by the visitors.

In contrast, Dinbych were inevitably on the back foot operating under pressure and the aggressive defence by Pwllheli led to many uncharacteristic handling errors as the visitors tried to play their normal expansive game.

However, despite the mounting scoreline, Dinbych continued to compete in all phases of play and they showed their character by claiming two late tries.

Dinbych started the contest well as they put together a number of phases of play, but Pwllheli soon countered and they opened the scoring after just five minutes.

After launching an attack from a relieving kick 40 metres out near the left touchline, good handling in midfield created the opening for flanker Dafydd Anwyl to cross in the right hand side for an unconverted try.

Dinbych replied three minutes later when outside half Garin Roberts kicking a penalty from 25 metres out when Pwllheli were caught offside at a maul.

Pwllheli then pulled ahead in the 17th minute when centre Deto Brunezli finished off a number of attacks by scoring in the corner.

Osian Parry Jones added the conversion points, with his kick glanced in off an upright.

Pwllheli then managed to add three tries leading up to the interval, all stemming from pressure exerted at close range scrums.

Number eight Tom Parry claimed two of these, both of them after breaking from the base of the set piece.

These efforts sandwiched a try by full back John Parry, who sliced through after the ball was recycled following another short range scrum.

All three tries were converted by Osian Parry Jones to leave Pwllheli leading 33-3 at the interval.

The unbeaten Gwynedd outfit then increased their lead 12 minutes into the second half when scrum half Daniel Williams crossed for a try after the ball had been recycled following a scrum under the Dinbych posts.

The hosts added their seventh try as they broke out from their 22, with centre Ianto Parry crossing in the corner. Dinbych continued to fight a rearguard action, with wing Aidyn Jones typifying their resistance courtesy of a try-saving tackle forcing a lineout just short of the visitors' line.

Unfortunately, Dinbych failed to secure the lineout and Pwllheli second row Huw Williams eventually forced his way over for a try after a number of short range drives.

Osian Parry Jones converted all three tries.

Huw Williams then added his second try on the back of a break from halfway, following which he beat several defenders on a surge for the line.

After working with scraps of possession throughout, Dinbych restored some pride in the final 10 minutes with two trademark tries from deep within their own half.

The first came from a typical solo run by full back Gruff Roberts, who beat several defenders before touching down under the posts.

The second score arrived via centre Owain Davies after an initial break by Aidyn Jones.

Both of these scores were converted by Garin Roberts and they showed what Dinbych might have achieved had they secured more possession over the course of the afternoon.