MACHYNLLETH 19
BALA 18
DISAPPOINTED Bala will have to spend at least one more season in SWALEC League Division Two (North).
The men from Maes Gwyniad knew that nothing less than a win at Machynlleth would keep them in the promotion hunt alongside Bethesda, but a narrow weekend loss means that Bala are highly unlikely to be the promoted team.
Bethesda hammered weakened visitors COBRA 89-7, which means they only require four points from their last two matches to go up.
For Bala, a host of bad luck played its part in the loss at Machynlleth.
Bala finished with only 13 players on the field after injuries to their two main kickers, Rhydian Jones and Gareth Owen.
Though they were at a disadvantage, Bala still had the chance to win the game in the closing minute as they were awarded a penalty in front of the posts.
But without a recognised kicker on the field, the attempt went wide.
“Bethesda have now got to lose twice to Machynlleth, which I can’t see happening,” said Bala chairman Tony Parry.
There was semi-final disappointment for Bala 2nds, who lost to Menai Bridge in the last-four of the Gwynedd Cup.
The Anglesey side reached the final with a slender 15-14 scoreline.
Meanwhile, Bala Youth were beaten 24-3 by Caernarfon in the semi-finals of the North Wales Plate.