DINBYCH 45

RHYL 24

ALTHOUGH Rhyl were much more competitive than in their league visit to Caeau Les Phillips the previous week, they were still unable to prevent Dinbych making further progress in their defence of the Conwy Land Rover North Wales Intermediate Cup.

The visitors were dealt a blow in the opening minutes when they lost centre Richard Williams, who suffered a leg injury in a tackle, but this failed to dampen their enthusiasm as they looked to attack at every opportunity.

Rhyl also defended strongly and competed fiercely in the breakdown area. Dinbych, however, were more measured in their play and they used their possession more effectively as they scored all of their three first half tries from lineouts deep in the Rhyl 22.

The first was scored by flanker Tom Eden, who went over for an unconverted try after capitalising on driving play by the forwards following a catch by skipper Narmer El Lamie.

Outside half Garin Roberts was the next to benefit from a similar build-up as he went over for a try after scrum half Iwan Johnson had made the initial inroads into the defence.

This was converted by full back Gruff Roberts.

Rhyl then reduced the arrears with a penalty by Jason Blackmore, only for Dinbych to pull away again with their third try from a short-range lineout, with debutant winger Andrew Wilson taking advantage of a forward drive after a Gareth Beach catch.

Gruff Roberts' conversion extended Dinbych's lead at the interval to 19-3.

Dinbych extended their lead in the second half with a try by hooker Geraint Madoc Jones, who broke through the defence from short range after the ball was recycled from an attack halted near the corner.

Gruff Roberts added the conversion and then played a major part in the next score from an attack initiated near halfway, with centres Mat Hulse and Tom Seddon releasing the full back on a long touchline run.

When he was tackled in the corner just short of the line by the covering defence, Andrew Wilson was up in support to cross for his second try, which Roberts then converted.

Rhyl reduced the gap when they capitalised on possession from a short-range lineout for Che Hudson to score a try, converted by Blackmore.

This failed to loosen Dinbych's grip on the tie as lock John Winning went over for a try following an initial surge down the touchline by his second row partner Gareth Beach.

Dinbych's final try came from a turnover on halfway, with replacement winger Ben Reed, on his debut, instrumental in feeding Mat Hulse, who then set man of the match Gruff Roberts on a touchline run to outflank the covering defence and cross in the corner.

Rhyl then got some reward for their enthusiastic and fiercely competitive effort with two late converted tries to give the final score a more realistic look.