NEWTOWN 0

DINBYCH 64

WITH injuries and unavailability resulting in a number of changes, Division Two (North) Dinbych faced a potential banana skin on their away day to Newtown.

However, the replacements fitted in seamlessly, with scrum half Josh Morris and centre Aled Evans making confident first team starts.

In addition, a completely new back row, including two hookers in Chris Forshaw and Dafydd Jones and youth team flanker Robin Williams, contributed to a fine performance by the forwards.

The makeshift pack more than held their own in the scrums, with the front row of Peter Shoosmith, Geraint Madoc Jones and young Joe Davies providing a solid platform, while Gareth Beach supplied quality possession at lineout time.

Despite the difficult conditions, Dinbych's expansive attacking play gained its reward as they crossed for nine tries, but equally important was their watertight defence which thwarted the close driving play by Newtown's bulkier forwards.

Outside half Dan O'Sullivan not only kicked eight out of nine conversions, mainly from wide positions, as well as a penalty, but he was also a constant threat looking for opportunities to launch his dangerous backs.

Newtown opted to play against a stiff breeze that was blowing straight down the pitch in the first half and they found themselves behind after only four minutes.

Dan O'Sullivan opened the scoring with a penalty, which was set up after a powerful run into the heart of the Newtown defence by Robin Williams. Chris Forshaw then showed his versatility playing at number eight by scoring Dinbych's first two tries.

First, he capitalised on a powerful driving maul by the forwards from a short-range lineout, with lock David Haydock making the final yards to the line.

For his second score, Forshaw finished off a long-range attack in which lock Gareth Beach played an important part.

Dinbych's third try came as a result of a clever chip kick to the corner by Josh Morris, for Gareth Beach to disrupt the Newtown defence and pounce to touch down.

The bonus point try was scored by right wing and acting captain Aidyn Jones, who finished off a counter attack by full back Gruff Roberts from deep in the Dinbych half.

Dinbych's final try of the first half was launched from a lineout steal by Gareth Beach in the Newtown 22 for excellent play by the midfield backs to put left wing Kieran Bonar over in the corner.

O'Sullivan added his fourth conversion to leave Dinbych leading by 36 points at the interval.

Dinbych now faced the stiff breeze, but this failed to halt their momentum and they increased their lead when they stole another lineout near half way.

Chris Forshaw broke infield and the ball was then recycled for Aled Evans to release Gruff Roberts to slice through the defence for Dinbych's sixth try.

Newtown then enjoyed a purple patch, with a long period of pressure near the Dinbych line as they attacked through a series of scrums and driving play by the forwards.

However, they were unable to breach Dinbych's strong defence.

Dinbych raised the siege with a counter attack from their own half when O'Sullivan chipped ahead and regathered to send Aled Evans on a long run in for a try, despite a desperate chase by Newtown defenders.

Replacements James Rowe and Gethin Jones, making his first team debut, added impetus, before centre Tom Seddon went over for Dinbych's next try after they counter attacked from turned over possession.

Robin Williams then capped a man of the match performance when he went over for Dinbych's final try in the closing minutes, with a powerful surge from the back of a close-range scrum.

Dan O'Sullivan added his fourth conversion of the second half with another well-judged kick from a wide angle.