PWLLHELI 29

DINBYCH 5

DESPITE giving a committed performance, Dinbych fell to an opening day defeat at Pwllheli.

Leading by only three points at the interval, the hosts secured a bonus point victory by taking all their scoring opportunities with a three-try burst in the final quarter to leave Dinbych with little to show for a promising display by a young side.

Pwllheli took the lead in the third minute when they capitalised on a period of early pressure deep in the Dinbych 22 when wing Osian Parry Jones kicked a penalty after Dinbych were caught offside.

The Gwynedd hosts continued to dominate territory and possession for the first quarter, with only a resolute defence by Dinbych keeping them at bay.

Dinbych gradually worked their way back into the match based on their excellent scrummaging, where the young front row of Lewys Eden, Elliot Davies and Joe Davies provided a solid foundation.

This allowed youth product Rowan Hughes, making his first senior start at scrum half, to give an assured and incisive performance and provide a stream of good quality possession for the backs.

Despite their dangerous attacking play, Pwllheli were unable to add to their early score leaving them leading by only three points at the interval.

Dinbych suffered a setback in the opening minutes of the second half when left wing Kieran Bonar was yellow carded after being adjudged to have knocked the ball on deliberately near the line.

Pwllheli capitalised from the penalty when lock Geraint Parry went over for a try near the corner after a forward drive from the short-range lineout.

Parry Jones converted with an excellent kick from wide out.

Dinbych then dominated play by putting pressure on Pwllheli in their own 22 for a long period, but they were themselves denied by a strong defence.

To make matters worse for Dinbych, the hosts cleared their line with a long kick and chase out of defence deep into the opposition 22.

They then won possession from a couple of quick mauls for supporting centre Deio Brunelli to gather and cross for a try, again converted by Parry Jones.

Brunelli then added his second try in the corner as he finished off a break on the narrow side after Dinbych lost possession at a lineout just inside their 22.

Dinbych continued to attempt to counter attack from deep in their own 22, but they paid the penalty when Pwllheli ran the ball back following a relieving kick for replacement flanker Wil Owen to cross for the bonus point try, converted by Parry Jones.

Dinbych showed their character as they continued to compete fiercely into the final minutes and they gained a reward for their efforts with an excellent try.

This stemmed from another solid scrum inside the Pwllheli 22, with slick handling by the midfield backs releasing Kieran Bonar, who went over for a consolation try in the corner.