MENAI BRIDGE 16

DINBYCH 2NDS 15

DESPITE severe disruption to their preparation, Dinbych 2nds did well to recover in a highly competitive encounter at Menai Bridge.

The visitors would end up losing by the narrowest of margins, but at least they managed to gain a bonus point for their efforts.

Traffic chaos on the A55 saw both bridges across to Anglesey closed for a long period and this resulted in a delayed kick-off.

Even then, the game kicked off with several players still in the traffic jam.

This forced readjustments from Dinbych, including forwards Endaf Waller and Hari Evans having to play out of position at centre and scrum half respectively.

Menai Bridge seized the initiative from the start with an early try, but Dinbych fought back strongly to control territory and possession, with their strong scrum being particularly dominant.

They got their reward with a try by lock Jake Jones and Dinbych were unlucky when two further efforts went unrewarded.

Firstly, the referee was unsighted when full back Alun Davies went over and then number eight Sean Baker was unlucky to knock-on in the process of touching down after showing excellent dribbling skills in the lead up.

The hosts then increased their lead with a penalty to leave them 8-5 ahead at the interval.

The second half developed into an arm wrestle, with the hosts going further ahead courtesy of a try and a penalty.

Dinbych were then able to use their late arrivals from the bench, which after prolonged pressure near to the Menai line led to tries by Endaf Waller and Callum Taylor setting up a tense finish to the game.

Now trailing by a single point, Dinbych had a chance to win the game in the final minutes with Llion Edwards narrowly missing with a penalty attempt.

This gave the hosts a hard earned victory by the narrowest of margins at 16-15.

However, Dinbych were able to outscore their hosts by three tries to two and they gained a losing bonus point for their committed efforts after the early disruptions.