DINBYCH 23

BALA 22

HOW important will this result turn out to be come next April?

Dinbych came from behind to defeat Bala by the narrowest margin with a converted try in the last minute of a feisty encounter.

As a result, it lifted the Caeau Les Phillips hosts from the foot of the Division One (North) table.

Bala used their powerful scrum - which had Dinbych under pressure throughout - as their main attacking weapon.

In contrast, the hosts used their pacy back division to attack whenever they had the opportunity.

After early sparring with both sides competing fiercely at the breakdown area, Bala took the lead in the seventh minute.

Scrum half Euros Jones went over for an unconverted try after the Bala pack drove over the Dinbych line from a short-range scrum.

Dinbych replied after a quarter-of-an-hour through a penalty from 20 metres by full back Gruff Roberts.

However, Bala would then go on to increase their lead after 25 minutes with Euros Jones again in the spotlight to score his second unconverted try from another short-range scrum.

Although Bala were using their scrum to good effect, Dinbych attacked strongly with typical breaks by Gruff Roberts stretching the defence, while wings Kieran Bonar and Aidyn Jones also went close.

It was the latter who then capitalised on a searing break from a scrum 40 metres out by skipper Tom Seddon to go over for a try, which Gruff Roberts converted to equalise the scores just before half-time.

With the scoreline tied at ten points apiece at the interval, Bala went ahead once again in the 53rd minute.

Prop Endaf Jones squeezed in at the corner for an unconverted try following a blindside break from a short-range ruck.

Dinbych again chipped away at the deficit with a second penalty from 35 metres by Gruff Roberts when Bala offended at a ruck.

However, Dinbych were then reduced to 14 men when replacement hooker Elliot Davies was yellow carded as the hosts had to defend desperately against intense Bala pressure close to their line.

The visitors then took advantage of Dinbych's depleted numbers with Euros Jones going over for his hat-trick try from another short-range scrum.

Fly half Owen Aled converted from wide out to take Bala two scores ahead with only 10 minutes remaining.

However, it was Dinbych who finished the stronger with their only sustained attacking period of the match.

Gruff Roberts again pegged Bala back with his third penalty and this took the hosts within one score of Bala.

With time running out, fly half Garin Roberts kicked a penalty to the corner to set up a driving maul from a short-range lineout.

Although Bala halted the drive on the line, replacement scrum half Alex Jones threw out a long pass for centre Andy Deakin to break the defensive line and score under the posts.

This left Gruff Roberts with the easiest of conversions to win the match in dramatic circumstances.