DINBYCH 13

LLANDUDNO 50

THE toughest of tests awaited Dinbych in midweek.

They were tasked with tackling defending Division One (North) champions Llandudno, who are leading the way in the standings once more.

With the match being played both as a league and Conwy Land Rover North Wales Senior Cup quarter-final, unbeaten Llandudno extended their lead at the head of the table and progressed into the semi-final with an emphatic seven-try victory.

However, a game Dinbych side competed much more effectively than the final scoreline suggested.

Dominating both territory and possession, Llandudno owed their victory to their well organised forwards, who provided quick quality possession from both set piece and breakdowns for their slick and speedy backs who were always looking for opportunities to attack.

Dinbych defended resolutely throughout, but had limited attacking opportunities and always operated under pressure from an aggressive Llandudno defence.

Llandudno attacked strongly from the start and they took the lead in the fifth minute with a penalty by outside half Arthur Lennon, but this was soon cancelled out with a similar score from Dinbych's outside half Garin Roberts.

Despite excellent defence by Dinbych to thwart heavy Llandudno pressure, the visitors went ahead with a try by flanker Allan Davies following a driving maul by the forwards from a short-range lineout.

Llandudno continued to press strongly, but Dinbych relieved the pressure with a long break out of defence by scrum half Robyn Cartwright, which eventually led to the visitors conceding a penalty.

This was converted by Garin Roberts' second successful kick.

Following the restart, Llandudno launched a counter attack from halfway with the backs creating an overlap for full back Ryan Pike to go over for a try in the corner, which he converted with an excellent kick.

Trailing 15-6 at the interval, Dinbych were still in contention but they immediately fell further behind when right wing Rhys Henderson went over for an excellent solo try after slipping a tackle near the touchline on halfway and evading a number of defenders after cutting infield to score near the posts. Lennon added the conversion.

The visitors increased their lead with a couple of quick tries.

Hooker Alan Meredith touched down for a try after a driving maul by the forwards from a short-range lineout and then from the restart, Arthur Lennon went over for an opportunist try after a Dinbych counter attack broke down deep in their own half.

Lennon converted both scores.

Llandudno went further ahead after a period of pressure when flanker Bob Davies went over wide out for a try, converted by replacement outside half Nick Dundee.

Ryan Pike then went over for his second try with a break to the right from a maul 40 metres out, which was again converted by Dundee.

Dinbych showed their character by coming back strongly at the end with a period of pressure near to the Llandudno line.

A surge by replacement prop Lewys Eden was stopped just short, with replacement lock James Rowse then forcing his way over for a try, converted by Garin Roberts.