DINBYCH and Bala are becoming familiar opponents!

A week after meeting in the WRU Division One Cup, the two teams faced each other in Division One (North), with Bala running out 31-12 winners.

Despite gaining more than their fair share of both possession and territory throughout, Dinbych effectively lost the game before the interval as they conceded four unanswered tries.

This was the result of a below-par defensive play highlighted by weak tackling which failed to halt the momentum of Bala’s intensive attacking play.

Dinbych did improve in the second half outscoring the visitors but by then the deficit was too great for it to make a difference.

Bala were quick off the mark and opened the scoring in the second minute when they attacked from a lineout just outside the home 22 and after recycling the ball through several phases by the forwards flanker Guto Roberts forced his way over for an unconverted try.

Dinbych then dominated for a long period of play to midway through the half but conceded a second try after losing possession behind a scrum near halfway.

The loose ball was hacked through for scrum half Gethin Jones to win the race to touchdown for an unconverted try.

Dinbych continued to edge play but their progress was hampered by handling errors.

Bala then struck with two tries just before the interval showing the advantage of their more intensive play and secure handling.

The first again came from the close support play from the forwards who took advantage of a sniping run by Gethin Jones from a scrum just outside the home 22 to develop a number of driving mauls with prop Matthew Bevan going over for a try converted by outside half Llion Jones.

He then added the extras to Bala’s fourth try on the stroke of half-time after Dinbych stole a line out on halfway only for loose possession to be conceded as the Bala forwards broke through weak tackling as they drove down the right hand touch for hooker Garin Davies to cross wide out.

Trailing 24-0 at the interval, Dinbych eventually opened their account 13 minutes into the second half when they pinned Bala in the left hand corner for centre Dan O’Sullivan to force his way over for an unconverted try after taking a short range crash ball pass.

Midway through the half Bala extended their lead after a counter attack by the backs was halted by good Dinbych defence near the line in the right hand corner for number eight Ilan Rowlands to take advantage of quickly recycled possession to cross for a try converted by Lion Jones.

Dinbych showed their character by responding positively and scored in the final minute when scrum half Henry Maitland Davies took a quick tap penalty near halfway breaking through and beating several defenders before being halted just short of the Bala line.

A neat offload allowed hooker Elliot Davies to put wing Gethin Williams over near the corner for a try converted with an excellent kick by Dan O’Sullivan.