News

Dolgellau travelled this weekend for the first leg of back to back encounters with Rhyl Youth in the North Wales 2 league.
With only three games left in the season for Dolgellau and the second promotion spot for next season up for grabs, Dolgellau were keen to put in a good performance. Rhyl were however an unknown entity as it was the first meeting of the clubs this season.
Weather and pitch conditions were ideal for open running rugby and the home team started strongest playing down the slope. Rhyl pressurised the Dolgellau defensive line for the first twenty five minutes but failed to turn territorial advantage into points. The Dolgellau boys held their nerve and worked hard to repel all of the early attacks.
Dolgellau eventually started to turn the tide late in the first period, making inroads into Rhyl's half. During their first real attacking opportunity, an infringement by Rhyl saw Henri Tomos Roberts slot to the ball between the posts from 40m to take the first points, around about the half hour mark.
The game then started to open up a little. A turn over deep inside the Rhyl half, eventually resulted in Rhyl crossing for the first try of the game which went unconverted.
Dolgellau came back at the home team, who went one man down to a yellow card offence within the Rhyl five meter area. The penalty kick bounced off the upright but was gathered by Dolgellau who continued to ask questions of the Rhyl defence. Two or three phases later, Dolgellau spilled the ball in a tackle and Rhyl were able to clear their lines.
A yellow card for Dolgellau centre for a tackle infringement evened out the numbers on the pitch just before the interval.
The second period saw the Dolgellau pack upping their intensity giving better ball for the back line. The advantage of the slope was now with Dolgellau and it wasn't long before number eight and man of the match Samuel Jones, crossed for the first of four unanswered Dolgellau tries. Jake Hinge, Henri Tomos Roberts and Josh Hellawell, all crossed the whitewash to close out the game. Henri Roberts and Elis Smith added two points a piece for conversions to account for the final points tally.
Dolgellau dominated possession and territory in the second half but Rhyl, to their credit, always looked dangerous in attack and refused to throw in the towel. This was a talented and well drilled Rhyl team, who played an entertaining brand of rugby.
Dolgellau Youth take maximum points from the day, which will help enormously with our push for promotion for next season. Both Newtown and Bethesda are also in contention for the second league promotion spot and the final games of the season will become all important in deciding the final standings.
Well played boys, it was good to see so much effort from the full squad on display.
Tries: Samuel Jones, Jake Hinge, Henri Tomos Roberts, Josh Hellawell.
Cons: Henri Tomos Roberts, Elis Smith.
Pen: Henri Tomos Roberts