Fixture

Division 2 North  Saturday 6th April 2019

Dolgellau move up to second, and are now just a point behind leaders Cobra, but they had to overcome a nervous start against their Mid-Wales rivals. However, once their threequarters started to show their mettle there was going to be just one winner, but they were assisted by three yellow cards for the visitors’ poor discipline that saw them down to 14 men for half an hour of this contest.

Newtown started with purpose, their bulky forwards making inroads, and Dolgellau were under pressure. After three minutes they went ahead with centre Gareth Williams slotting over a penalty for a high tackle.  It was 0-6 after fourteen minutes as Williams added his second penalty after Dolgellau were caught holding on in a ruck situation.  Newtown were down to 14 already for their 1^st yellow, and after twenty minutes their 2^nd yellow came, and this time Dolgellau took full advantage. From the penalty lineout, a clean catch by no8 Dewi Thomas and the home eight powered over with hooker, Eon Williams emerging with the score and make it 5-6. Four minutes later, Dolgellau wing, James Owen’s pace led to stand-off Dafydd Roberts finding skipper, Rhys Roberts to crash over and give Dolgellau the lead. On the half hour mark hooker Eon Williams started a swift counter attack, scrum half, Lewis Jones, and full-back Elis Smith combined to put in centre Gareth Hughes for their third try.  James Owen converted to make the score 17-6.

Dolgellau were rampant at this point, and even as the visitors were back to full compliment, they were powerless to stop prop, Greg Smithies, and Eon Williams putting in left wing Rob Pugh for the try that gave Dolgellau a bonus point with a minute of the half remaining. From the re-start, Rob Pugh darted up the left touchline, and his inside pass to flanker Iwan Pugh was perfect, but the flanker still had plenty to do before outpacing the cover and crashing over, and make it 26-6 at half time.

With Newtown again down to 14 at the start of the 2^nd half Dolgellau hooker Eon Williams crossed for his second of the game making the score 32-6 with ten minutes gone. Six minutes later a great individual effort by Newtown stand-off, Dylan Leach, who broke from half way to sprint away and avoid several tackles for the try. Dolgellau’s Rob and Iwan Pugh combined neatly to put in replacement wing, Jake Hinge for Dolgellau’s seventh try, before Newtown Prop  Ashley Paget barged over and make it 37-16 with ten minutes remaining.

A long clearance from Dolgellau scrum half, Lewis Jones, saw replacement centre, Carwyn Pugh win the chase with pace to cross for their eighth try, but the last word came to the visitors. Camped on the Dolgellau line, a raft of penalties resulted in the inevitable penalty try, which comes with automatic conversion to end the scoring and the match at 42 to 23 to the in-form hosts.

Dolgellau have Llanidloes at home next week.

Referee: Dylan Llyr Jones [Pwllheli]

PS : Spare a though for Dolgellau stalwart  Dylan Llewelyn, on his 40^th birthday, as he  fluffed a great opportunity to score a deserved try mid-way through the 2^nd half when he was hauled down  within sight of the Newtown line.  He also fluffed a conversion attempt and was shown a yellow card with five minutes remaining.