Fixture

Dolgellau 9.v.18 Bethesda
                          [DIV 1 NORTH] 23.11.2019
 
Full back, Gethin Long, with two late penalty goals and a try in injury time sealed the points Bethesda’s way when it looked as if a courageous display from Dolgellau would provide the upset of the day, if not the season, against the high flying visitors.  

With wins at Nant, Bala and last week’s win at Pwllheli, already under their belts, and had former Dolgellau skipper, Gerwyn Thomas at no.10, Bethesda had Dolgellau encamped within their own half for long periods during the opening exchanges. Dolgellau defended heorically and half an hour had passed when a penalty lineout 5m out saw Bethesda scrum half, Carwyn Williams, squeeze through the narrowest of gaps to touchdown out on the left. Gethin Long’s conversion making it 0-7.   Dolgellau eased themselves back into the match, and proved to be more than a match for second placed visitors, and began to get the upper hand in the scrums and loose.

With five minutes of the half remaining, Dolgellau centre, Gwion Jones made it 3-7 with a penalty from over 40metres out. 

A late and high tackle on Dolgellau scum half, Lewis Jones, saw Gwion Jones reduce the deficit to a single point five minutes into a tense, entertaining and competitive second half to make it 6-7.  Long fluffed an easy penalty after ten minutes as the visitors were looking increasingly nervous, before Dolgellau deservedly went ahead after a quarter of an hour.  Bethesda prop Scott Bullock shown a yellow card for and indiscipline at the ruck, giving Gwion Jones the opportunity to make it 9-7 with his third penalty.

Dolgellau full back, Gareth Hughes thwarted Besda wing Marc Jones, but the visitors were awarded a penalty, 25 metres out with less than ten minutes remaining, and this time Gethin Long made no mistake, and Bethesda again had their noses in front at 9-10.  With less than five minutes remaining Long put over his second penalty to give them some breathing space at 9-13.

Dolgellau responded, and went in search of glory and a match winning try, but in injury time, they fluffed a blind side move and Besda No.8 Arwyn Griffith sped away up field, and the ball was worked right for Long to score right in the right corner to seal it for the visitors. 

Referee : Elliot Mayer