Fixture

COBRA 20.v.15 Dolgellau
                             [Div 1North ] 11.09.2019
 
With both these local rivals suffering defeat on the opening weekend of the new season, one sensed that there was a little more to play for, other than local bragging rights, resulting in a finely balanced contest from the start, that could have ended either way.
 
The opening exchanges were pretty even, Dolgellau stand-off, Gwion Jones, scoring his first points for the senior XV with a penalty after 5 minutes, that clipped the crossbar on it’s way over.  Cobra stand-off Will Worthington equalised five minutes later with his first penalty.  Worthington edged Cobra ahead after seventeen minutes,
but straight from the kick-off they were penalised at the breakdown, giving Gwion Jones the chance to level the scores at 6-6, this time the ball went over via the left post.
 
Clear cut chances were rare, but Dolgellau hooker, Eon Williams and centre Jac Roberts, carved an opening for outside centre, Geraint Owen, who seemed to have the pace to make it to the corner, but he chipped ahead and the chance went begging. Cobra looked dangerous around the fringes, and following a forward drive, home no.08 Jack Jukes powered his way over for the try. Worthington converted to give the hosts a 13-6 lead on the half hour. However Gwion Jones brought the visitors right back into contention with his 3rd penalty, with only two minutes of the half remaining.
 
Dolgellau were beginning to make inroads at the start of the second half, but had to rely on the boot of Gwion Jones to make it 13-12 after nine minutes, and then put them ahead with his fifth penalty after a quarter of an hour. However Cobra responded, and following a flurry of penalties that Cobra decided to put into the corners, their reward came. First no.8, Jack Jukes making headway, before Worthington’s loop pass over the Dolgellau cover saw left wing Richard Jones dart over for what turned out to be the match winner with fifteen minutes remaining.  Worthington added the conversion to make it 20-15.
 
Dolgellau responded, and a frantic ending saw them pressing hard, but Cobra held out for the win and four precious points, whilst Dolgellau can take a lot of positives from their 2nd half showing.