Rugby

Bro Ffestiniog avenge earlier defeat

Swalec Division One North

Bro Ffestiniog 25

Mold 18

BRO FFESTINIOG overcame the challenge of third-placed Mold to notch their sixth win in the Swalec Division One North.
The home side dominated for the first 40 minutes, and although the visitors rallied after the break, it was Bro who held on for a deserved win in what turned out to be a fine encounter for the home supporters.
It was the home side that opened the scoring straight from the kick-off when Mold scrum half Hopkins returned the ball straight to Bro’s winger Owen Roberts, who then outstripped his opposite number to cross over an unconverted try.
From the restart, Mold found themselves in Bro’s 22 and from a slick move by their backs Hopkins made amends for his earlier lapse to score another unconverted try.
Within 10 minutes of play the visitors had a chance to take the lead when the Bro backs were penalised for not releasing the ball, but Ashley James’s kick went wide.
Minutes later, Barry Roberts kicked Bro Ffestiniog back in front after the visiting side’s backs were caught offside, and then from a scrum 20 metres from the Mold line Lee Aspen, on receiving the ball from Aron Roberts, outwitted the Mold defence to cross over for an unconverted try.
Ashley James kept Mold in the match with a penalty kick, before Bro took total control and full back Daniel Jones, having done all the hard work, then dropped the ball with the try line at his mercy.
The visitors missed another penalty on the half hour mark and were made to pay when Bro got the best try of the match. The ball was won in midfield and a delicate kick by centre Barry Roberts to the wing found Owen Roberts, who was on hand to go over for an unconverted try.
Still there was time for the home side to score their fourth try and gain a valuable bonus point. From a scrum five metres out, which was awarded after Mold had taken the ball over their own line, Bro’s No 8 Tom James picked up the ball and drove at the Mold defence, and got the try.
Lee Aspen converted, giving Bro a 25-8 lead at the break, having played one of their best halves of rugby this season.
Whatever the Mold coach said to his team during the interval had an effect on his side’s performance in the second period, and after just four minutes they went over for their second try through their No 8 A Ellis. Ashley James also missed another penalty as Bro were forced to defend.
Midway through the half Ellis made amends by scoring his side’s third try, but not before Bro had gone close through Elfyn Jones and Daniel Jones. Although Bro missed a penalty late on there were no further points added to the scoreboard as Bro avenged the 41-12 defeat that they suffered at Mold earlier in the season.
• With one player short, Bro Seconds lost 22-12 at Benllech, having also lost 7-5 at Bethesda where Shane Jones scored.