PWLLHELI 19 NANT CONWY 17

PWLLHELI’s keenly-awaited Division One North showdown with Nant Conwy was played on Friday evening - to allow the visitors to support their Youth side, who were scheduled to play in a key Welsh Youth Cup match on the Saturday.

As it transpired, the Youth match was postponed because of the dire weather, and conditions for the senior match were not good either, with the pitch being spiked prior to kick-off.

Inevitably, it cut up during the game, but thankfully the rain held off and the wind did not have a major impact on the match, in front of a decent sized crowd.

Pwllheli yet again had a much-changed side, with no fewer than eight of their new crop of players being involved, whilst Nant also fielded a side with some promising youngsters - but spiced with some talented experienced players.

The visitors made a strong and positive start, and threatened from the outset, with the forwards and backs combining well to put Pwllheli on the back foot.

The home side held initially, but Nant centre Cai Jones found a gap in the defence on six minutes to score to the right of the posts, with the conversion missed. Pwllheli responded and within two minutes were awarded a kickable shot at the posts, but the penalty drifted wide.

Both teams’ commitment was epitomised by some uncompromising and heavy tackling, and this caused several stoppages, and an assortment of injuries. Nant continued to have the overall advantage, but it was noticeable that Pwllheli’s set scrum began to have an edge.

Nonetheless, it was the visitors who scored next, as they again they used their speedy backs well to stretch the Pwllheli cover and create an opening for centre Ifan Jones to cross over. Fly half Jac Ellis added the conversion for a 12-0 lead.

Pwllheli’s new half back partnership of Danial Williams and namesake Now Williams at No 10 made an impact - and with lock Huw Williams to the fore, the home side gradually made ground on the right.

They had to fight for every bit of possession, but after winning the ball in the Nant 22, they recycled effectively through five phases, before feeding the backline.

Fly half Now Williams made ground, before he put in a sublime pass for centre Deio Brunelli to go over under the posts, and Alan Williams’ kick then brought the deficit was down to just five points.

It was Nant who pressed first in the second period, and after only five minutes of play speedy wing Carwyn Davies was put in the clear to score a unconverted try wide out to give Nant a 10-point buffer.

Seeing that it was their pack who had the greater advantage, Pwllheli kept the ball tight and inched their way forward. Nant’s defence was well organised, but they started to concede a raft of penalties in their own 22 as the pressure mounted, before the referee rightly awarded a penalty try - reducing the gap to three points.

Pwllheli’s replacements Rhys Jones, Osian Humphreys, Eifion Pari and Bedwyr Jones added youthful exuberance and skill - and it was good to see prop Rhys Williams back after a long injury lay off.

They contributed to rejuvenating Pwllheli’s efforts, and it was veteran prop Alwyn Trenholme who crashed over from short range to give the Llyn side the lead for the first time in the match at 19-17.

The fact that there was no further scoring in the match does not reflect the intensity of play, as both teams displayed considerable defensive organisation.

Nant threw the kitchen sink at Pwllheli, but their efforts were thwarted and the home side held on for a warranted win, in a match well refereed by Elliot Mayer.

There were some fine individual performances, but the team gelled, and the focus is to continue the rebuilding process, with the considerable talent available.

Pwllheli Seconds’ match against Holyhead was called off due to the adverse weather, and the Youths’ fragmented season was further punctuated by Mold being unable to raise a team. Pwllheli’s next senior League match is not until 29 February, when they play Bethesda away.