DINBYCH 28 PWLLHELI 24(Agg 28-84)
WRU NORTH WALES CUP
WHILST failing to offset the 60-point deficit from the North Wales Cup first leg encounter against
Pwllheli, Dinbych showed great resilience and character to gain revenge for that defeat. Russ Rowlands’
side came from behind to win on the day after trailing 24-3 at the half-hour mark.
A well-deserved victory was secured when replacement flanker Ywain Howatson plunged over for the
winning try in the dying minutes. This victory will give great confidence to Dinbych whose season
continues to be beset by a catalogue of injuries which has decimated the side but has given the
opportunity for others to step up at a higher level.
Pwllheli threatened to carry on in similar vein to their impressive performance in the first leg
as they built a substantial lead in the first quarter through the driving play of their forwards and
the incisive running of their dangerous back division, well marshalled by outside-half Dylan Llyr.
Dinbych weathered the storm, gradually coming more into the match and owing their victory in the end
to their increasing dominance in the scrums.
Pwllheli opened the scoring after six minutes when second row Huw Williams touched down for an
unconverted try after a driving maul from a lineout in the Dinbych 22. They increased their lead five
minutes later when full back Gethin Roberts took a crash ball on the right side of a scrum 20 metres
out to go over for a try converted by Dylan Llyr.
Dinbych got on the scoreboard in the 14th minute when outside-half Llion Edwards was successful with
a penalty from 25 metres. Pwllheli went further ahead midway through the half when scrum-half Jamie
Winning had a kick charged down at a scrum 40 metres out for his opposite number Tomos Henry Williams
to gather and touch down under the posts leaving an easy conversion for Llyr.
Worse was to follow in the 27th minute when Huw Williams went over for his second unconverted try
from another driving maul from a short-range lineout which gave the visitors a 21-point lead.
Dinbych began their comeback in the final 10 minutes of the half when tireless flanker Gavin Rizzi
was unlucky not to be awarded a try in the corner. After outpacing the Pwllheli defence he touched
down in the corner of the in-goal area, but the referee was unsighted and unable to confirm his score.
Dinbych were not to be denied as Llion Edwards pegged back the deficit with his second penalty.
After heavy pressure near the Pwllheli line Jamie Winning broke away to the left on a diagonal run
before giving wing George Owen the chance to beat the covering defence in the corner for an unconverted
try. Trailing 24-11 at the interval Dinbych cut the deficit further in the opening minutes of the
second half when Llion Edwards kicked his third penalty after a high tackle halted an attack just
inside the Pwllheli 22.
Although the visitors continued to look dangerous their attacks were nullified by vigorous defence
around the fringes and midfield, and right wing Dan O’Sullivan showed great defensive qualities with
some try-saving tackles. Dinbych were becoming increasingly dominant both in terms of territory and
possession mainly through their powerful scrummaging where replacement prop Paul Roberts provided a
solid cornerstone.
Dinbych capitalised on a period of intensive pressure near the Pwllheli line when back row forward
Bryn Rowlands touched down after a controlled scrummage drive. Llion Edwards converted with an
excellent kick from a wide angle to take Dinbych within three points of the visitors. With time
running out Dinbych capped a fine fightback by putting Pwllheli under more intense pressure at a scrum
just short of the line.
Replacement flanker Ywain Howatson, reacting quickest after the ball squirted out of the retreating
scrum, pounced to claim the touchdown for the winning try which Llion Edwards again converted with an
excellent kick.
Courtesy Denbighshire Free Press