Rugby Union: Nant Conwy snatch victory with late try

Sep 11 2008 By Tim Channon

A TRY by flanker Arwyn Owen six minutes from time snatched an 13-10 opening day victory for Nant Conwy in a scrappy game at Bala in the WRU Division 1 North last Saturday.

The Conwy Valley side, who are being captained by Elgan Davies this season, had led 8- 0 in the first half.

Full-back Grant Jones scored a well-worked try, after good inter-play with Ioan Davies, the club’s new wing signing from Llangefni, and centre Carwyn ap Merddyn, who has come up from the youth team, added a penalty.

But twice in the space of five minutes Bala charged down attempted clearance kicks to score tries through outside-half George Davies and second row Brian Roberts to took an 10- 8 lead.

Nant Conwy put on a lot pressure in the closing stages and after Grant Jones had been brought down just short of the line after a strong run into the Bala 22, they forced three scrums on the line before Owen gained possession to score the winning try.

"Both teams looked a bit rusty in the difficult conditions, but we’ve got quite a young side this year and it was good to get an early win under our belts – especially at Bala which is always a tough place to go," said Nant coach Elwyn Williams.

Nant are at home this Saturday to Denbigh, who came from 16-5 down to draw 16-16 with Ruthin last weekend.

LACK of experience is going to be a handicap for LLANDUDNO this season and they suffered an early blow in their opening day 24-10 defeat to Mold when they lost captain Stef Woodend with a hamstring injury.

With the average age of the side only around 20, Llandudno have some exciting young players in the backs, but lack experience in the forwards and that told in the second half against a Mold side who are expected to be among the title challengers this season.

All Llandudno’s points came from full-back Lloyd Owen with a try, conversion and penalty, while Mold won with tries from wing Ritchie Hopkins, flanker Roland Whalley, No 8 Gavin Taylor and flanker Ian Clewarth, amd two conversions by outside-half Dan Edmunds.

Llandudno travel to Ruthin this Saturday.

COLWYN BAY had their opening game at Dolgellau washed out by the weather and hope to get underway at home to Bala this Saturday.