Rugby Union: Nant Cowny manage vital win over rivals

Oct 8 2009

NANT CONWY 20 CAERNARFON 9

WRU Division One North

NANT Conwy are refusing to get ahead of themselves as they hunt down a second consecutive Division One North crown despite continuing their 100% start to the season with victory over title rivals Caernarfon.

After five wins from five, Nant sit in second place – one point behind fellow unbeaten side Mold – heading into this Saturday’s clash at Llangefni.

And assistant coach Mark Jones is not taking anything for granted this weekend as his side search for a sixth straight win on the island.

"Llangefni is always a tough place to go," he said. "We always have very tough and close games over there and it’s almost like a derby match with the healthy rivalry that the two clubs have.

"The two clubs have always got on very well with each other, and we know exactly what to expect on Saturday. They like to pressure teams and they like to play a good fast style of rugby and the game tend to be very exciting encounters. We just have to go there and play the way we know we can."

Nant continued their excellent start to the season last weekend with a hard earned 20-9 win at home over the previously unbeaten Cofis.

The match proved to be a real war of attrition, with both sides making a host of mistakes in a stop-start affair.

Nant took the lead after three minutes when fly-half Llywarch ap Myrddin fired over a penalty, and then converted the first try of the game scored by No8 and captain Carwyn Ellis, who took a quick penalty to dive over.

Kelvin Morris replied with two penalties before half time to bring the visitors back into the contest, but it was the home side who extended their advantage 10 minutes into the second half when they were awarded a penalty try following a host of scrums close to the Caernarfon line.

Ap Myrddin missed the extras, and then saw Morris slot over his third penalty of the afternoon to bring Caernarfon to within one score at 15-9 and on the verge of a bonus point.

But that was snatched away from them when ap Myrddin broke free in the final minute following constant pressure on the Nant line, and after he regathered his kick ahead, dived over in the corner to wrap up the win and ensure Caernarfon left Trefriw with nothing.

Jones added: "It was a solid win, that’s really the only way to describe the match.

"There wasn’t exactly a lot of rugby played by both sides, and I suppose you’d call it a game of attrition.

"But I think we dominated the game and I would also say we fully deserved the victory.

"Last season Caernarfon came to our place and beat us in exactly the same way – by putting pressure on us and grinding down the win.

"This year it was us who did it to them. It was a tough game as we expected, but the young players in our side certainly stood and were counted, and that is very pleasing."

Nant Conwy seconds claimed a 27-12 win at Wrexham, running in five tries in the victory.

Barry Wanklyn (2), Sion Roberts (2) and Aaron Hughes all crossed for tries in the victory, while Hughes also added one conversion.

Nant Conwy youth went down 28-8 at home to Caernarfon.