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Rugby: Abergele boost title challenge

Dec 24 2008 By Tim Channon

ABERGELE cemented their top two place and maintained their championship challenge in Division 6 North with a hard-fought 20-7 victory over Harlech at Pentre Mawr.

Despite Harlech’s lowly league position they impressed throughout, but with a new half back partnership of Jamie Batey and Gareth Evans prompting their attacks, Gele were able to open up a 10-0 lead at half-time.

When they opted to run the ball rather than kicking for goal from a penalty, No 8 Gareth Blythin went over under the posts from a quick ruck, and Gareth Evans added the conversion plus a penalty a few minutes later.

Harlech hit back with a well-taken try in the second half, but with the scrum looking solid and the lineout providing a sound platform for possession, Evans added another penalty before some structured forward drives allowed Mattie Lynam to claim the second try as he collapsed over the line with team-mate Sion Edwards, and Evans again converted.

Lynam was close to adding a further try as Abergele chased a bonus point, but he was adjudged to have been held up over the line.

Abergele’s next match is at home to Fflint on January 6.