Rugby Union: Colwyn Bay cruise against Denbigh

Mar 11 2010

WITH their bonus point 28-0 victory in this basement battle, Colwyn Bay made Denbigh’s task of escaping from the bottom rung even more difficult in the closing weeks of the season.

With honours even at the line out and with Dinbych edging the scrum battle the Bay owed their victory to the work of their forwards at the breakdown and the ground gained by their driving mauls putting Dinbych on the back foot on too many occasions. With Dinbych’s normally sound defence missing too many first up tackles this allowed the more dangerous Bay back division to exploit their advantage in the final third of the game to cross for four tries including two in injury time.

Denbigh had the better of the opening minutes and had the chances to take the lead with two early penalties which sailed wide.The Bay were looking the more likely to score as their potent back division built on their forwards breaking through on the edges of set pieces launched long range attacks which were only thwarted when they conceded penalties close to the line.

Dinbych were indebted to the long range touch kicks from outside half Dion Howatson who relieved the pressure on these occasions. Despite the Bay gaining the upper hand through their more aggressive play in the loose an error strewn first half remained scoreless as countless moves broke down because of handling errors.

The Bay eventually broke the deadlock after a quarter of an hour of the second half when Denbigh were only able to halt some rampaging Bay play close to their line. The pressure eventually told when fly-half Tom Williams sniped over at the posts from a scrum for a try which centre Adam Hughes converted.

Colwyn Bay went further ahead in the 63rd minute when they launched an attack from half way towards the right corner before switching the ball back infield to break through a disorganised Denbigh defence for prop Alex Jones to cross for a try which Hughes again converted.

Denbigh were still not without hope and now had their best period of the match as they pressed close to the Bay line with a series of lines out and scrums after full-back Jamie Winning had gone close with a break and kick and chase from halfway. But despite facing a Bay pack now short of No8 Ben Evans who was yellow carded they failed to show enough composure to make their advantage tell. The backs at last were able to string together some good attacks but failed to penetrate a sound Bay defence.

As the game entered the final minute the Bay again showed their superior driving play by the forwards as they took advantage of lax Denbigh defence to take play deep into the visitor’s 22 before spinning the ball wide where right wing Martin Cormack crossed in the corner for a try which Hughes converted with an excellent kick from the touchline. Worse was to follow in injury time as missed Denbigh tackles again allowed the Bay to take play close to the line and from a quickly taken tap penalty prop Jones was able to power over for his second try under the posts leaving Hughes the easiest of conversions to seal a comprehensive victory.

Llandudno returned to league rugby after a very lengthy layoff due to weather conditions and the Six Nations international matches, and suffered a heavy 39-7 defeat away to Pwllheli.

The visitors took an early lead with a interception try by captain Rhodri Carlton Jones who also added the conversion. However it was Pwllheli from that point on as they took control, and due to some indiscipline within the Llandudno ranks ran away with the game scoring seven tries with two conversions.

Llandudno need to win at least two more of there remaining league fixtures if they are to avoid relegation, and the next home fixture will not be easy against leaders Caernarfon.