Rugby Union: Nant Conwy turn on the power in second half

Dec 1 2011

NANT CONWY 24 BETHESDA 3

SUPERIOR strength displayed by Nant Conwy in the second half was enough to secure the victory which keeps them top of WRU Division One North.

Bethesda's players fought hard in Saturday’s encounter at Trefriw, but Nant eventually proved too powerful.

The scores were equal at half time but Pesda had not capitalised on the strong wind in their favour and the home side showed more urgency with the gusts at their backs in the second stanza.

Although they defended stoutly, Bethesda yielded three tries in the second half as Nant controlled the set-pieces and their speed to the loose ball was a substantial factor in their 24-3 victory.

The only away score came from a Mathew Parry penalty at the end of the first half.

On a wet and misty day, Pesda decided to play with the strong wind in the first 40 minutes.

Both packs appeared to match each other during the first quarter before Nant Conwy full-back Carwyn ap Myrddin slotted over a penalty from distance after 23 minutes.

The powerful wind appeared to stop running rugby throughout the half, but gradually Nant’s pack became stronger.

However, in the final play before the half time whistle Pesda talisman Parry showed his prowess in landing a superb penalty kick to make it an even score at the interval, but with the elements set to be in their favour after the turnaround, many in the ground were predicting a Nant victory.

Only four minutes of the second half had been played when the Nant pack went through six phases of play on the visiting line before prop and captain Elgan Davies went over for his second try in successive matches.

Carwyn ap Myrddin kept up his excellent place-kicking form by converting from wide out on the right.

Twenty minutes remained when replacement prop Gerallt Evans picked the ball up from the base of a ruck and powered his way over for a try.
Carwyn ap Myrddin converted with a low kick with the wind.

The last quarter was played with the wind having ceased and this was the only period when open rugby was seen.

With two minutes left, Carwyn ap Myrddin completed the scoring when he joined the attacking line at an angle and touched down to score the final try, which he improved with the boot.

Nant Conwy’s next match will be a home game against Dolgellau this evening (Thursday) in the North Wales Senior Cup.

Nant Conwy seconds made it a club double by registering an 8-0 victory over Bethesda seconds.

In a tight, close-fought encounter, Nant sealed the win thanks to a try by Mark Jones and a penalty from the boot of Euros Jones.