Fixture

Although they were missing eight of last week’s squad several of whom were facing long term injury lay offs Dinbych maintained the improvement in recent performances if not in the result itself in this WRU Division 1 Cup defeat against Bala. 

Responding well to acting skipper Jamie Williams’ enthusiastic leadership the forwards put in a strong shift especially in the scrums where they forced the visitors back on many occasions. They were also fiercely competitive in in the close encounters in or near the breakdown areas both in attack and defence with players such as prop Ashley Liversidge and No.8 Dave Roberts leading the way. Gareth Hargraves made a welcome return to First team rugby after last playing in 2012 although now as a flanker rather than on the wing. In the backs centre Aidyn Jones and full back Gruff Roberts were constant attacking threats with the latter also gaining ground with good tactical kicking.

However improvements can still be made with poor discipline resulting in too many unnecessary penalties in all aspects of play whilst the forwards need to secure cleaner possession from line outs and the backs could do with sharpen up their handling skills.  

Both teams battled hard against the difficult playing conditions of a strong swirling wind and sweeping rain throughout to serve up a cracking WRU Division 1 Cup tie. Bala were always in the lead but Dinbych gave a gritty performance to chip away to close to within a score at the end.

Bala had first advantage of the elements in their favour and took the lead in the fifth minute with a penalty from 40 metres by outside half Llion Jones when Dinbych were caught offside. They increased their lead with a try midway through the half by flanker Caio Roberts converted by Llion Jones after an unexpected break away through a ruck near halfway. 

Bala extended their lead further near half time with an unconverted try by prop Dylan Jones who finished off a number of driving mauls following a line out just inside the Dinbych 22. Dinbych then hit back on the stroke of half time with a try by centre Aidyn Jones who ran in from halfway to score under the posts after being fed by winger Findlay Jenkins who had snaffled up a loose ball near the touchline. Dan O’Sullivan added the conversion points. 

Trailing by 15 points to 7 at the interval Dinbych closed the gap early in the second half with a penalty from 30 metres by Dan O’Sullivan when Bala transgressed at a maul following a line out. Bala then went further ahead with a try by hooker Garin Davies who finished off  a number of short range forward drives resulting from a  counter-attack down the left hand touchline  from half way. Llion Jones added the conversion points for the visitors to lead by 22 points to 10. 

Dinbych finished strongly as they dominated territory and with their powerful scrummaging and forward drives forcing Bala to concede a string of penalties and eventually a yellow card. Despite this the Bala defence held firm until the final whistle when full back Gruff Roberts made the extra man to put debutant wing Owen Rowlands over for a try converted with a drop kick by Dan O’Sullivan.