Fixture

With time running out in their fight to avoid relegation Dinbych faced a difficult task at fourth placed Caernarfon. That they lost was not through lack of effort as they gave a spirited performance fighting back from a fifteen point deficit at half time to outscore their hosts in the second half to close within a score only for a try by Caernarfon at the end of normal time to deny them even a losing bonus point.

Dinbych started well edging possession in the opening ten minutes forcing the hosts to defend in their 22. Unfortunately Dinbych were unable to turn the pressure into points due to a tight Caernarfon defence but also because they spurned several scoring opportunities. Despite having to defend most of this time Caernarfon showed their attacking potential with their physicality in open play enabling them to launch counter attacks from deep. They opened the scoring in the 17th minute with their first foray into the Dinbych 22. Their mobile backrow forwards added their strength to the midfield backs to maintain a number of phases of play before flanker Dafydd Thirsk forced his way over for an unconverted try. They edged further ahead in the third quarter with a penalty by full back Guto Pierce. A young and inexperienced Dinbych pack with Logan Jones making his senior debut in the second row had to work hard in the set pieces against an aggressive Caernarfon pack who scrummaged strongly and competed effectively at the line-out. In the last minute of the half the hosts stole possession at a line out midway between halfway and the Dinbych 22 to break through down the middle ending with prop Rhodri Evans crossing for a try converted by Pierce.

Trailing by 15 points at the interval Dinbych again started well in the second half and opened their account when they counter attacked from deep in their half. Good handling in midfield gave centre Gruff Roberts to show his pace as he left defenders in his wake running in for a try from near halfway. Dan O’Sullivan added the conversion points. Dinbych continued to launch dangerous attacks through strong running by the midfield trio of Dan O’Sullivan and centres Tom Seddon and Gruff Roberts whilst Aidyn Jones always posed a danger with his broken field running. Full back Garin Roberts closed the gap further with an excellent penalty from 40 metres near the touchline. 

Caernarfon then got on top during the final quarter with Dinbych having to defend desperately to keep the hosts out as they got close to scoring in both corners mainly through the forwards attacking through short range driving mauls and pick and drives. Excellent defending kept the line intact until the final minute of normal time when eventually flanker Lewis Adcock forced has way over for a try near the posts converted by Pierce. There was still injury time remaining for Aidyn Jones to epitomise Dinbych’s spirit with a long distance break out before the final whistle.