Fixture

With key players missing due to a variety of reasons Dinbych had to field a patched-up side with seven props in the match day forward squad but without a specialist hooker or line out jumpers they were up against from the start against a well drilled and highly motivated Bala unit. They also had to draft in a number of enthusiastic younger but inexperienced players at this level such as Tom Jones and Dafydd Morris. They were also grateful for the efforts of Huw Sargeant playing on permit from Shotton Steel RFC. In the circumstances they played as well as they could with the forwards able to go through phases of play whilst senior players such as skipper Lewys Eden, Joe Davies, Ben Jackson, Osian Hedd Williams, Dafydd Evans and Richard Hillier-Evans all showing up well with individual forward drives. The backs were also disrupted by absences with wingers Aidyn Jones and Kieran Bonar having to play in the centre whilst Huw Mars-Jones had to fill in at full back. With Bala dominating set piece possession the backs had few opportunities to show their attacking potential against a solid Bala defence.

Bala started strongly and opened the scoring with prop Endaf Jones going over for a try after powerful driving maul generated from outside the home 22. Outside half Dion Atherton added the conversion points. They soon added two tries from short range scrums through flanker Ceredig Puw and No.8 Ilan Rowlands with outside half Dion Atherton converting one. Dinbych then launched an attack from half way only for Bala to intercept and break away for wing Guto Roberts to go over in the corner for an unconverted try. Dinbych then had a ray of hope when Aidyn Jones used his speed to win the race to touch down for a try following a neat grubber kick by outside half Robyn Cartwright. This did not deter Bala and they closed the half with the fifth try by prop Garen Davies following a driving maul which left the visitors leading by 29 points to 5.

Bala’s dominance continued in the second half through their forwards’ driving mauls whilst their dangerous backs capitalised on any missed first up tackles or failure to clear tactical kicks. Dinbych still had opportunities to show their attacking potential with one sweeping move from long distance only foiled by desperate defence on the Bala line. But in the end relentless pressure by the visitors told as they added tries by props Endaf Jones and Luke Davies, scrum half Gethin Jones, left wing Elgan Evans and a brace by right wing Iwan Hanmer-Roberts to cap a convincing victory.