Fixture

Despite outscoring the visitors by five tries to four and leading for virtually all the match Dinbych had victory snatched from their grasp as a  COBRA team which competed fiercely throughout turned the tables with a two tries in the final minutes when Dinbych were reduced in number by a yellow carding. This gave the visitors a bonus point victory with Dinbych just having the consolation of two bonus points for their efforts.

Playing with a stiff breeze in their favour Dinbych started strongly and opened the scoring after only seven minutes when they attacked from a line out just outside the COBRA 22 and created space for right wing Kieran Bonar to beat the defence on a touchline run to go over in the corner for an unconverted try. The hosts increased their lead just three minutes later when flanker Gwern Pierce was on hand to finish off a break from a scrum just inside the Dinbych half by centre Gruff Roberts by crossing at the posts for a try converted by outside half Dan O’Sullivan. COBRA countered through the powerful driving play by their forwards often using the quick possession from their efficient work at the breakdown. Dinbych however went further ahead after half an hour attacking close to the COBRA line when left wing Gethin Williams twisted over in the corner for an unconverted try. COBRA eventually opened their account in first half injury time after a period of heavy pressure near the Dinbych line when outside half Cian Roberts went over for a try converted by centre Llew Williams.

Trailing by 17 points to 7 at the interval COBRA closed the gap further early in the second half again after a period of short range pressure when lock Lloyd Bright forced his way over for a try converted by Llew Williams. A quarter of an hour into the half Williams then drew COBRA level with a penalty when Dinbych offended at a scrum. Dinbych responded quickly with a long distance counter attack from itheir own 22 by Dan O’Sullivan with Gruff Roberts finishing off in style running in from half way for a try converted by Dan O’Sullivan. The hosts continued to concede penalties with Llew Williams again closing the gap to four points at 24-20 with a successful kick from 30 metres when Dinbych were caught offside. 

The versatile Robyn Cartwright playing at scrum half then edged Dinbych further ahead when he intercepted a pass from a line out near half way outpacing a surprised COBRA defence for a fine solo try converted with a good kick by Dan O’Sullivan. With the match entering the final quarter heavy pressure near the Dinbych line resulted in Dinbych being reduced to fourteen with a yellow card for not rolling away after a tackle near the line. The short range pressure was rewarded when Llew Williams crossed for a try which he converted himself. In the final minutes and only four points behind COBRA continued to pressurise Dinbych near to their line. Despite a tremendous defensive effort by the hosts a series of short range pick and drives finally led to lock Bryn Edwards forcing his way over from the side of a maul for the winning try to finish off a pulsating encounter.