Fixture

Dinbych performed much better than the final score suggested in facing Llandudno the reigning champions of Division 1 North. The hosts competed well in all aspects but Llandudno had the edge thanks to their bulkier and more experienced pack of forwards who exerted constant pressure in the set pieces together with their efficient work at the breakdown and good support play in the loose. This gave them the possession and territory  which enabled their back division including several with RGC credentials to capitalise on periods of pressure close to the Dinbych line with most of their seven tries coming from short range. Operating with more limited possession the Dinbych backs showed their potential in scoring three well constructed tries of their own.

After an even opening period Dinbych surprised the visitors by opening the scoring with a try in the corner by left wing Aidyn Jones after outside half Dan O’Sullivan broke on the blind side of a maul on the Llandudno 22. Midway through the half Llandudno went ahead with a try by Aaron Williams from a driving maul from a line-out near the Dinbych linewith James Andrew adding the conversion points. The visitors then capitalised on the work of their forwards gaining positions near the Dinbych line to add two further tries fromdriving mauls set up from short range line outs. From the first Harri Evans went over with Aaron Williams then adding his second try. James Andrew converted both tries leaving the visitors leading by 21 points to 5.

Llandudno extended their lead early in the second half with their fourth try from Tom Yardley bursting through tackles on a break down the blind side of a short range scrum. James Andrew again added the extras. Dinbych then came to life with an excellent try started with a searing break from halfway by centre Gruff Roberts running diagonally towards the right corner where he linked with co-centre Tom Seddon who still had to beat several covering defenders beforecrossing in the corner for an unconverted try. Llandudno again responded quickly after another period of pressure with Harri Evans crossing for his second try from possession from a short range scrum with Andrews again converting.

Dinbych refused to throw in the towel and replied with another clinical try as Gruff Roberts sliced through the Llandudno defence following a line out on the visitor’s 22. Llandudno however came back strongly with two late tries both from short range driving play by the forwards, the first by Morgan Owen which went unconverted and finally one by Lewis Glove with James Andrew adding his sixth successful conversion.