Fixture

This ‘Development Team’ fixture was a mismatch from the start in that the Dinbych side was the 2nd XV whilst the visitors had a sprinkling of First teamers in their ranks. One of these was the game’s outstanding player in outside half Dan Lynskey whose contribution was to score a hat trick of tries and six conversions giving him a match total of 26 points – almost the difference in points between the teams.

After early sparring the visitors opened the scoring in the 8th minute when Dan Lynskey cut through the Dinbych defence from 15 metres following a short range line out and then adding the conversion points. Dinbych responded well with a try of their own after 15 minutes when lock Narmer EL-Lamie crossed for an unconverted try after a number of short range pick and drives by the forwards. Shotton then increased their lead in the 26th minute when flanker Richard Smith crossed for a try from a quickly taken tap penalty with Lynskey adding the conversion points with a drop goal. He then added two further conversions to tries late in the half, one of which he scored himself from a solo effort from just inside the Dinbych half.

Leading by 28 points to 5 at the interval Shotton went further ahead early in the second half when Lynskey scored his hat trick try after picking up a loose ball in front of the Dinbych posts when a relieving kick had been charged down. Lynskey added the conversion points but Shotton were then frustrated by a good  defensive effort by Dinbych and were unable to add to their tally until midway through the half when a rare missed tackle allowed the visitors in for an unconverted try. Shortly after they had to work much harder for their final try when excellent defence by Dinbych stopped a long distance attack just short of the line only for the visitors to score in the corner when the ball was recycled. Lynskey again added the conversion. 

Dinbych were undaunted by the mounting scoreline and showed their character by dominating the final ten minutes and getting two converted tries to give the scoreline some semblance to the closeness of the play for much of the game. Outside half Tom Evans broke through for a try which he also converted then Dinbych scored the try of the match with a sweeping move from half way first involving the forwards and ending with full back Dafydd Cartwright going over in the corner for a try converted with an excellent conversion from the touchline by Tom Evans.

For Dinbych props Callum Taylor and Richard Hillier-Evans were the cornerstones of a fine performance by the pack in the scrums whilst centre Reeve Wright playing on permit was a handful whenever he was in possession. Backs Dafydd Morris and Nathan Maguire showed up well in promising debuts in the senior ranks against tough opponents.