Fixture

This early season clash between two unbeaten top of the table sides produced an excellent display of attacking and counterattacking play with Dinbych emerging as bonus point victors as a result of dominating play in the final quarter. Dinbych had to thank the hard work of the pack in the tight where they pressurised the Bay throughout with their strong scrummaging and at the line-out where they won possession in vital positions in both attack and defence. This gave skipper Dan O’Sullivan the ability to use his pace to initiate long range counterattacks by the dangerous home backs who posed a constant threat.

Play in the opening quarter fluctuated with both sides attacking strongly but denied by good defensive play. Colwyn Bay broke the deadlock on the half hour mark after a period of pressure near the Dinbych line when outside half Kieran Thomas regathered his own chip ahead to cross for a try converted by full back Dylan Marsh Hughes. Dinbych replied with a penalty from 25 metres by skipper Dan O’Sullivan and on the stroke of half time took the lead with a try starting from a line out possession from lock Narmer EL-Lamie just inside the Bay 22. Good handling by the midfield backs allowed left wing Will Jones to go over for a try wide out which was converted by Dan O’Sullivan.

Leading by 10 points to 7 at the interval Dinbych’s ill discipline in the breakdown area in the third quarter resulted in them conceding a string of penalties allowing the Bay to regain the lead once more as Dylan Marsh Hughes punished them with two successful kicks. Midway through the half Dinbych went ahead again following heavy pressure as the forwards got close with a number of driving mauls near the Bay line with Liam Allsup forcing his way over for a try converted by Dan O’Sullivan.

Dinbych then extended their lead from a line out near the Bay line when the forwards again generated a number of short range drives before releasing the ball infield with centre Gruff Roberts injecting pace to send Will Jones over for his second try again converted by Dan O’Sullivan.  

Dinbych’s fourth and bonus point try came in the closing minutes when the pack again pressurised the visitors at a scrum near halfway. This put the Bay backs under even more pressure and allowed Gruff Roberts to intercept a loose pass before outflanking the wrong footed defence to cross in the corner for an unconverted try.