Fixture

In a match of fluctuating fortunes a Dinbych side depleted by a growing list of injured players dominated Caernarfon both in possession and territorially to lead at the end of the first quarter. They were gradually overhauled by a well balanced and confident Caernarfon team by half time, who then eased away in the second half to gain a convincing bonus point victory.

Dinbych started well keeping Caernarfon pinned deep in their own half and they opened the scoring in the 9th minute with a try by outside half and skipper Dan O’Sullivan who added the conversion. Midway through the half they went further ahead when centre Gruff Roberts ran in a second but unconverted try. In this initial period the Dinbych forwards had gone well with excellent set piece possession in the line-outs especially from lock Dan North and No.8 Jamie Williams backed up by a solid scrum platform. They also competed strongly in the loose with prop Joe Davies leading the way with aggressive driving play.

Caernarfon worked their way into the game kicking well to relieve defensive positions and opened their scoring in the 25th minute after kicking a penalty to touch five metres from the Dinbych line. From the resulting line out the Caernarfon pack generated a powerful driving maul which yielded an unconverted try. Caernarfon then drew level when a Dinbych attack broke down in the home half for the hosts to break out and sweep downfield for a converted try.

In the dying moments of the first half a number of missed tackles by the Dinbych defence allowed Caernarfon to again break through for a converted try to take the lead for the first time and leaving them ahead by 19 points to 12 at the interval.

Caernarfon edged further ahead right at the start of the second half with a penalty and then added two converted tries in ten minutes, the first taking advantage of missed tackles and the second by the forwards from a short range line out. This took their lead to 36 points to 17. Dinbych responded well and reduced the deficit when Dan O’Sullivan burst through the Caernarfon defensive line in the 22 to cross for his second but unconverted try.

Caernarfon then finished the game strongly capitalising on errors from a tiring Dinbych defence to cross for three converted tries to give them a convincing victory. This was rough justice for a patched up Dinbych side containing several young and inexperienced players including Dan Edwards and Guto Parry in the forwards, and backs Luke Jones, Jack Williams, Owain Fisher and Evan Hurlow balanced by old warhorse Narmer EL-Lamie making his first start of the season who competed well for long periods against a side fighting strongly with Nant Conwy for the league title.