ABERGELE 10
DINBYCH 5
DISAPPOINTED Dinbych found themselves the victims of some late drama in a weekend defeat.
After an excellent first half display when they played against a strong wind and only conceded three points, Dinbych then failed to use the elements in their favour in the second half.
Following a stubborn defensive display, Abergele countered late in the half to snatch a penalty try leaving Dinbych with too little time to recover.
Abergele played with a strong wind at their backs in the first half and soon used it to effect to take play deep into the Dinbych 22.
They took the lead in the seventh minute when scrum half A J Robshaw struck a penalty from 20 metres when Dinbych went offside at a scrum.
As the half progressed Dinbych were the more adventurous side as they built up attacks from their half, with half backs Rob Schrimshaw and Andy McCord, plus centre John Winning making good ground and the forwards gained yardage with pick-and-go drives with lock Max Sharples - returning after a long absence through injury - punching holes in the first line defence around the fringes.
When Abergele were in possession, Dinbych’s aggressive defence gave them little leeway to mount any attacks, but the strong wind enabled them to relieve pressure with long tactical kicks downfield and forcing Dinbych to work hard to make ground again.
Midway through the half, Dinbych suffered a blow when skipper Geraint Madoc Jones had to retire with a shoulder injury being replaced by Iwan ‘Frith’ Roberts, who was soon in the thick of the action in his typical bulldozing style.
Dinbych did not help their cause by conceding too many penalties, one of which resulted in Iwan Roberts being yellow carded.
Abergele, however, opted not to kick for goal on several occasions and with Dinbych’s defence holding fast the interval arrived with the hosts just three points ahead.
With the wind now in their favour, Dinbych were soon on the attack and took the lead after only six minutes of the second half following heavy pressure deep in the Abergele 22, where Andy McCord scrambled over for an unconverted try from a maul near the right hand corner.
It was now Dinbych’s turn to dominate territorially and it seemed only a matter of time before they would start to rack up the points. Despite several close efforts with lock Warren Edwards denied a try for a double movement on the line and full back George Owen being forced into touch inches from the line, Abergele’s defence showed their strength in holding out.
As the half progressed Abergele began to edge the scrums, making it difficult for Dinbych to gain quality possession and putting Rob Schrimshaw under intense pressure, which meant the away team were unable to use the wind as effectively as they should.
In the final minutes, Abergele worked their way upfield from deep in their 22 through innumerable phases of play as they kept possession whilst making small gains of ground despite strong tackling by Dinbych.
Eventually, when Dinbych were penalised they kicked to touch and then developed a driving maul to take play to the opposition line.
Although Dinbych defended strongly at a number of scrums and rucks near their line, they eventually conceded a penalty try as the referee lost patience with them.
Robshaw added the easy conversion.
With the match now in injury time, Dinbych mounted a final attack and were awarded a penalty on the Abergele 22.
Iwan Roberts took it quickly and was only halted on the line by a desperate defence.
The ball was recycled quickly and it was flanker Dave Roberts’ turn to drive for the line, but Abergele survived until the final whistle.