MATCH REPORTS

Llanidloes v Colwyn Bay Lost 15-43
Team: L Jarman, J Plumbridge, N Jerman, M Hughes, R Jones, I Jones, D Jones, B Rees, D Phillips, D Short, R Jones, R Naidoo, J Davies, J Hughes, T Davies. Subs: D Oakley, M Pugh, C Trow, M Sargant

Man of the Match: Dan Short

Llanidloes battled hard against quality opposition in Colwyn Bay. With The Bay, the only team that can prevent Caernarfon claiming the Championship, this was always going to be a hard task for the boys.
If only llani had showed as much control last week when they had the ball, as this week their decision making was far better, with MoM Dan Short reading the Bay’s defence well and asking questions most of the game.
Bay had a half time lead of 29-3 with 3 late tries after the home sides resolute defence started to tire. This was not helped with the departure of Scrum Half Darren Phillips with a broken ankle, meaning
some reorganisation with fullback Thomas Davies going to scrum half and flanker Dick Jones going to wing.
Llani’s 1st try was created and scored by their 2 outstanding players. Dan Short spotted that there was space behind the flat Bay defence, so with delicate chip and good chase Dick Jones scored under the posts.
Llani’s 2nd try was one of the best forwards tries scored by a Llani team for a long time. A lineout drive from outside the Bay’s 22 saw Llani move forward in total control all the way to the Bay line, this allowed the ever excellent Mark Sargant to score a well deserved try. With Bay’s No.12 always looking dangerous, especially with both Llani centres struggling through injuries, the Bay always had scoring opportunities.

Moment of the Match – With the introduction of veteran prop Malcy “the dump truck” Pugh, Llani pushed a competitive Bay scrum back that quick they crumbled into a heap of bodies.

Please see NEWS page for photos

Saturday April 12th

Newtown v Llanidloes Lost 13-11
Team: L Jarman, J Plumbridge, D Hughes, M Hughes, M Sargant, R Jones,
D Jones, B Rees, B Davies, D Short, S Jones, R Naidoo, J Davies, D
Phillips, T Preston. Subs: D Oakley, N Jerman, E Jones, I Jones

Man of the Match: Tom Preston

Llanidloes heartache against Newtown continued, the home team winning with a penalty kick six minutes into injury time. But Llani have only got themselves to blame with an error strewn first half and ill discipline costing them.
Credit to Newtown for the way they competed at the contact area, and Llani were always going to struggle playing against a strong wind in the 2nd half with only a lead of 4 points, and this wasn’t helped with 3 players being yellow carded. Llani did score a try with Steve Jones scoring in the corner after some slick handling by the backs, and Dan Short getting the other points. Tom Preston put in an excellent performance at fullback to get Llani’s Man of the Match.

Newtown v Llanidloes Youth 7-10

On a superb surface, the first half saw Newtown, with the wind at their backs, dominate possession and territory and they crossed the line twice but with the referee unsighted they went to the break without a score. For their part the visitors ably led by Rob Jones defended superbly with Adam Pryce adding brief respite with some huge clearance kicks.

The game swung for Llanidloes after the break as the half backs controlled the ball and territory with maturity. The first score came as sixteen year old Mathew Toms gathered a loose ball, spotted the space and put the back division away, excellent cover defence by the Newtown fullback halted Jamie Lloyd for the third time inches from the line but the Llani back row were on the front foot, and sucked in the remaining cover defence with a Dan Goodman drive allowing wing Joe Sylvester to touch down unopposed by the sticks. Shortly after Llani forwards drove to within inches of the Newtown line but had the composure to release the ball on the blind side for wing Jamie Lloyd to finally cross the whitewash. At this stage it looked all over but the home side were having none of it and a determined side created and scored an excellent try as the inside centre spotted a mismatch centre field, rounded second row Neil Cameron to score in the corner and magnificent conversion set up a tense final three minutes as Llanidloes clung on to secure the bragging rights until next season.