Rhyl started this final with great tempo and looked determined to show that the recent league game between these two sides should hold no significance in this fixture. Indeed, it was Rhyl who exerted the early pressure and were rewarded with a penalty award and an opportunity to take the lead after five minutes which was just wide of the posts. In the ninth minut it was Llandudno who scored the first points of the game, a try by James Gregson, converted by Luke Jones after a great break by their big second row to give a scoreline of 7-0 to Llandudno. Both sides had their fair share of possession for the next period of the game until Llandudno made a breakthrough with James Gregson scoring his second try of the game after twenty one minutes to put Dudno further ahead at 12-0. From the re-start, Llandudno secured the ball and forced their way upfield, forcing Rhyl to infringe and give Luke Jones the easiest of penalties to give Llandudno a decisive 15-0 lead after twenty two minutes of the half. Some Rhyl pressure followed and they again had the chance with a penalty kick to score their first points but the attempt was wide. With possession even and neither side getting within range of a try scoring opportunity, Llandudnos next attempt at a score was after thirty five minutes of the half with a long range penalty which went wide of the posts. At this point in the game Rhyl were enjoying lots of possession and their backs were looking to run the ball at every opportunity. The only downside for Rhyl was that they were constantly stopped in their tracks by Llandudnos defence before they got in to the opposition half. With half time approaching it was Llandudno who went further ahead with a penalty, again scored by Luke Jones, to increase Dudnos lead to 18-0 at the interval. Rhyl started the second half with all guns blazing and after just a couple of minutes they burst through some poor defence for Paul Selwood to score under the posts, converted by Lewis Weaver to bring the score to 18-7. Fifteen minutes in to the half and a mass brawl close to the touchline left a number of injured players receiving treatment, resulting in a yellow each for Llandudnos Luke Jones and Rhyls Andrew Evans and red for Rhyls Callum Morris. Despite their disadvantage in numbers on the field, it was Rhyl who continued to press forward and enjoying the lions share of possession. However, a great piece of skill by Llandudno saw a chip ahead chased and caught for a great try under the posts, converted by David Davies to give Llandudno some breathing space and a lead of 25-7. With six minutes to go, Llandudno showed some of the skills that have been on display throughout the season to put the game beyond Rhyls reach with a try scored by David Davies, converted by Luke Jones to make it Rhyl 7 v Llandudno 32. The game finished with Rhyl pressurising but unable to cut the deficit and Llandudnos excellent season continued as they increased their collection of silverware northwalesruc.pitchero/news/llandudno-32-v-rhyl-7---match-report-6049/
Posted on: Mon, 05 May 2014 07:34:33 +0000