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CN EMLYN YOUTH 20 DOLGELLAU YOUTH 19

With the pre-season training completed Emlyn welcomed their North Wales counterparts to Dol-Wiber in this first round encounter in this season’s WRU Youth Bowl competition.

The watching crowd witnessed an entertaining encounter between two well drilled outfits that had contrasting styles. The Emlyn outfit preferred to adopt an open expansive style while Dolgellau preferred a direct approach using their powerful forwards by taking quick tap-penalties and driving at their opponents.

With 30 players being involved in the summer training sessions the local side selected a blend, which included 8 of last season’s Under 16 team in the match day squad. The newcomers all impressed with their enthusiasm, commitment and skill levels.

Emlyn were on top during the first 10 minutes and a sustained period of controlled possession resulted in right winger Olly BUTTERWORTH being set free on the right. The winger fended off his opponent enabling him to dive over in the corner for a well-deserved first score. The touchline conversion struck the upright.

Despite exerting early pressure Emlyn failed to turn their pressure into points during the early exchanges, despite going close on several occasions. Following some swift passing by the backs, winger Dafydd ADAMS was forced into touch in the left corner inches from the touchline.

Dolgellau’s talisman was their second row, who appeared everywhere around the park and was influential in most of his team’s best attacks.

The away side made inroads with their driving play and were rewarded with an unconverted try to level the scores. They turned down the chance of adding to their score by refusing a kickable attempt at goal, a decision which was to later prove costly.

HALF TIME SCORE : Emlyn Youth 5 Dolgellau Youth 5.

The second half started with Dolgellau pressing in the home 22 and following a kick being charged  down, gained the position which resulted in a converted try being claimed by the North Walian outfit.

The experience of being behind going into the final 20 minutes appeared to ignite the home team into action. The pack won some quick ball and swift passing by the backs resulted in Olly BUTTERWORTH being released on the opposite wing. The winger used his pace to sprint through a gap in the visitors defence to dive over in the left corner to score an unconverted try.

With Emlyn in the ascendancy and two points behind the home side showed their determination in producing a series of sustained attacks. The introduction of several replacements gave Emlyn the impetus they needed as they stepped up the tempo. During one passage of play the forwards produced a series of quick rucks before releasing their dangerous backline. The ball was passed quickly through several pairs of hands resulting in Centre Mathew ROLLINS using his strength to force his way over for an excellent score, much to the delight of the verbal home following.

The try was converted by Outside Half Crwys REES.

The restart was gathered by replacement prop Steffan JONES who set off like a rampaging buffalo driving directly at the opposition. Following an infringement, the home team were awarded a penalty 28m out. Realising that they were 5 points ahead Captain Crwys REES sensibly opted to take a shot at goal, which if successful would put his team two scores ahead. The fly half calmly stepped up to put the kick over.

With a minute remaining, indiscipline in the home ranks resulted in Dolgellau being awarded a penalty, which following an indiscretion was further penalised by the penalty being advanced 10 metres closer to the try line. Dolgellau showed a never say die attitude and drove towards the Emlyn line. They managed to re-cycle possession allowing them to cross in the left corner for a try, which was well converted.

This was however the last passage of play and the referee called time with the home side victorious and progressing into the last 32 of the competition.

The home team just about deserved the victory but the Dolgellau outfit should be proud of their afternoon’s efforts. They are a well-disciplined side and last week’s 31-10 victory over Newtown suggests that they will have a fine season.

All of the starting line-up and replacements played well during the match. The squad eagerly look forward to next week’s West Carmarthenshire League game away at Kidwelly.

Prop Tomos REES was selected as the official Man of the match.

FINAL SCORE  CN Emlyn Youth 20  Dolgellau Youth 19.