Fixture

Pwllheli made the long journey down to Skewen in poor weather which meant that the planned 2.00 kick off was postponed by thirty minutes. They knew that Skewen had not lost at home at all this season and were lying second in Division one West Central. As it was Pwllheli made a wonderful start. After only two minutes Osian Parry Jones converted a long range penalty but missed with another attempt two minutes later. On six minutes Pwllheli gathered a loose clearance kick by Skewen in their own half. An excellent counter and pass by fly half Owain Williams put wing Osian P.Jones clear and he beat the cover to score. Rattled by Pwllheli's start Skewen regrouped. Their excellent half backs put Pwllheli on the back foot with some probing kicks and sniping darts. The far heavier Skewen pack trundled towards the Pwllheli line and on twelve minutes they broke the Pwllheli defence with a short range score.

The following thirty minutes saw both sides put in some shuddering tackles. Skewen attempted to use their huge centre to punch holes but Pwllheli held. The Llyn side's backs looked good with ball in hand but possession was limited. The taller and heavier Skewen forwards had the edge in the set pieces but Pwllheli's eight more than matched them in the loose.The half time score came with Pwllheli retaining their eight points to five lead.

With the pitch surface holding up well both sides tried to play rugby.  Skewen had the bulk of possession but reverted to a tight game controlled by their half backs. Their second try come in the eighth minute of the half Once again the score came from the power of their pack as they eventually broke the Pwllheli defence after a series of short range lunges. The successful conversion put them in the lead for the first time. Pwllheli were not done. Pwllheli's back line threatened whenever they had the ball. On seventeen minutes Pwllheli moved the ball left and quick inter-passing put centre John Pugh clear to socre wide out. The conversion attempt drifted narrowly wide. Three minutes later they opened up the Skewen cover and seemed certain to score but the supporting player was unable to hold on to the pass. Ten minutes went by with Skewen pressing but Pwllheli tackling everything that moved. On thirty one minutes Pwllheli seemed to have won clean ball in loose play but were penalised. The ensuing kick put Skewen in the red zone and another forward drive was too much for Pwllheli as they crossed for their third short range try. The conversion gave them a nineteen to thirteen lead. Pwllheli continued to give 100% but a thirty seventh minute penalty by Skewen put the match beyond their reach.

Overall Skewen deserved their victory and Pwllheli wish them well in the next round. The tempo and physicality of the rugby played at Skewen was fierce and if there were regular contact between the North and South Wales teams it would surely improve standards up here in the North. It is sad that North/South fixtures are a rare event. Pwllheli's young side will have learned a lot from this experience and will be the better for it.

The hospitality by Skewen RFC was much appreciated by all as were the sights and sound of Wind Street Swansea on a Saturday night.

On Saturday Pwllheli host Llandudno RFC at Bodegroes. As always the kick off is at 2.30. With our away loss at Llandudno being our only defeat in the first half of the season the players and coaches know they will have to work hard to get the much needed win. Their experience at Skewen will give them some encouragement as they took a fine Division One side to the wire. Please come and support the team.