Fixture

In the inaugural season of the North Wales Second XV League Cup Pwllheli hosted Nant at Bodegroes on Friday evening. With both sides resisting the temptation of playing first team players the match kicked off under lights in excellent conditions. From the outset the small crowd were privileged to watch one of the best second fifteen matches seen at the Club. As one would expect for any match between these two clubs both sides gave their all. Nant took the honours early on with their forwards and backs combining well to put the pressure on Pwllheli. They took a deserved lead on sixteen minutes with a converted try. Pwllheli's ten Alan Roberts reduced the deficit with a twentieth minute penalty. With the sides fighting for supremacy the time flew by. At half time the score was Nant seven ,Pwllheli 3. The second period saw Pwllheli's pack achieve an edge in both the set plays and in rucks and mauls.They turned the screw and came close several times but the well organised Nant defence held. Against the run of play Nant scored an excellent long distance try when Pwllheli lost possession in the Nant twenty two.Again the conversion was successful which left Pwllheli fourteen to three adrift Pwllheli dug deep and pressed Nant again.On twenty two minutes Nant's defence was finally breached. With the forwards making ground on the right quick ball was released to centre Mathew Butterworth who scored. Roberts added the two points. It was now all Pwllheli but stubborn and aggressive defence kept them at bay until the thirty eighth minute. It was fitting the Pwllheli's try was scored by their second row Owain Thomas who had had an outstanding match. With Roberts adding the conversion Pwllheli were now three points ahead. Nant tried to rally and threw the kitchen sink at Pwllheli. Though there were four minutes of injury time Pwllheli held to take their place in the Final of the Cup. This was an outstanding advert for second team rugby. The standard of fitness,skills and organisation were high and it was a given that the players for both teams gave their all. Referee Simon Dignam also had a role to play as he allowed the game to flow.