Fixture

Players and supporters observed a minute's silence to show their respect for Pwllheli player Robin Llyr Evans who tragically died in an accident last week while working in China. Conditions were perfect for rugby . Once again the support for the Lleyn side matched that of the home team . With both teams missing key players it was a difficult outcome to call. Both sides started with the expected commitment and Pwllheli edged the opening exchanges. Their scrum held up well and in the lines out Pwllheli's eight Tom Billington Parry took some crucial opposition ball.With each side very organised in defence the game was tight with few early line breaks of note. Pwllheli edged ahead with a penalty on twelve minutes from wing Osian Parry Jones who was starting a game for the first time this season following a pre season injury. Two minutes later astute kicking took Nant into the Pwllheli twenty two. A quick release from a ruck put Pwllheli on the back foot and Nant's number ten Delwyn Jones took full advantage to scythe through for a good score. Jones added the conversion. The Lleyn side countered and looked threatening but Nant's defence was structured and effective. However on twenty four minutes in they were able to stretch the Nant cover. They created a two on one on Pwllheli's right. The pass to the wing ,who then had a clear run to the line, was deliberately knocked on by Nant's left wing. He was yellow carded and somehow referee decided that a try would probably not have been awarded and did not give a penalty try. Pwllheli were camped on Nant's line from the ensuing five minutes. Twice they were held up over the line and a Nick Butterworth attempt was not given by the unsighted referee. The home side relieved the pressure and cleared their lines. On thirty five minutes centre Deio Brunelli was yellow carded but as it was it was Pwllheli who scored next with a forty first minute penalty from Osian P. Jones. The half time score was Nant seven, Pwllheli six. The second period saw Nant giving Pwllheli problems in the lines out but Pwllheli at least matched the home side in every other aspect of play. Pwllheli made effective use of the driving maul. After six minutes Pwllheli's took on the heavier Nat pack and drove towards their line. Flanker Caron Roberts got his first touch down of the season after six minutes.Once again there was a quick riposte from Nant. This time it was a penalty from Delwyn Jones who reduced his side's deficit to a single point.Both sides went through the phases but Nant were again caught offside in a ruck. Pwlheli's ten, Manu Acebo, slotted the penalty . On fourteen minutes Pwllheli slipped off two early would be tackles and gave Nant's speedy centre Sion Pringle space. He outpaced the cover to score an excellent individualist try. The touchline conversion from Delwyn Jones was top notch and took Nant into a seventeen to fourteen lead. It was now Pwllheli's need to respond and they did so on eighteen minutes with a neat narrow angled penalty from Manu Acebo to tie the scores. The teams cancelled each othe rout over the next twenty minutes but Pwllheli had the opportunity to win the match with the last kick of the game. Osian P.Jones' half way line kick drifted wide and the final whistle went. Both Clubs will be satisfied with the result particularly as their nearest threats all dropped points. Pwllheli's First XV host Mold at Bodegroes on Saturday, the seconds are away to Bethesda and the Youths are home to Ruthin.