Adroddiadau Gemau - Match Reports
Nantgaredig v Penybanc
Division 6 West
Nantgaredig 21- Penybanc 18
Old rivals Penybanc visited Nantgaredig eager to make light of their uncharacteristically low league position. Nantgaredig knew that they would have a tough game on their hands and for much of it the League leaders were not in the game. Penybanc started strongly, playing a narrow game with a mix of pick and drive and penetration through the centres. Nantgaredig defended this well for a period but eventually Penybanc drove over from close range for an unconverted try. Nantgaredig pulled 3 points back through a penalty. Nantgaredig were making unforced errors putting pressure on themselves and Penybanc took advantage to score a well worked try out wide. Nant were winning very little possession and the frustration showed as they lost JG Philipps to the naughty step for repeated infringement in the red zone. Penybanc stretched their lead with a penalty but were unable to make the extra man count and back at full strength Nant were able to narrow the gap with a penalty to leave it 6-13 at half time.
With the game evenly balanced Penybanc seized the advantage when they out thought the Nant defence with a lineout ploy and scored in the corner. The unconverted score put the Tigers 12 points ahead and in control. Nantgaredig kept their heads and chipped away with another penalty and as the forwards began to gain more impetus they were able to pin Penybanc in their own half. A loose kick from defence was run back hard and a good forward interplay and quick recycle saw Shane Griffiths dive under the posts for a try converted by Meirion Davies to put Nantgaredig right back in the game. With only two points in it and the game ticking down Nantgaredig kept piling on the pressure but repeatedly let Penybanc off the hook by their own mistakes. However the pressure told when another loose kick was returned by Sam Davies and then taken on by Owain Hedd Davies who slipped an inside pass to Meirion Davies to score and put Nant ahead with two minutes remaining. Penybanc threw everything at and were encamped on the Nant tryline but strong defence them held out and Nant took the win. This was a typically hard fought game between long standing rivals that will stand both sides well for the remainder of the season.
