29.11.09 Bethesda go through Robert Davies reporting

Bethesda 22 Rhyl 18 (Bethesda go through)  North Wales Senior Cup 1st Round 2nd Leg. The fourth and last encounter between these two teams was probably the hardest one, it was total commitment from both teams and the game went to the wire. Rhyl started the strongest and not for the first time this season took the lead when they opened up Bethesda to score under the post when a loose ball fell in their favour and scrum half Rob Jones touched down converted by Wick Friz. Bethesda responded to the challenge and had Rhyl defending vigorously. It took 13 minutes for Bethesda to register a score and it came thru Mathew Parry’s boot with a penalty. Numerous scoring chances were squandered by the home side. On 23 minutes Late replacement Prop Lee Sherlock touched down in the corner to put Bethesda in the lead for the first time and all this was due to Bethesda dominance in the pack On 29 minutes Parry increased the lead with another penalty but Rhyl would not lie down and their counter attacking kept the crowed on their toes. Bethesda took a slender lead to half time of 11-7. With nothing to lose Rhyl were going to give it their all and ran the ball at the home side on every occasion but parry stemmed the flow with another penalty but Rhyl hit back with a penalty of their own. Bethesda’s dominance in the scrum paid off after Dylan Williams who had an excellent game touched down to register a push over try. Bethesda’s lead of 19-10 should have seen them home after another penalty by Parry increased the lead. Rhyl were not finished and four the last half hour the attackers turned defenders and this time it was the home side’s turn to stem the flow. On the hour mark they scored a good try after strong running by their forwards and back’s for Flanker Simon Davies to touch down wide conversion missed. Still applying pressure Rhyl came within striking distance with another penalty 22-18. Ill discipline was creeping into the game frequently in the final 10 minutes with Bethesda hanging on Rhyl were still on the charge and pounding the line Dylan Hughes claimed possession and when trying to run out of defence he was tackled in the in goal area, and for no apparent reason a scuffle broke out and unluckily it was two Rhyl players that had an early shower. A very exiting mid week game that was well attended but both sides will not want to play each other again for a while. Bethesda’s next game is at Bangor on the 5th of December.