North Wales rugby: Division One North title still in balance
Apr 5 2010 by Our Correspondent, Daily Post
THE destination of the Division One North title is still in doubt as champions Nant Conwy and second-placed Caernarfon continue to battle it out for the title.
Caernarfon take over at the top of the table on points difference as both clubs are tied on 60 points from their 14 games played with four to play in the season.
Caernarfon picked up a vital bonus point win with a 39-11 home victory over third-placed Mold, who are now out of the title race, the Cofis running in five tries, two for flanker Liam Leung and one each for second-row Chris Wynne, wing Dylan Gwyn, flanker John Llewellyn. Fly-half Kelfyn Morris added two penalties and four conversions, while centre Dan Edmunds kicked a brace of penalties for the visitors and prop John Shirley crossed for a late consolation try.
Elwyn Williams’ Nant Conwy failed to get a bonus point as they overcame visitors Llandudno by 11-6 with hooker Gareth Jones scoring the only try of the game. Nant fly-half Llwarch ap Myrddin and Llandudno number nine Rhodri Carlton Jones each kicked two penalties in the match.
Colwyn Bay’s recent improvement in form continued as they made it three wins in succession to ease their relegation fears with a 29-3 victory at Llangefni, overtaking their opponents in the league table in the process.
Full-back Sean McDonaugh crossed for two tries and others coming from centre’s Dave Hocknell and Tom Duffy who also added the goal kicks.
Bro Ffestiniog defeated visitors Ruthin 23-14 with tries from fly-half Lee Aspen, full-back Daniel Jones and centre Barry Roberts, who also kicked two penalties and a conversion.
Second-row Chris Davies scored two tries for the visitors both converted by full-back Ben Syme.
Pwllheli claimed a try bonus point in the first half before ending up 55-16 victors over Denbigh as they ran in a total of nine tries.
Second-row Mark Saynor led the try rush with a hat-trick, while prop Alwyn Tremholme (2), scrum-half Gareth Padgett (2), centre Dylan Morris and wing Tomos Henry also crossed in the win with full-back Gethin Roberts adding five conversions.
For the visitors Dan Sullivan and Phil Morris crossed for tries both of which were converted by Dion Howatson.
The battle for promotion from Division Two continues as leaders Bala, who have a five point advantage over second-placed Bethesda, collected a try bonus points in their 32-5 home win over Machynlleth with tries from scrum half Euros Jones (2), fly-half Rhydian Jones, replacement No8 Dochan Roberts and centre Gareth Owen who also kicked a penalty and two conversions.
Bethesda who have a game in hand over the league leaders had to come from 10-0 down before they managed to win by 19-10 at Cobra.
Fly-half Matthew Parry kicked three penalties and the tries came from flanker Arwyn Griffiths and second-row Cameron Moore.
Rhyl defeated visitors Dolgellau 24-7 with veteran second-row Ritchie Nelson and No8 Barry Picton both crossing for a brace of tries. Scrum-half James Farrell adding two conversions.
In Division Three Wrexham went down 23-12 at home to Newtown despite four penalties from scrum-half Kieran Morris.
The visitors ran in tries by wing Sam Harris, centre Greg Kiely and No8 Ben Davies, fly-half Rowan Meek adding a conversion and two penalties. Bangor won by 24-22 at Welshpool while Llanidloes crushed visitors Rhos by 41-0.
