Machynlleth 17 Bethesda 56
Bethesda travled to Machynlleth in the first game of a double header needing
one win to clinch the division two title they have succeeded with one game
to go. In what easily what could have been a banana skin they kept their
best performance for this one. Watched by an army of away supporters they
were clinical and disciplined and for the first 20 minutes of the game
Machynlleth never got to the Bethesda half such was their domination. Gareth
Wyn helped Bethesda's nerves if they had any with a fine break to touch down
Mathew Parry converted. With their scrum solid and lineout also functioning
well they played some great rugby Wing Iwan Howel touched down in the corner
weaving his magic along the touch line and Parry with a conversion from far
out to make it 14 0 after 11 minutes. Two penalties from Parry took the game
beyond the home side and Bethesda led by 20 points on the half hour mark.
When Machynlleth had possession it was always deep in their half but showed
their intensions by spreading the ball wide and from one of their runs found
Bethesda short on cover and scored a good try on 37 minutes. This brought
Bethesda back to life and scored two tries in three minutes one by ever
present captain Paul Thomos and No 8 Dylan Wiliams on stroke of half time
and conversion by Parry.Half time Machynlleth 5 Bethesda 32 Hooker Steve
Roberts was on the score board in the second minute of the second half form
his trademark strong runs he repeated the feat on 19 minutes with another
try when Mach were making a big effort and competing with the champions
elect. Machynlleth scored their second try on 23 minutes but Gavin Owen
cancelled it out when he found himself playing on the wing due to injuries
touched down Parry converting Machynleth to their credit scored a third try
when the visitors were thinking Champagne .Bethesda took the score over the
half century mark when scrum half Mathew Parry who had a great game all
afternoon finished off the score with a 7 pointer to start the celebrations
that went long into the night.
