30.09.09 - Gogledd Cymru victorious at Liverpool

30.09.09 - Gogledd Cymru victorious at Liverpool


Gogledd Cymru - The North Wales Regional Rugby team played the University of Liverpool last night (30th Sept) at Wirral's historic New Brighton ground. "Established 1875" exclaims the glass etching above the entrance. Historically many of North Wales' best players have turned out for New Brighton.

With 17 players unavailable because of work, family commitments or injury this could have been a banana skin for your fledgling regional side. However, the fact that we were able to field a side is testimony to squad strength and the commitment of the players to make regional rugby a reality.

The final score was 29-15. There were excellent performances from COBRA's openside Alun Jones, man of the match against Loughborough. Llion Trefor, leading the pack for the first time, turned in a mature performance demonstrating how well this Bethesda player has developed.

Centre Jack Moorhouse opened the scoring with a try converted by Rhodri Carlton-Jones. A further penalty by Carlton-Jones and a try by newcomer Sam Harvie made the score 15-5 at half time.

The influence of the 7 regular players in the side began to exert an effect in the second half. Quick ball, intelligent distribution by Ashley James and penetratint runs by Moorehouse, Richard Hopkins and Alun Jones resulted in 2 more tries for the Gogs.

The score remained 29-5 until the last 5 minutes, when the wear and tear of playing a 36 man University squad, with only 17 Gogs, took its toll. The students scored 2 breakaway tries which were unconverted.

"I don't expect the best but I expect each of you to give your best!" was coach Jon Aby's parting comment at the prematch team talk. It was mission accomplished.

The next home game, although not finalised, is likely to be against the Wales Deaf, current World Deaf Rugby Champions and coached by former Cardiff and Wales scrun half Terry Homes. The first fixture with this side was in the 2007-8 season when Gogledd Cymru presented the victorious Deaf team with a distinctive trophy designed by Abergele deaf artist Jonathan Lloyd. Last year's game was cancelled becasue of snow, so this will be the first return match and the Gogs will be keen to regain their trophy..

Team: Rhodri Carlton Jones (Llandudno), Richard Hopkins (Mold), Jack Moorhouse (Sale), Sam Howie (Bangor), James Gregson (Llandudno), Ashley James (Mold), Carwyn(Cookie) Williams (Captain;Sale), Lee Pope (Mold), Alun Jones (COBRA), Dylan Owen (Bethesda), Steve Barnard (Bangor), Llion Trefor (Sale), Simon Griffiths (Liverpool St Helens/Llangefni), Gary Teeson (Ruthin), Tom Hughes (Bala). Subs:Dave Blackwell, Jodie Forter

28.09.09 CARDIFF BLUES UNDER 18 57 GOGLEDD CYMRU UNDER 18 0

28.09.09 CARDIFF BLUES UNDER 18 57 GOGLEDD CYMRU UNDER 18 0


Whilst no-one could fault their attitude or commitment the Gogledd Cymru Under 18 side went down to a heavy defeat at the hands of a strong Cardiff Blues side who must surely be favourite to win this seasons Regional Age-Grade Competition. Whilst the young North Walians achieved almost parity in the scrum and lineout where again Gareth Morgan,Jake simm and Tom Parry stood out, they struggled in spite of the best efforts of their captain Jac Williams to present any real threat to the Cardiff defence, whereas every time the Blues back line had ball in hand they lookedcapable of scoring from almost anywhere on the field.

Star of the show for the Blues was centre,Sam Campbell who bagged a hat-trick,but it would be unfair to single hi out for particular praise as they were very much a squad of 22 who worked for each other and within which there appeared to be no weaknesses.

Whilst for the Gogledd Cymru side it would be easy to become despondent they should take huge credit for the way in which they kept trying to play rugby up to the final whistle, when the easier option would have been to try and slow the game down in ordr to keep the score down.

Gogledd Cymru Under 18s next game is in 2 weeks time against the Dragons

27.09.09 Rhos 3 Bethesda 42

27.09.09 Rhos 3 Bethesda 42

Disappointing late withdrawals and unavailability, Bethesda had to make changes  selection and positional but the game will be remembered for two scintillating tries by Bethesda one by Gareth Wyn in his own words ( one of the best i have ever scored) the other by young try machine Gwyn Hughes  Rhos has never been one of Bethesda’s favourite  places  to play and this was nothing special the forwards dominated but the changes made things a bit difficult but a 7 try to nil score keep’s them on top of the North section  After the Gareth Wyn special  Hooker Steve Eames grounded the second followed by Flanker Dylan Hughes  Gwyn Hughes followed with one of his pair to secure a bonus point.  Second Half with no threat to the visitors line it was a case of how much. Gwyn Hughes again increased Bethesda’s lead with the special. Iwan Williams in the unusual position of wing scored and replacement Guto Ellis completed the try scoring Gareth Wyn completed with a penalty and two conversions. Next week Bethesda are at home to Wrexham.

27.09.09 Gogs u18 squad v Cardiff Blues on Sunday

27.09.09 Gogs u18 squad v Cardiff Blues on Sunday - click here

27.09.09 The first ever meeting between two of the Gogledd Cymru Provinces

27.09.09 The first ever meeting between two of the Gogledd Cymru Provinces

27.09.09 Gogledd Cymru 16s and 18s v Cardiff Blues South Under 16s and Cardiff Blues Under 18s

27.09.09 Gogledd Cymru 16s and 18s v Cardiff Blues South Under 16s and Cardiff Blues Under 18s


Gogledd Cymru 16s and 18s are both on the long road down to South Wales this weekend as they face the Cardiff Blues South Under 16s and Cardiff Blues Under 18s
respectively in the Capital on Sunday 27th Sept in the third round of matches in this seasons regional age-grade Championship.

The 16s buoyed by last Sundays victory over the Blues North play the Blues South at Rumney Rugby Club,KO 12.30 pm, and will be looking to make it 2 wins out of 3 for the season so far. Last weekends victory over the Blues North demonstrated that they have nothing to fear from any other team in the competition and they should go into this Sundays match full of confidence.

Although, in the Blues, the 18s are facing the pre-season favourites for the age-grade championship, they too will go into the match on the back of a much improved performance in their previous game against the Ospreys and with almost a full squad to choose from for the first time this season they will be looking to put up another big performance.

Both teams will be announcing their match-day squads after training this Wednesday.

27.09.09 The first ever meeting between two of the Gogledd Cymru Provinces

27.09.09 The first ever meeting between two of the Gogledd Cymru Provinces will take place on Sunday,27th September. when the South take on the East at Cobra Rugby Club. The future stars of North Wales rugby have been working hard over the summer for this day, which promises to be a feast of rugby.


U12’s kickoff at 10am

U13’s kickoff at 12pm

U14’s kickoff at 2pm