Dolgellau 14 v COBRA 15
By Clare Jones
Dolgellau were comfortably in control of this match at half-time, as the 14-3 score line suggests. However, a very complacent second-half performance gifted the game to visitors COBRA, who secured victory with the very last kick of the match.
During the first half hour of the game the hosts had the advantage in terms of territory and possession but COBRA were never less than competitive and looked lively on those occasions when they were able to gain possession and advance into the Dolgellau half. The early Dolgellau pressure yielded a number of penalties, two of which were converted by outside-half, Gerwyn Thomas, giving his team a six point advantage.
At this stage the Dolgellau pack were playing well in both the tight and loose facets of play and a try seemed inevitable. After thirty five minutes the COBRA no. 8 was yellow-carded, much to his surprise and annoyance, apparently for preventing the release of the ball at a ruck whilst off his feet. The resulting penalty kick by Gerwyn Thomas yielded a further three points, giving Dolgellau a nine point lead.
However, within minutes of the interval, Dolgellau were penalised for being offside in midfield giving COBRA’s outside-half, Llew Williams, the opportunity to open his team`s account with a well-taken kick from 35 metres. Thus, as the half-time whistle sounded the score stood at 9-3.
After the resumption Dolgellau launched a promising attack down the right flank. The ball was carried towards the COBRA tryline by a number of forwards but each one in turn was held up short of the line. Prop Mathew Jenkins then gained further territory before being pulled to ground but number eight Llion Arwel was able to retrieve the ball and dive in at the corner for a commendable try. Although the conversion attempt by Thomas was unsuccessful, Dolgellau, with an eleven point advantage, were now seemingly well in control of the tie.
However, from that point onwards the hosts lost their concentration and focus and allowed COBRA back into the game. As the minutes ticked by COBRA’s incursions into the Dolgellau half increased significantly and the hosts became increasingly sloppy in their attitude.
The hosts were without their two first choice props for this match and as the half progressed the lack of experience in the front row became apparent. Little by little COBRA upped their game, with scrum-half, Alwyn Williams, leading by example as time after time he tested the Dolgellau defence with his sniping runs. This pressure from the visitors led to them being awarded a series of penalties, two of which were put over by Llew Williams, who was obviously on good kicking form.
With fifteen minutes remaining the score stood at 14-9, with COBRA in the ascendancy. Dolgellau’s play became ragged and not one of their players was able to provide the calming influence required to close down the match. Prop, Mathew Jenkins was then yellow-carded for persistent infringing at the rucks and this further increased Dolgellau’s anxiety levels.
Llew Williams’ forth successful penalty kick brought the visitors to within two points of the hosts and a COBRA victory now seemed a distinct possibility. As Jenkins’ ten minutes in the sin-bin came to an end the replacement Dolgellau prop was yellow-carded, which meant that Dolgellau remained with fourteen men on the field of play.
With only a few minutes remaining COBRA applied the pressure and drove hard towards the Dolgellau try-line and, as the home fans had feared, secured a penalty right in front of the posts. The kick was a formality for Llew Williams and within seconds of the ball sailing between the posts, the final whistle sounded, leaving Dolgellau to rue the one that got away!