Rugby Union: Pwllheli face tough test after Welsh Cup win

Oct 2 2008 By Dave Jones

NEATH ATHLETIC 27 PWLLHELI 29

SWALEC CUP ROUND ONE

OWAIN Williams’ late conversion sealed a magnificent victory for Pwllheli which deserved better reward than a difficult trip to division three west outfit Cardigan in round two later this month.

The epic win was all the more commendable by the fact the Llyn men made the six-hour journey to South Wales without nine first team regulars and a bench of just three.

Neath led 14-3 at half time courtesy of two converted tries against a Williams penalty for the visitors.

Pwllheli dominated the opening phases of the second period but squandered overlaps through indifferent handing and poor option taking.

They stuck to their task, though, and were rewarded 15 minutes in with a comfortable try from centre Dafydd Anwyl, improved by Williams.

Once again, though, Pwllheli were caught cold as Neath stole lineout ball on the left and worked a converted try for a 21-10 lead.

Pwllheli hit back through an Anwyl try, Williams adding the extras, before Neath notched a drop goal and penalty to make it 27-17 in their favour.

But the visitors breached the Athletic try-line again, then scrum-half Mathew Hicks powered through a melee from a close range scrum to level it, leaving Williams to boot the winning points.

Pwllheli play their fourth consecutive away match on Saturday as they travel to Denbigh.