WREXHAM RFC V COLWYN BAY RFC 13/1/07

BAY’S TITLE HOPES FALTER AT WREXHAM

Despite a battling second half display the Bay went down 15-10 away to a resurgent Wrexham team who have won their last three Division 4 North games.

Wrexham kicked off with a strong following wind and centre Patrick Leach immediately made a break but was hauled down just short of the line.  The Bay kept up the pressure on the Wrexham line but were met by a solid defence.  Aided by the wind, Wrexham fought back into the Bay half and back row forward Carl Turner scored a pushover try from a scrum near the Bay line.  The conversion by outside half Richard Lloyd put Wrexham 7-0 in front. 

Attacking moves by both sides were countered by strong defences until the Bay were penalised for offside and Richard Lloyd converted the kick to take the score to 10-0.  Shortly afterwards Wrexham secured a line out near the Bay line and hooker John Gill scored a hotly disputed try in the corner, which appeared to follow a knock on in the line out and lost ball over the line.

Having held Wrexham to 15 points at the half way stage the Bay were still very much in the game with the wind advantage in the second half.  The Bay put together a series of attacking moves and the pressure was rewarded with a penalty for offside, just inside the Wrexham half, converted by Patrick Leach to pull the score back to 3-10.  Most of the play in the second period was in the Wrexham half, but their strong pack kept the ball tight and denied the Bay possession for periods.

A break by Number 8 Chris Hughes gained ground and a Bay line out near the Wrexham 22.  A move along the Bay backs and break by Patrick Leach was rewarded with a well taken try in the corner by Bay flanker and captain Dave Brown.  A fine touch line conversion by winger Ash James put the Bay within striking distance at 10-15.  The Bay had several missed try scoring opportunities in the second half, but excellent defensive work and strong tackling kept them out and secured a deserved win for Wrexham at the end.