COLWYN BAY RFC v NANT CONWY RFC – 28 APRIL 2007

THE BAY DEFEAT NANT CONWY TO REACH THE SCOTTISH POWER NORTH WALES CUP FINAL

As expected this was a hard and closely fought game against renowned cup fighters Nant Conwy.  The Bay dominated the first 25 minutes territorially and were rewarded with two well taken penalties by full back Ashley James.  Towards the end of this period of play Sean McDonagh made a searing break up the right hand touchline and his chip ahead was gathered by supporting Bay number eight Mark Earl to score a try near the posts.  The conversion by Ashley James gave the Bay a well deserved 13-0 lead.  Nant Conwy came back strongly in the last 15 minutes of the first half but were kept out by resolute Bay tackling.

Shortly after half time the Bay were penalised for backchat to the referee and Peredur Elis converted the kick to pull the score back to 13-3.  Nant Conwy mounted a series of attacks but were met by stout Bay defence.  However they were rewarded with a further penalty by Peredur Elis to take the score to 13-6.  Nant Conwy continued to test the Bay defence but they failed to make any headway in the face of solid tackling by Bay centres Dave Hocknell and Jody Prior and long relieving touch kicks by Bay outside half Patrick Leach.

The Bay started to dominate the line outs with Chris Hughes prominent and some fine handling and support play by the Bay pack took play deep into Nant Conwy territory.  Nant were penalised for deliberately slowing play at a ruck and the penalty was converted by Ashley James to put the Bay 16-6 in front.  Nant Conwy came straight back on the attack and a penalty for hands in the ruck was converted by Peredur Elis to give the Bay a deserved 16-9 victory.

The Bay meet Mold in the final at the Bay’s Brookfield Road ground on Monday 7 May kick off 3.00 pm.  The game is preceded by the Gwynedd Cup final which kicks off at 1.00 pm.