MATCH REPORT V NANT CONWY 14th OCTOBER 2006

COLWYN BAY BEAT NANT CONWY IN PULSATING GAME

Both bands of spectators expected an exciting game of quality rugby, and they were not to be disappointed.  The match ended in a 23-20 win for the Bay but there was a bizarre twist after the final whistle when the referee, Richard Morgan, announced that the game had been drawn 20-20, apparently failing to record one of Bay’s two penalties.  Nant Conwy officials sportingly confirmed the correct result to Mr Morgan, who insisted that 20-20 will go in his official report to the WRU, though he will point out that he may have missed a Bay score.

Nant started the game by playing their usual brand of open 15 man rugby and mounted a number of dangerous attacking moves whilst, at the same time, making it difficult for the talented Bay backs to put together any sustained pressure.  After 20 minutes Nant were rewarded with a well worked try by outside half Carwyn Ellis converted by his brother Peredur.  10 minutes later another slick handling move resulted in another try for centre Peredur Ellis, which he also converted, to put Nant 14-0 in front.

An exchange of penalties in injury time by Peredur Ellis and Bay centre Adam Hughes saw the teams go into half time with Nant 17-3 in front.  At the start of the second half a further exchange of penalties took the score to 20-6 in Nant’s favour and it seemed that Nant may have been out of sight. 

However the Bay started to get back into the game and a grandstand final 20 minutes saw them mount a number of sustained attacking moves to pin Nant in their own 22 with strong running by Bay centre Patrick Leach.  Nant defended bravely but the pressure told when Bay left winger John Davies rounded off a move to cut inside and score a fine try near the posts.  Hughes converted to make it 20-13. 

Probably the defining moment of the game was when Bay fly half, Matt Anwyl, cleverly dropped a goal to make it 20-16 and put the Bay within one score of victory with 10 minutes to play.  The Bay backs continued to put Nant under relentless pressure and were rewarded with Jody Prior flying in with a deserved try, converted by Hughes, to put the Bay 23-20 in front in injury time.

Nant refused to give up and mounted one final attacking move taking them inside the Bay half.  Poor discipline by the Bay conceded a 45 metre penalty on full time, which was narrowly missed by Peredur Ellis to give the Bay a deserved win at the end.

Colwyn Bay are away to Bethesda this Saturday in the first round of the North Wales Cup.