BAY BEAT BALA

BALA 3  COLWYN BAY 27

Although Caernarfon’s trouncing of Llandudno put the Cofis in a well deserved unassailable position for the Division 4 North championship for the season, the Seahorses convincing win by the lake gave them every chance of securing the runners up position.

In a game played in a deceptive breeze which helped the visitors find good position deep in the Bala half time and time again in the first half, the Bay’s superiority in the backs saw them run in four tries (two converted), score a penalty to one penalty by the home side.

Coach Rhys Williams said after the game “We came here to get 5 points against a tough and highly competitive side.  Bala is always a difficult place to come.  Job done”

The Seahorses went into the lead in the sixth minute after a strong tackle-breaking run on the right by wing Jay Beardmore resulted in the ball being swung left quickly with two long passes out to the opposite wing for Tom Blackburn to scamper in outflanking a spread-eagled Bala defence.  Fly half Ashley James converted from wide out.

For the next 15 minutes Bala were barely able to get out of their half but after two Bay long line out throws missed their target in the tricky wind Bala were able to gain enough ground to register a penalty from the Bay’s 10 metre line after a ruck infringement. They were unable to trouble the scorers again.

The Bay backs were not unstoppable for long however.  Skipper and inside centre Patrick Leach’s long punt set up another ruck from which Beardmore again made good progress before the ball was moved left again for Leach himself to pass unselfishly to Blackwell for the Bay’s second try wide out after 25 minutes. 

After a missed penalty attempt on the half hour, Leach strode purposefully in to the Bala half and conjured up a sweet pass behind his back to set Blackwell off to touch down for his hat trick try.  James converted.

Just before half time Leach received a yellow card for foul play but this did little to prevent the Bay asserting their superiority when James slotted a penalty early in the second half and when Leach returned to the field, he was instrumental in manufacturing a looped pass to substitute wing Gareth Jenkins to run in from close to enable the Seahorses to secure a bonus point after 56 minutes

The Bay were unable to add to their score for the rest of the game despite flashes of rapier-like incision from their midfield which came to nothing for want of close enough support and  the home side to their credit managed to gain some dominance up front spending a good ten minutes camped on the Bay line but strong Bay defence prevented Bala from capitalising.

A good rehearsal for the hard work that will no doubt have to be done on Tuesday evening when the Bay take on new champions Caernarfon at Brookfield Drive in their penultimate League game. Kick off 730pm.