BALA RFC v COLWYN BAY RFC – 31 MARCH 2007

THE BAY TURN THE TABLES ON BALA

The Bay avenged a league defeat at home earlier in the season by securing a deserved 3-20 away victory against Bala on Saturday.  Despite a strong cross-wind making conditions difficult both sides played some entertaining rugby.

After early pressure from the kick off the Bay pack won a maul on the Bala line and quick distribution by scrum half Andy Williams-Owen saw centre Patrick Leach sell a dummy for a try near the posts.  Andy Williams Owen converted to give the Bay an early 0-7 lead.  The Bala three-quarters mounted several attacks but were rebuffed by solid tackling with centre Dave Hocknell prominent.  Midway through the half Bay number 8 Mark Earl picked up from the base of a scrummage on his own 22 and clever inter-passing with Patrick Leach took play deep into Bala territory.  Further pressure resulted in a scrum 10 metres from the Bala line and Mark Earl touched down for a pushover try near the touch line.  A fine conversion by Patrick Leach put the Bay 0-14 in front.  Bala fought back into the Bay half and a penalty for offside was converted by outside half Ynyr Jones for a 3-14 score at half time.

The Bay pack started to dominate in the second half with the front five Scrummaging solidly and Chris Hughes prominent in the line-out.  However the half was dominated by good defensive work from both sides although the Bay had the better of the game territorially.  Two further penalties by scrum half Andy Williams-Owen gave the Bay a deserved 3-20 victory at the end.  The Bay are away to Pwllheli next Saturday in their penultimate league fixture.