BAY BATTLE BACK BUT SHOTTON STEAL IT

Colwyn Bay 2nds 10  Shotton  13

The Bay side hoped to secure their North East Wales Premiership credentials at Brookfield Drive on Saturday in their North East Wales League Division ‘A’ game against Shotton only to be dealt a cruel blow with the last kick of the match when the Steelers centre struck a sweet drop goal from 30 yards out to clinch victory for the visitors by 2 tries (both converted), that drop goal to one (converted) try and a penalty.

At the outset the strong Shotton side showed power and fluency in all phases of the game and after the first quarter found themselves 10-3 up having scored two run away tries to a solitary penalty from full back Haydn Phillips for the home side.  Things did not look good for the Bay at that stage but they battled hard to restore parity until the closing drop goal by the visitors totally deflated the Bay side.

Strong running as ever by centre Lem Hocknell at inside centre eventually brought reward for the Bay as  half time approached as he broke through to dot down between the posts.  Phillips converted.

The second half was scoreless until the death.  Hocknell was unlucky to be called back with the line at his mercy after the referee adjudged a forward pass to him.  The Bay backs attacked well throughout but were denied by strong defence by the Visitors.  The Bay backs also defended well with a couple of real bone crunching tackles in quick succession from outside centre Dougie Graham.

Again cohesion and fitness up front was a problem for the Bay who must now win one of their last two games against league leaders Wrexham to ensure Premiership status for the second half of the season.