BAY JUST SHORT AT SHOTTON

SHOTTON 23 COLWYN BAY 2nds 22

With Flint 2nds crying off for want of players, Shotton (also victims of a late cry off by Rhyl 2nds) stepped into the breach in this hastily arranged friendly and rehearsal for next Saturday’s League game at Brookfield Drive. That game is likely to be quite a tussle after this close run affair at Rowley Drive saw the Bay fall just short even though they scored four tries (one converted) to their opponents two (both converted).   The Steelers fly half with his boot proving the vital difference with those conversions and three long range penalties.

The Bay’s preparation was delayed as a mislaid key stopped them getting changed until a half hour before kick off.  This explained a quiet start from the visitors who nevertheless took the lead after 10 minutes when fly half Steve Thatcher pounced on a loose ball to run in unchallenged.  The home side quickly hit back with a try of their own which was converted.  The Bay reverted to disorganised ways of old as Shotton added a penalty and another converted try of their own to go in at half time 17 points to 5 up.

The Bay’s lackadaisical attitude continued until the start of the last quarter when they suddenly came to life to score again after a beautifully balanced run in from Thatcher as the home side began to tire.  Shotton then extended their lead with two well taken penalties but the Bay sprang to life once more in the last five minutes with Thatcher’s strong running bringing him his hat trick and with two minutes to go speedster wing Steve Davidson ran in from deep in typical fashion. Unfortunately Thatcher could not slot the difficult conversion from wide out with breeze against which would have won it for the Bay.

A curate’s egg of a performance then from the Bay lads but very much more good than bad in the end with hooker Nathan Hughes prominent up front and pinpoint at the line out but Thatcher’s three try performance was the Bay highlight of the day.