Sully Sports 29 Llangollen 24

SULLY Sports welcomed and hosted Llangollen who were on their end-of-season tour, and many of the visitors turned up as traditional tourists, evidently showing signs of having enjoyed nights out and lack of sleep, that these trips inevitably manifest in.

In contrast, the Sports had a lot of players unavailable, and fielded a mix of first and second team players along with four debutants to the club, and this didn’t help in settling on their normal pattern of play.

Playing conditions were awful, with rain falling throughout the game, and the grass much longer than it should have been.

The lateness of the confirmation of the game meant that the pitch could not be cut. Despite these conditions, both teams played the usual tour game strategies of open rugby and keeping the ball alive at all costs.

As a result, we were dished up an entertaining game that neither team managed to dominate for any lengthy period, even though the slippery conditions saw too many dropped, missed, passes. The Sports just about dominated at the breakdown and at the set scrums, with the visitors excelling in their support play and off-loading.

Nine tries were shared, with only four converted (the kickers blamed the heavy long grass when they missed) and although the Sports were victorious, they were never more than a score to the good, and the result went down to the wire.

Try scorers for the Sports were Mike Angove, Dai Harris, Lee Walters, Damion Higgins and Wayne Jones, with Harris adding two conversions.

Both teams relished the after match refreshments in the bar, where Llangollen came to the fore and completely out-drank their hosts. Although this was the first ever fixture between the clubs, friendships were made, and an invitation was offered to the Sports to visit Llangollen next season for a re-match.

Club notices:

1. From the business at the AGM held on May 21 the following were most significant:

a. Steve Pugh elected as Chairman – thanks to outgoing chairman Anthony Powell for his sterling work in the post.

b. J Blake ratified as Club Captain – thanks to outgoing captain Chris Cummings, and best wishes for the future as he hopes to take up a new coaching role at another club.

c. Thanks to outgoing coach John Dimond, and best of luck in the future in whatever role he pursues.

2. The end-of-season presentation dinner is set for June 20, and players and members are reminded that they need to confirm their place, and choice of menu, by June 13 by contacting Peter Mees.

3. The club celebrates its 50th anniversary next season, and a number of special fixtures and celebratory events have already been booked. Information will be published as appropriate, but would past players, and members, who would be interested in attending or sponsoring, please contact one of the Club’s committee.

One of the main events will be a 'black tie do' which is taking place on Saturday, November 15, and bookings are already being made so if you want to attend get in quick before all the places go.

MJS Sully Sports RFC