Dinas Powys 41 v Pontyclun 22

A HIGH quality game of rugby, that was a credit to the division, was played in glorious sunshine in front of a large crowd on the historic Common, home of Dinas Powys RFC since 1882.

Both sides showed desire to play open exciting rugby and, an enthralling first half saw the teams share four tries that would have graced any contest at any level.

Dinas Powys, known as the Villagers, went behind to an early penalty, but responded 10 minutes later with a fine individual try scored by Adam Williams, as the centre showed power and pace to score from his own half. The conversion from the touchline was kicked by fly half Ben White provided the home side with a 7-3 lead.

The visitors for the next 10 minutes were camped in the Dinas half of the pitch and only resolute defence by back rowers Ryan Shallish and the brothers Dunleavy, Josh and Lewis prevented the concession of a try.

The pressure was constant, the men from Pontyclun tried brute force and guile and eventually it was stunning interplay between forwards and backs that allowed their right wing to squeeze over in the corner, the conversion to the surprise of many was successful and the visitors led 7-10.

A well refereed, high quality contest was thrilling the spectators from both sides and it was against the run of play that Dinas reclaimed the lead as scrum half Sam Middlemiss made a break from his own 22 metre area, before feeding White who released centre Tom Luck who made a stunning break before passing on to full back Rhys Evans who passed the ball inside to second row "Gazza" Williams, who crashed over for the try.

The Villagers extended their lead to 17-10 close to the end of the first half with a penalty by White, but the visitors struck back from the restart with a try by their pacy left wing following fine interplay and with the conversion added to the score and at half-time the score stood at 17-17.

The most ardent Villagers supporter would have admitted that they were fortunate to be level at the break as Pontyclun had dominated large periods of the first half, but once again the youthful Dinas side showed great resolution against a well organised opponent.

The second half started as the first half had finished with both sides running the ball from all areas of the field, both sides threatened to score but it was eventually centre Williams who once again crossed for a try. The chance seemed to have been wasted as the pass from of the base of a ruck bounced towards fly half White, with defenders racing towards him, White chipped the bouncing ball with his foot, Williams took the ball in the air and the try was scored.

The Pontyclun Badgers stung into action and responded with a try following a planned line-out move with a clever throw to the prop at the front of the line-out who raced over from five metres.

The score stood at 22 points each with 15 minutes remaining, and either side appeared capable of victory.

The game was turned on its head as the introduction of fresh legs off the bench allowed the Villagers to score three tries and 19 points without response in an explosion of stunning rugby.

The influence of centre Tom Luck was growing during this period, he made a stunning outside break before feeding scrum half Sam Middlemiss who crossed for a try. From the restart the Villagers ran from deep in their own half and stunning interplay through eight pairs of hands allowed replacement flanker to score a try that drew applause from both sets of supporters.

The home side scored their sixth and final try of the contest after a break from White saw Adam Williams feed fellow centre Luck who crowned a stunning performance by scoring the try.

The final score did not reflect the competitive nature of the contest, but completed a memorable weekend for Dinas Powys RFC following the Dingoes winning the Mallet Cup the previous evening at Cardiff Arms Park.