Six-try Dinas Powys return with a great win (From Penarth Times)

Six-try Dinas Powys return with a great win

8:40am Thursday 27th September 2012 in Sport

HIRWAUN RFC 9 DINAS POWYS RFC 38

A SUNNY day provided the perfect afternoon for rugby at the Waun, home of Hirwaun RFC.

The game started as brightly as the weather for the Villagers, playing up the slope and into a marked breeze. An early penalty kick was missed but within the first five minutes the first try was scored, following a deft chip by fly half Gethin Cooper that allowed centre Dai Lloyd to collect and score under the posts.

The home side with the elements in their favour were then encamped in the Villagers' half, but fine defence by the back row of Morgan Williams, Nick Vaggas and Lewys John ensured they remained without a score. Hirwaun drove forward with a series of rolling mauls, utilising their bulky forwards to maximum effect.

The pressure was intense and they were awarded an attacking 5 metre scrum. The Villagers' pack put in a massive effort and drove the home side off the ball, winning it against the head, and the ever alert scrum half Nathan Williams broke to the blindside and fed left wing James Smith who raced the length of the pitch to score the second try.

The speedy wing was the first to appreciate the contribution of the formidable front row of Mike Jones, Lloyd Horwood and Tom Paterson in presenting him with his scoring opportunity. The conversion added by Cooper advanced the score to 0-14 and after a quarter of an hour Andy Vesey, Richard 'Chunky' Boyland and Ian formed a happy group of coaches along the touchline.

The elements allowed the home side to once again dominate territory for the remainder of the first half and it was a formidable defensive effort marshalled by skipper Nathan Williams that prevented them from scoring.

Hirwaun were further frustrated by pack leader Vaggas disrupting their lineout by continuously stealing their lineout throws. The strong breeze denied the Villagers the option of kicking to relieve the pressure and it fell upon James Walters and Alex Smith to drive the ball forward away from danger.

There was no further score in the first half and with two tries scored and the slope and wind at their backs in the second half, all appeared under control for Dinas.

The first half hour of the second half was to prove a frustrating period as the youthful set of three quarters over-elaborated their play and failed to maximise the potential of the elements in their favour.

The home side converted three penalty kicks in this period to claw their way back into the contest, so with ten minutes remaining the score stood at 9-14. Thoughts of gaining a bonus point for scoring had evaporated and securing the win now became the priority.

Vesey utilised his bench and sent on Gareth Williams in the second row and Nick Coles for Sam Alderman at full back, and Kyle Foat for the indomitable Lewys John in the back row.

The stress levels mounted as Coles made a searing break through the home defence before unselfishly feeding right wing Mark Goode, allowing him to cross in the corner only for the score to be disallowed as the touch judge raised his flag to negate the score.

This galvanised Dinas into playing ten minutes of near perfect rugby. A brave fall and gather by Horwood secured the ball and allowed a further break by Coles down the left wing which allowed him to pass inside to centre John 'Evo' Evans to score the try.

The restart was gathered by Vaggas who made a powerful break, tearing through the home defence. He charged into the opponents 22 and looked certain to score but opted to pass to Morgan Williams in support. Alas the quality of the pass did not match the break and the chance, like the pass, went astray.

Hirwaun cleared their lines and the ball was gathered by Foat who drove on powerfully before slipping the ball to Evans who passed inside to Horwood who crashed over for the bonus point gaining fourth try.

The conversion added by Cooper adavnced the score to a healthier looking 9-26.

The forwards were winning a plethora of possession and the backs were revelling in it as they combined with a flowing move that saw Evans cross the tryline for a further disallowed try, the scoring pass from Smith judged forward. The forwards felt aggrieved and produced a dynamic srum that pushed the home pack off the ball.

The ball was fed from Vaggas to scrum half Williams who scampered to score the try, with Cooper adding the conversion, and the Villagers extended their lead to 9-33.

The restart was gathered by Walters who bullocked his way forward, the ball beautifully presented was passed along the backline to the mercurial Dai Lloyd who produced a classic outside break.

The classy centre had tormented the opponents all game with his mesmerising runs and on this occassion they were penalised for not releasing the elusive centre after the tackle, and the ever alert skipper Nathan Williams again took the poenalty quickly before feeding Coles to score Dinas' sixth try of the afternoon.

The post match analysis allowed the players to maintain that they enjoyed tormenting the elderly committee members and that they considered victory and the bonus point never in doubt!

The Dinas Powys clubhouse at the Common saw a celebration of the victory, and also the celebration of the wedding of club member Lee Parsons. The reception was the reason that the fixture was switched, and many a Villager supporter will be grateful to have played the match at the head of the valleys in September rather than in January, as was scheduled.

• Dinas Powys RFC continue on their travels away from the Common as they travel next to Llantwit Major for a SWALEC Bowl encounter.