Fixture

LLangollen continued their push for one if the two automatic promotion places from Div 3 North with an impressive 31-12 home win against Bangor. With LLangollen lying in 2^nd place and Bangor in 3^rd place, 7 points behind with a game in hand, it was always going to be a tense encounter.  The large crowd at Glyn Ceiriog’s Dol Ty Brith who braved the elements were certainly rewarded as both teams fought hard for possession and territory in the opening 15mins. It was the home side who drew first blood when outside half James Claybrook converted a penalty after the visitors had already missed a penalty chance. About 25mins in and the LLan pack started to get the better of the visitors at scrum time and set up a solid platform and also upset the visitors own set piece, but credit to Bangor they stood up to this and their backs running with pace and purpose made inroads into LLangollen territory and they were rewarded when more of the hard running and some lack lustre defence allowed them to cross to take the lead 3-7. The conversion was missed but it appeared the visitors where not here to roll over. LLan with minutes to go before half time made inroads into the Bangor 22 and following some good phase play, inside centre Bryn Sheppard’s power and angle saw him breech the visitors defence and crossed the line, Claybrook added the extras and the home side went in 10-7 up. The second half saw LLan take the game by the scruff of the neck and the visitors pack struggled to contain the home side’s and gave away penalty after penalty allowing LLan to gain field position and time and time again the hard running put the visitors under immense pressure. This resulted in open side flanker Ashley Wilson bagging a brace of tries and prop Gwyndaf Davies with a powerful burst also crossed to get the bonus. Claybrook converted all 3 and LLan were in the driving seat 31-7. Bangor however weren’t finished and with a late flourish they managed to get a try back and bring the score back to 31-12. Coach Mark Price spoke afterwards “We are thrilled with this win, we knew this was one we had to be up for. That first half they gave us a fright, but we got on top of them up front and the platform helped us gain the possession and territory and eventually the tries need. It’s still a long way off promotion but this result will certainly help us”. LLangollen’s next game is Sat 6^th Feb away at league leaders Newtown.