Swalec Bowl

Bynea 19 Betws 20

With a number of players missing, a young Betws looked to prove a point to Section A Bynea, but two fortuitous tries for the hosts saw the visitors on the back foot.

When Betws were carved opened again, only to see the scoring opportunity wasted, they at last woke up – an apparent stamp from one of the home forwards which saw influential Number 8 Gareth Rees depart proceedings - also proved something of a wake-up call

Betws scored their first try when young winger Gareth Thomas burst through the cover defence and play a perfect pass to full back Steffan Howells who had a simple 30-metre run in. The try was converted by Dan Griffiths.

The second try came just before half-time when hooker Matthew Madge scored from an accurate driving line-out.

The missed conversion ensured the sides went into the break at 12-12.

Betws started the second half on fire with a barn storming run by Paul Rees who broke several tackles, and the next 10 minutes saw the home pack shoving the higher league side all over the pitch.

The visiting eight’s dominance saw the hosts asking - unsuccessfully – to opt for passive scrums despite the starting front row all remaining on the pitch.

Within five minutes Betws were in front as centre Mark Thomas crashed over after yet another perfect platform by the pack.

The game ebbed and flowed and the Bynea side went back in front from a good line-out which was excellently converted.

The home side thought they had done enough but Betws roared back.

One try was disallowed, but the continued to bombard the Bynea line and eventually the referee gave a penalty in front of the posts for Dan Griffiths to slot over with four minutes to spare.

Bynea tried in vain to get the ball pack into play but the comeback was complete and at 20-19 Betws recorded their fifth win in a row.