10:23am Wednesday 7th May 2008
Betws completed a tremendous season with another powerful and entertaining performance in their final fixture against Trebanos, and in the process pipped Ystradgynlais to become champions of division five south west on superior try count.
Home supporters were again treated to another eight tries as their team again demonstrated their power and pace, with captain Paul Roberts deservedly leading his team to the title to reward the hard work of manager Doug Davies, and coaches Gary and Mark Davies this season.
Betws knew from the outset that they needed to win with five tries to overtake leaders Ystradgynlais, and they started in determined fashion as wing forward Gavin Thomas grabbed an early brace of tries as they stormed the visitors line.
A counter attack by the visitors saw their strong running full-back Andrew Penhale make a 60 metre break with centre Rod Jones in support to score and reduce the deficit, with outside half Rhodri Thomas adding the conversion.
However Betws continued to apply the pressure and a loose kick out of defence found wing Rhys Williams, and his superior pace enabled him to sprint 40 metres to score in the corner.
The outstanding front row of Gareth Jones, Paul Roberts and Ian Morris were again dominant in the scrums enabling outside half Phil Saunders to set off on another typical break from inside his own half with scrum half Dylan Rees in support to score, with the conversion by full-back Mathew Rees putting the homesters 22-7 ahead after half an hours play.
At the end of the first half Betws were denied that elusive fifth try as prop Ian Morris was adjudged to have been held up over the line as the forwards applied the pressure.
In the second half an injury to the visiting prop forced the introduction of passive scrums which disrupted the homesters with Trebanos now enjoying a more open style of game.
However a poor chip out of defence was quickly run back at the visitors and slick passing enabled Phil Saunders to slice through the defence, sprinting 25 metres to the line for the all important fifth try.
A long kick and chase out of defence by Mathew Rees again put the visiting defence under pressure and they were forced to concede a penalty try as Dylan Rees was tackled early with the line at his mercy.
Mathew Rees added the conversion to put the result beyond doubt, but the visitors stuck to the task scoring an excellent try as forwards and backs combined, with second row Liam Jones finishing off the long range try.
Second row Joe Adams had ruled the lineout from the outset for the homesters and another steal from this area of play enabled Dylan Rees to set off on another 40 metre run.
Replacement wing forward Wayne Camley was quickly in support to power over for the final try with the conversion giving the homesters another convincing win in a memorable season that had already seen Betws 2nds promoted as champions of section B in the Llanelli and District League.
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