Division Four West Betws 61 Trimsaran 27 BETWS continued their fine run of form and proved too powerful for an understrength Trimsaran unit who, much to their credit, resisted the temptation to opt for passive scrums and were rewarded for their grit with a bonus point thanks to four tries in reply to Betws’ nine.

The scrum power of the home pack was evident from the outset and this led to the opening score, a penalty try following a close-range scrum.

The ever-dependable boot of outsidehalf Owen Higgins added the extras.

Home No8 Wayne Comley used his considerable power to quickly increase the lead from another five-metre scrum, Higgins again converting.

The hosts further extended their advantage midway through the first half when a 70-metre counter attack – started by Comley – found scrum-half Dylan Rees in support to collect and cross. Higgins again added the conversion.

Betws soon secured their bonus point when wing Rhys Williams kicked ahead for full back Dan Madge to collect and score on his debut.

Higgins converted from the touchline to ensure Betws enjoyed a 28-0 lead, but Trimsaran responded with an opportunist try when Jamie Jennings won the race to a chip-and-chase to reduce the deficit.

However, the home pack were in no mood to let slip their dominance and they took control with some powerful driving play, culminating in prop Shaun George crashing over. Higgins again converted .

Full credit must go to the visitors, however, as their youngsters continued to spread the ball at every opportunity.

They managed to claw their way back into the game with talented outside-half Lee Bates and full back Lee Thomas both breaking through to score near the end of the first half. Conversions by Thomas ensured the visitors went into the break 35-19 behind.

Early in the second half Betws were reduced to 14 men as debutant Madge was shown yellowand Thomas made the most of the numerical advantage to further reduce the arrears with a well-struck penalty for Trimsaran.

But Betws regained their composure midway through the half and their pack earned another penalty try before a strong run fromcentre Mark Thomas created an opening for second row Mark Rewston to dive over and score.

Another strong scrum on halfway enabled Higgins to break the line and put Thomas in for a converted try.

But again Trimsaran showed their character and continued battling away to secure a bonus point as Bates went over for a second time.

But it was Betws who enjoyed the last word as a strong run by new wing-forward Gareth Comley found prop George in support.

He, in turn, provided the scoring pass to ever-present centre Cellan Davies,with Higgins again adding the extras.