Top notch Betws pile the pressure on

11:03am Wednesday 30th April 2008

Betws 55 New Dock Starts 5 Asda National League Division 5 South West Betws produced another tremendous performance to keep the pressure on league leaders Ystradgynlais as they enter a crucial last week of the season.

With two games to play this week against Gowerton (Wednesday) and Trebanos on Saturday (both home) the championship could be decided on try count if Betws can produce the same form with two bonus point wins.

The homesters were fortunate to score first as the visitors applied the early pressure, but a spilled pass in midfield was picked up by centre Gavin Davies who put in a 50 metre run before finding outside half Phil Saunders in support to finish off the long range try, with Davies converting.

Having defended for most of the half the forwards made the most of their first real attack on the visiting line when they drove from a close range lineout with impressive wing forward Emyr Timothy held up.

But No8 and man of the match Dan Howells was on hand to power over, with Davies again adding the touchline conversion.

The homesters finished the half strongly and a storming run from second row Joe Adams was taken on by captain and hooker Paul Roberts, with quick ruck ball enabling Davies to put wing Mark Thomas in space before powering through the cover defence to score.

New Dock Stars, who are fourth in the league, again started strongly demonstrating the danger in their back play to create overlaps, forcing home wings Mark Thomas and Cellan Davies into making try saving tackles.

However, the homesters again showed their power, pace and clinical finishing as full back Mathew Rees scored and converted after Howells started the move with a storming run from a scrum only five metres from his own line.

The home forwards took control from this point on with a strong scrum enabling Roberts to take another strike again the head, allowing centre Davies to break the defence and score with Rees converting.

New Dock Stars reduced the defecit when the homesters were caught napping at a quickly taken penalty as the visiting backs again created an overlap for lurking wing forward Phil Vincent to score.

However, the home forwards were back to business from the kick off as turnover ball provided by Roberts enabled Joe Adams to set off on yet another run before finding player/coach Gary Davies in support to slice through for his second try.

Pocket dynamo Dylan Rees at scrum half continued to dictate play from the set piece and a planned move from a scrum on the half way saw him create the space for wing Cellan Davies, who made no mistake.

Adams again provided the possession for Howells to set off on another powerful 50 metre run with replacement wing Rhys Williams quickly in support to round on the battered defence.

Howells deservedly had the final word in another impressive performance when he scored the ninth try as he strolled through from the final short range scrum, with Mathew Rees converting.

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