Dinas Powys 29 v Llantrisant 19

A SUN drenched Common provided perfect conditions for running rugby and the crowd that gathered were rewarded with a humdinger of a match, the result of which was decided in the final minutes of the contest.

The visitors from Llantrisant dominated the early period of the contest and after a series of rolling mauls the inevitable try was scored. The home side were finally getting into the contest as they enjoyed a period of possession in the visitors 22 metre area.

The apparent try scoring opportunity was wasted as a two man overlap was squandered by the throwing of a long mis-pass that was intercepted by the visitors right wing who raced 95 metres to score the try, that was converted.

After a quarter of the contest the home side were trailing by 12 points and facing an uphill challenge against an accomplished Llantrisant side. The visitors had a full back with a huge boot that gained huge territory, a faultless line-out and were a well drilled unit with an accomplished set of threequarters.

The response from the Dinas Powys Villagers during the remainder of the first half was a period of exhilarating running rugby that saw them run in three stunning tries resulting in 19 unanswered points.

The quality of the interplay during this period was outstanding as the home side ran the ball from all areas of the pitch, outside half Ben White controlling the game masterfully and with centre Bryn Evans giving his forwards a target to rampage over, producing fast quality ball for the excellent scrum half Sam Middlemiss.

The Villagers opened their account with a try from full back Rhys Evans following fine interplay between White and Tom Davies allowing Evans to cross in the left corner. The home side were rampant and a hurried clearance kick by the visitors saw full back Evans beat the first tackler with a burst of pace before kicking over the advancing defenders re-gathering the ball and scoring under the posts.

The final try of the first half was the finest try seen on the Common this season, White ran from deep in his own half, the ball was passed between forwards Gareth Williams and Lewis Dunleavy who returned the ball to White to cross for a sensational try in the right hand corner. The outside half enjoying his finest performance of the season converted his try from the touchline and the Villagers led by 19-12 at half-time.

The visitors levelled the score after 10 minutes of the restart, as the visitors scrum half crossed for a try that was converted after a sustained period of pressure.

The second half was a tense affair, played in good spirit as two well matched, accomplished sides strove for victory. Strong carries by flanker Ryan Shallish and Huw Thomas saw the Villagers start to gain the territorial advantage that drew the penalty that allowed the home side to take the lead through the boot of White as the game entered the final quarter.

The defensive display from the home side during this final period assured victory as huge tackles by number eight Josh Dunleavy and skipper Rhys Gambold prevented further scoring by the visitors.

The climax of the game saw the Villagers of Dinas Powys enjoy a sustained period of pressure as the forwards drove towards the touchline, chances were not taken as final passes were not thrown or went astray.

Victory was finally guaranteed as the ball was moved sweetly along the backs to release the admirable Tom Davies on the right wing to cross in the corner in the final minute of the game. A stunning bonus point gaining victory against a side that are pushing for promotion will hopefully allow the youthful home side to push for a strong finish to the season.

Congratulations to the Dingoes on gaining victory over Fairwater in the semi-final of the Mallett cup, gaining themselves an outing at the Arms Park on Friday, May 13.