Llandybie emerge with the derby spoils

Before the game both teams had observed a minute’s silence for the passing of two former Llandybie players, Wyn Williams and Barrie Jones.

The visitors opened the scoring early with a drive from a line-out, touched down by Wyn Griffiths.

But when Llandybie captain Rhys Evans chipped ahead, the ball was gathered by Ioan Rees with Penygroes knocking on – and from the scrum Penygroes were penalised, and a quickly-taken penalty by Tom Griffith saw hooker Rhys Cann power over.

Good forward play by Penygroes then resulted in a try for Jamie Tudor, converted by Chris Powell, but Llandybie again showed their character as they responded positively to take the lead before half-time.

A kick out of defence was gathered by Wayne Williams who counter attacked to take Llandybie into Penygroes twenty two. Good interplay by Llandybie with Merlyn McClelland driving on just short but picked up by Jordan Tommason to score. A good run by Aled Tommason supported by lock McClelland and Ioan Rees handed to Rhys Evans to score under the posts converted by Nathan Thomas. A penalty for offside kicked by Thomas saw Llandybie lead 20 – 12 at half time.

Rhys Cann opens the scoring for Llandybie Picture: John B R Davies

An early second half carry by McClelland driven on by Cann with Tommason on hand to score his second try converted by Thomas. With Connor Butler conspicuous with his tackling for Llandybie and Tom Griffith moving to scrum half for the home side Llandybie were moving the tiring Penygroes forwards around and launched an attack from their twenty two putting Josh Watkins in space, he switched on the afterburners to outpace the cover to score a great try. Penygroes fought back with a good crosskick by Chris Powell and using good forward drives scored a try out wide by Josh Powell.

Penygroes lost a prop and went passive scrums which meant losing a player by the new ruling so had to play the match out with fourteen men.

Rhys Evans dives over under the posts Picture: John B R Davies

Llandybie moved the ball into the Penygroes twenty two and good drives from Steff Thomas and Ethan Walters gave a try to Garin Criddle converted by Thomas. From another attack a cross kick by Rees was palmed down by Rhydian Jones to Wayne Willams who rolled and broke two tackles to score out wide converted from the touchline by Nathan Thomas. Penygroes went on the attack, but a dropped pass was hacked ahead by Rhys Evans and gathered to go wide where Connor Butler was on hand to score in the corner to complete the scoring. A good match to watch with both sides throwing the ball about. The rematch next week at Penygroes.