CLWB RYGBI WRECSAM WREXHAM RUGBY CLUB

Bryn Estyn Road, Wrexham, North Wales. LL13 9TY

SENIOR RUGBY

LEAGUES

MATCH REPORTS

OFICIALS

SPONSORS

ARCHIVES

Team Selection and Scorers

REPORT

Rhyl Youth’s 36-13 victory over Wrexham Youth in a top of the table contest at Bryn Estyn Road avenged their early season loss to their hosts and they were duly crowned as North Wales Division One Champions.

Wrexham, however, finished their season in second position under head coach Ian Morris, their highest placing for three decades and a just reward for a fine team effort. They competed well with a confident Rhyl side and looked as though they could unsettle the champions when they reached half-time trailing by only 10-14 against the wind.

A surging try by centre Danny Sissons and a conversion and a penalty by outside-half Jamie Morris had kept them firmly in the game against Rhyl’s two converted tries. The pivotal moment came early on in the second-half when referee Rhodri Gravelle failed to spot a forward pass and the visitors were able to score a try that put them two scores in front.

Despite another excellent penalty by Morris when a Rhyl flanker was sin-binned for striking a home player, Wrexham were never able to get on terms again and conceded defeat when Rhyl ran in two late tries with a conversion and a penalty.    

Wrexham Youth left it late but remained on track for their best finish to the season for two decades when they defeated a good Caernarfon side at Bryn Estyn Road by 22-12. The visitors opened the scoring with a penalty by outside-half Gruffudd Arfon but were soon overtaken by four successive penalties from Wrexham outside-half Jamie Morris as the home side recovered.

Just before the break, however, Caernarfon powered back and narrowed the gap to 12-9 at half-time with two more Arfon penalties. Again seizing the initiative after the break, the visitors levelled the scores with a fourth Arfon penalty and put Wrexham under intense pressure.

Good work from stand-in scrum-half Owain Turner, hooker Dave Blackwell, centre Danny Sissons and full-back Ashley Dawson turned the tide, however, and Wrexham scored a fine try through flanker Jake Edwards with only six minutes to go. Morris converted from wide out and then made the game safe with a last minute penalty.

Wrexham Youth Team’s hopes of winning the North Wales Division One Championship were severely dented at Bryn Estyn Road when they fell to Nant Conwy by 14-5 at Bryn Estyn Road.

They still top the table by one point from favourites Rhyl, who have two games in hand, but will have to rely on Mold beating Rhyl on the 18^th April if they are to have any chance of claiming the title

Wrexham’s Under 19’s put last week’s league and cup defeat at Mold behind them by overcoming the touring Pembroke Harlequins Youth side by 17-14 at Bryn Estyn Road on Saturday.

Tries from centre George Cheesbrough, flanker Kenny Simms and lock Tom Crawford, plus a conversion from outside-half Kieran Morris, put the home side in the driving seat before they had to weather a late storm from the West Walians

With Wrexham Firsts having a weekend off it was the turn of the up-and-coming players to take centre stage at Bryn Estyn Road, and they did it in convincing style by defeating visitors Llangefni Youth by 22-18 in a pulsating top-of-the-table match.

Early pressure from a classy Llangefni side produced a 4^th minute penalty that outside-half Carwyn Milburn kicked to open the scoring. Wrexham soon got into their stride with half-backs Kieran and Jamie Morris combining well to create a series of attacks and centres Danny Sissons and George Cheesbrough softening up the visitors’ defence.

They levelled the scores only five minutes later when Llangefni strayed offside under pressure and Kieran Morris struck a fine penalty to level the scores. The rest of the half was a nip and tuck affair with Llangefni gradually gaining the upper hand and reclaiming the lead with a Milburn penalty just before the break.

The second-half began slowly but Wrexham started to dominate the forward battle with number eight Geraint Jones looking particularly impressive. A quickly taken tap penalty in the Llangefni 22 led to the ball being fed to replacement winger Christian Chalk who stretched his legs and scored in the right corner.

In front for the first time in the game, Wrexham came back for more and were awarded a penalty try in the 58^th minute when the Llangefni forwards killed the ball on their line under intense pressure. Jamie Morris added the simple conversion to put his side two scores ahead.

However, sensing the game slipping away from them, Llangefni countered strongly and narrowed the gap only five minutes later when flanker Huw Williams crashed over from a tap penalty move. Wrexham’s response was immediate and spectacular as Jamie Morris spotted hooker David Blackwell lurking far to his left and kicked the ball diagonally for the Welsh international to catch and score in the corner.

A superb conversion from the touchline by Kieran Morris seemed to seal it for the home side with only five minutes to go, but there were anxious moments as Llangefni swept upfield again and scored through hooker Richard Jones. Once again Carwyn Milburn added the extra points with a well struck conversion, but time had run out and the referee’s whistle signalled the end of a marvellous game, Wrexham now leading the Division One Championship by two clear points.

Wrexham Youth Team proved to be too strong for Bangor at Cae Milltir as they notched a 30-14 success to move into the quarter-finals of the North Wales Youth Cup.  They raced into a 15-0 lead with a brace of tries by centre Danny Sissons, and another unconverted touchdown by prop David Blackwell, but then lost momentum and conceded two scores that cut their lead to only one point.

However, outside-half Kieran Morris, hooker John Morton and centre George Cheesbrough led by fine example and the visitors pulled away again with a try by Morton and another for Sissons with Morris landing a conversion and a penalty for good measure.   

Wrexham’s Under 19’s defied a well drilled home side and stormy conditions at Pwllheli to keep their North Wales Youth Division Championship hopes alive with a 13-0 success.

Constant pressure when Wrexham had the elements in their favour in the first-half gave outside-half Jamie Morris the opportunity to kick his side into the lead with a penalty, and this was followed up by an unconverted try from a tap penalty move by flanker Rob Moore.

The visiting forwards, well served by the return to the side of hooker David Blackwell, continued to play impressively against the gale in the second-half, rarely allowing Pwllheli to gain any momentum. It was the backs, however, who had the final say as they created a free flowing move to send winger Christian Chalk racing in for their second match clinching try.

Early pressure from the home forwards, props Gareth Griffiths and Ben Harrison looking in dominant form, earned the home side a stream of possession and led to the first try of the game. The ball was worked from a ruck to flanker Danny Sissons in midfield and he used his strength to power over from 15 metres, outside-half Jamie Morris adding the conversion.

Morris kicked a penalty to give Wrexham a 10-0 lead at the break and then he combined with his brother Kieran to send winger Christian Chalk scampering over in the corner for a try that he duly converted. Storming runs by Wrexham number eight Geraint Jones kept Wrexham in the driving seat, scrum-half Kieran Morris added a penalty and Ruthin gained some consolation with a penalty and a late converted try.    

The visitors continued to dominate the forward exchanges with prop Ben Harrison and flanker Declan Simms in outstanding form and Gareth Griffiths supporting well in the threequarters, but Llangefni held an ace in the number and quality of their replacements and used them to good effect to overtake the visitors with a converted try and three penalties.      

REPORT

Llangollen came out on top of this enthralling Division Four contest at Dinas Bran, but Wrexham played a full part as they bounced back from a 0-17 half-time deficit before leading by 19-17 in the second-half and then running out of steam following the sin binning of number eight Keir Harding.

Tries by wingers David McHugh and Llion Morris plus one from Keir Harding, with two conversions from outside-half Carl Pugh, completed the scoring for the visitors. There were also excellent performances from scrum-half Gavin Brace and Dave Thomas who played at full-back before being pressed into action in the second-row.      

Wrexham Seconds suffered a last minute defeat in their Division Four home match against Flint when the Deesiders kicked a last gasp penalty to secure a 15-14 victory. A first-half try by number eight Keir Harding and a conversion by outside-half Richard Lloyd cancelled out an early converted try by the visitors to leave the teams level at 7-7 at the break.

Wrexham went ahead with a second-half try by flanker Dave Morris and another conversion by Lloyd, but the visitors staged a late comeback with an unconverted try and then that last minute penalty to claim the points

Wrexham Seconds and Flint overcame atrocious wet and muddy conditions at Flint to put on a terrific show of rugby in their North Wales Division Four contest, the visitors coming back at the end to clinch a 23-15 victory.

Wrexham’s tries came from number eight Keir Harding, lock Jason Parry and hooker Dave Green while outside-half Jamie Morris slotted a conversion and two penalties. The visitors found themselves trailing by 14-15 in the final quarter but rallied with a fine team performance including good displays from scrum-half Gavin Brace and centre Anthony Lang.

Wrexham’s revival in North Wales Division Four came to a shuddering halt at Menai Bridge where the local side was able to chalk up its first win of the season. The visiting pack dominated the forward exchanges but Menai Bridge were slicker on the breakaways and notched two tries against the run of play that turned the game.

Wrexham’s points came from a penalty by outside-half Carl Pugh while lock Iwan Roberts deserved a mention for his ball carrying runs at the opposition. Hooker Paul Allen also acquitted himself well when he had to take over at prop from Rob Thatcher who suffered an injury.

Wrexham Seconds, having had to wait until last week before they could claim their first league win of the season, did it again on Saturday when then outpointed hitherto unbeaten Nant Conwy Seconds by 15-14 at Bryn Estyn Road.

They fought back from an early 0-7 deficit to reach half-time 10-7 in front, thanks to a try by flanker Dave Morris and a conversion and penalty by outside-half Carl Pugh. With Adam Jones putting in some scorching runs down the wing and prop Iwan Roberts and flanker Keir Harding carrying the game to Nant, they went further ahead with another Morris try before the visitors edged closer with a late consolation goal.

Wrexham returned with an away win for the first time this season in a hard fought victory in awful conditions. Wrexham absorbed Caernarfon pressure in the first half & dominated the 2nd half scoring three tries through No 8 Mike Jones, Openside Rhodri Llwyd Ifans & replacement wing Will Gauntlett, the margin could have been much greater but the poor conditions & final passes going astray meant that the bonus point was not obtained.

With a good team performance, Wrexham Seconds managed to hold the North Wales Division Four leaders to a 0-7 half-time score in their contest at Bryn Estyn Road. They then reduced the arrears with an unconverted try by lock Iwan Roberts but, despite another good display from number eight Keir Harding, they ran out of steam in the last 10 minutes, conceded late tries and fell to their fourth successive league defeat.  

Wrexham scored more tries than the visitors but still fell to their third successive defeat in the North Wales Division Three Championship. Their tries came from flanker Dave Morris (2), prop Rob Pierce and outside-half Richard Lloyd who also landed one conversion. Pierce and Lloyd were the outstanding performers for the home side.

2nd XV took the field with a youthful look, youth team players Rob Moore, Joss Stott & Kieran Morris all making significant appearances in an exciting encounter.

Wrexham had their strongest backline out of the season & made their intentions clear that the ball would be moved about on great day for running rugby. Scrum Half Mike Powell sneaked in up the blind side from a 5m scrum to open the scoring a difficult conversion was missed.

Wrexham's pack were taking control with the back row trio of Moore, Noon, Harding ably supported by lively hooker Gill were making big inroads into Denbigh teritory. From a typical bullocking Gill run the ball was recycled wuickly for Rich Lloyd to release centre Johnny Davies on a 50 metre run to the line, which he took with some aplomb rounding the full back for an excellent score which Lloyd converted.

The scenario was repeated twice within a few minutes only for Davies & Gemmell to be caught by the full back when a sympathetic pass to the supporting Lloyd would have resulted in a certain 14 points. Wrexhams indiscipline at the breakdown resulted in a quick tap penalty with lead to a Denbigh try. This was repeated in the 2nd half.

The second half was much the same with Wrexham playing some great rugby with forwards & backs hitting the line at pace, despite this Wrexham could not kill Denbigh off with the final pass not been clinical enough & four to five try scoring opportunities went astray. Wrexham scored further tries through Hooker Gill, the impressive loose forward Moore, Flanker Harding & the lively veteran Rich Lloyd, two of which were converted by Lloyd along with an additional penalty.

Denbigh kept themselves in the game with excellent scrambling defence & a lively half back pairing who created & scored a couple of breakaway tries. They must be commended for their spirit & kep their nerve to score a further try when both packs locked horns for a quick scuffle. Wrexham deserved the victory but the margin should have been a great deal bigger. A stern test awaits them next week with the visit of Abergele.

Notebale performances came from each of the youth team players, Moore, Stott & Morris aided by the impressive John Gill. There was also a welcome return for Mark Gasson in midfield.

Mold scored some excellent tries through their speedy backs & their goalkicker kicked every opportunity handed to him in a fine display. However Veteran outside half Carl Pugh had a 100% record prior to leaving the field with 13 points & rigormortice in the 2nd half.

Wrexham dominated the scrum with Rob's Thatcher & Pierce prominant in both the tight & loose. Pierce was only overshadowed by the outstanding Mike Powell at scrum half who weighed in with two tries & a high tempo performance in linking forward & back play. It is shame that a forthcoming operation will result in the end of a promising career at such a young age, we all wish him well.

There was also a welcome return for Rhodri Ifans to the club after a season or twos absence. Mark Jones once again showed his versatility by playing extremely well in the back row.

Wrexham contributed to an entertaining fixture, however unforced errors contrived to hand Llangollen their first victory at Bryn Estyn Road. Llangollen were well disciplined & have put a lot of hard work onto the training paddock & so it proved on Saturday as they had the upper hand in defence & at the ruck. They have improved each season under the guidance of Butties & his fellow coaches & congratulations to them all. For Wrexham it was good to see Robbie Pierce make his comeback after a serious injury lead to 4 year break. Wrexham scored two well worked tries. A typical catch & drive from the lineout resulted in a try for Gareth Noon & short side move engineered by No 8 Noon & effervescent scrum half Richie Lloyd freeing Full back Will Gauntlett for a 50yd canter home. Lloyd converted both & added a penalty.

In the dying minutes Scotty Davies's amazing inflatable knees managed to nudge the ball some 25 yds into the dead ball area for Dave Anderson to score his 4th try of the game.

Noteable performances for Wrexham came through centre Johnny Davies & hooker Mark Jones. The team performed well in patches however some work on the trining field may stand us in good stead.