Betws 48 – Trebanos 12

Betws completed a tremendous season with another powerful and entertaining performance in their final fixture against Trebanos and in the process pipping Ystradgynlais to become champions of Division 5 South West. Home supporters were again treated to a another eight tries as the team again demonstrated their power and pace with Captain Paul Roberts deservedly leading his team to the title, rewarding the hard work of manager Doug Davies and coaches Gary and Mark Davies this season.

 

Ian Morris has the "fifth" try disallowed

Phil Saunders touches down for the all important 5th try

Betws were aware form the outset that they needed to win with five tries to overtake Ystradgynlais and they started in a determined fashion as wing forward Gavin Thomas grabbed a brace of early tries as they stormed the visitors’ line. A counter-attack by Trebanos saw their strong running full back Andrew Penhale make a 60 metre break with centre Rod Jones in support to score and reduce the deficit, with outside half Rhodri Thomas adding the conversion.

The home team however continued to apply the pressure and a loose kick out of defence found wing Rhys Williams who used his superior pace to race 40 metres to score in the corner. The outstanding front row of Gareth Jones, Paul Roberts and Ian Morris were again applying the pressure in the scrums and their domination in this area enabled outside half Phil Saunders to set off on a typical break form inside his own half. Scrum half Dylan Rees was in support to score the try with full back Mathew Rees adding the conversion to give the home a 22-7 lead after half an hours play. Betws continued to work hard to score the elusive fifth try and prop Ian Morris crossed only to have the try disallowed as the referee adjudged that he’d been held up.
 

Captain Paul Roberts leads his team off the field

Let the celebrations begin!

An injure to one of the visiting props early in the second half forced the introduction of passive scrums which disadvantaged the home eight who had gained superiority in this aspect of the game. This lead to a more open type of game which seemed to suit Trebanos but a poor chip by them out of defence was quickly run back and some slick passing saw Phil Saunders slicing through to score the all important fifth try. A penalty try awarded for an early tackle on scrum half Dylan Rees and the subsequent conversion by Mathew Rees put the result beyond doubt, but Trebanos hit back with a well deserved try by second row Liam Jones.

The scoring was completed by Betws after Joe Adams secured good lineout ball enabling Dylan Rees to set off on a 40 metre run supported by replacement wing forward Wayne Comley who crossed for the final try giving the home team the convincing win needed to clinch the title.