Fixture

Betws were in action this weekend against fellow unbeaten side, Nantgaredig. Both teams were eager to keep their 100% winning start to the season going but someone’s 0 had to go. Nantgaredig were the first on the scoreboard when they used their weight advantage upfront to push the Betws scrum over from 5 metres out (5-0). 

Nant were determined to add to their early lead by pinning Betws in their half with a number of quality kicks, keeping the back 3 of Daniel Thomas, Ashley Evans and Carwyn Davies busy from the outset. The pressure finally paid off when Betws had an opportunity to attack, but a wayward pass was intercepted by a Nantgaredig player who ran in the try for their second score of the game (10-0). 

The mistake by Betws seemed to finally wake them up and they started to look like the better side. Going through phase after phase, they were able to work their way into the Nantgaredig half which resulted in a penalty in a kickable position. Player-coach, Adrian Thomas stepped up and slotted the points to bring Betws back to within a converted try (10-3). 

Further pressure by Betws led to more ill-discipline from Nantgaredig which saw their centre being sent to the bin for 10 minutes and allow Thomas to add another 3 points to close the gap to 4 (10-6). Betws were determined to make the extra man count and went straight on the attack but Nant were able to capitalise on another Betws mistake and run the length of the field for a break away try. To Betws’ luck, Nant’s outside-half missed his third conversion of the game taking them into the half 15-6up. 

Half Time

Betws started the second half the better side when they decided to attack straight from the kick off. Some hard carrying by the Betws pack opened up a number of gaps in the Nantgaredig defence which the backs were able to exploit. A lovely break by Betws nearly resulted in a try, but Nant were able to scramble back and stop the Betws threat. A great turnover by Nant and quick distribution by their scrum-half found them on the counter attack which caught the Betws defence napping. Nant’s winger found himself in space out wide and with only one Betws defender to beat, he put a great chip kick inside which was picked up and touched down under the sticks. Nant’s outside was then able to add his first points of the game (22-6).

The game then went through a period of stalemate, with Betws trying to claw themselves back into the game, and Nantgaredig trying to hold on to their lead. With time running thin, and an 18-point gap to close, Betws started to play more expansive, running rugby. Nantgaredig were able to take advantage of the more riskier rugby Betws were now playing and another lose pass was picked up by Nantgaredig who were able to score their 5^thtry of the game (27-6). With less than 10 minutes left to play and the game all but lost, a gallant effort by Betws was unable to stop Nant running in another two tries to finish out the game 37-6 winners. 

This was Betws’ first loss of the season and the boys will take a lot from the game. The team will now have a 2-week gap before they are back on the road away to local side, Amman United, where they will look to put things right and get back to winning ways.