Fixture

Mold 6 – 10 Abergele 

The Chester Road pitch was only one of two playable in North Wales Division One, and with gale force gusts blowing down the pitch, the weather again was going to dictate tactics for both sides. The corresponding fixture which opened the season on a sunny day back in September resulted in a 24 all draw, and recent form suggested this could be another close encounter. 

The home side had the advantage of the wind and slope in the first half and put the visitors under a great deal of pressure, a combination of forward drives and the quick hands of the backs kept the Gele defence busy and when Gele did beat the gales and venture into the home team’s half a long clearing kick relieved the pressure. Given the amount of pressure Mold exerted it is a great credit, once again, to the organisation and determination of the Gele defence that the teams turned around at half time with Mold just three points to the good. 

Gele didn’t take long to make the best of the elements, an outstanding break from Ben Jones and typical support from Danny Lawrence had the visitors within a metre of the line, the ball was recycled a number of times before going wide to nimble footed hooker Josh Woods, who evaded a couple of tacklers and powered over, the conversion by Owain Davies was successful. 

The second half was a great arm wrestle with all 30 players giving their all, the ref also showed great empathy, keeping the game flowing. Mold showed their greater experience at this level and made a number of sorties into the Gele half but as with the first half only had a penalty to show for their efforts, again the Gele defensive display was outstanding and although Gele spent the majority of the period in the Mold half of the pitch their only other score was a long range penalty from Owain Davies. 

The final few minutes of the half was a tense affair for the hardy supporters who braved the horrendous conditions but Gele hung on in there to take the spoils of what was, despite the weather a highly entertaining match. 

Next week Abergele 2nds entertain Bala 2nds at Pentre Mawr.