Fixture

Abergele 24 - 24 Mold 

A good crowd, a warm sunny day and the anticipation of an historic first ever outing for the hosts in the North Wales 1st division were all the motivation needed for Abergele to take on the established 1st division team Mold, there was an expectancy at Pentre Mawr, and neither team disappointed. The build up to this momentous fixture had been intense for everyone within the club but the hard work during close season by the players and coaches was about to be tested. 

The visitors were favourites to take the spoils but Gele had different ideas, the early exchanges were fast, furious and very physical and despite early season rustiness from both teams Gele looked comfortable competing at this, the highest level the club has played at, from the whistle. 

The opening score went to Mold who managed to charge down a clearance kick, secure the ball and cross the line for a gifted try, they followed this up shortly after following an infringement to score a long range penalty. 

It would have been easy for Gele to let their heads drop but they continued with their game plan and applied good pressure which resulted in 3 penalties before half time, all converted by Owain Davies to go to the break 1 point to the good. 

The second half continued at a high tempo with Gele still looking as though they’d played at this level for some time when, as with the first half, another charge down resulted in another try for Mold who again followed it up with a penalty, Gele then, again through Owain Davies, added a penalty of their own. The last quarter was going to be a tense affair, Mold took the initiative with a well organised driving maul which Gele were adjudged to have brought down giving the ref no choice but to award the try under the posts. This spurred Joe Lavin and his team and from a penalty 40 yards out which this time hit the upright an ever alert Jack Gronow chased hard and with great determination and bravery made a spectacular dive to touch down which unfortunately for him resulted in a dislocated elbow. 

This spurred Gele to lift the intensity which resulted in the try of the match, Josh Woods made another rampaging run into the Mold 22, Jon Evans cleared out the defence for Ian Marshall to release his backs, a clever reverse switch from Rich Medlicott opened up a Gap for Steve Wiggill to charge over close to the posts and again Owain Davies converted to bring the scores 18-21. With the clock ticking towards the 80 minutes Gele took another 2 penalty opportunities and Mold replied with one of their own resulting in a well deserved draw and Gele rueing a couple of charge downs, which on another day may well have taken a different bounce. Coaches Jimmy Waring, Simon Woods and Paul Evans will take a lot of positives from this tight match, not least the great spirit shown in coming back twice from a two score deficit but will also have things to work on before next week’s encounter at Llandudno. 

All at the club would like to thank match day sponsors, McCoubrey Cooke for their continued support. 

The next seniors home match is Abergele 2nds v Rhuthin 2nds on 19th September, 2.30pm kick off.

We would also like to wish Winger Jack Gronow a speedy recovery following a nasty injury as he crossed the whitewash this afternoon - Get well soon from all at the Club!