Fixture

Bro made the trip to mid Wales looking to start their season after last week’s home match was postponed due to the heavy rain. The weather at Meifod was in total contrast to the previous week as the sun was shining and the temperature was very warm whilst the pitch looked in great condition - a great day for a game of rugby.

Bro started the strongest, dominating possession in the first 20 minutes and they converted the pressure into points, going ahead in the 11^th minute thanks to a penalty kick by outside half Mathew Williams. Three minutes later Bro used the ball well, moving it wide through the hands and it was Mathew Williams who was on hand to go over for Bro’s first try of the season. Unfortunately he couldn’t convert on this occasion. After 20 minutes, Cobra started to find their feet in the match and were unlucky not to score after fine work from the inside centre who offloaded to his centre partner who couldn’t quite hold on to the ball. They were rewarded on the half hour with a penalty kick of their own and Harry Jukes duly converted.

Bro responded brilliantly two minutes later, after Cobra kicked the ball down the field Daniel Jones gathered and found a large hole in the middle of the field and went on one of his trademark runs into the Cobra half and when he was tackled just beyond the 10 metre line, he offloaded brilliantly to the excellent Huw Parry who ran in to score under the posts. Mathew Williams converted and Bro headed into the interval with a 15-3 lead which was just reward for their efforts.

The second half couldn’t have started any better, the impressive Dewi James using a combination of footwork and power to go over the line for an unconverted try and extending the Bro lead to 20-3. This sparked life into the Cobra side and within 10 minutes they scored their first try of the match through number 12, who in the process knocked the ball on with his left hand before regathering and scoring. To everyone’s surprise, the try was awarded but Cobra missed with the conversion, score now 20-8. It was Bro’s turn to score next, on 55 minutes Bro worked through the phases and powerful prop Paul Kalafusz went over the line to clinch a bonus point for Bro. Ian Roberts successful with the conversion.

Cobra then had their best period of the match as they took control and were rewarded for their pressure with a try by Jack Jukes with 15 minutes to go to bring the score to 27-13. By this time Bro had some tired bodies, not helped by only playing one game in pre-season and Cobra had most of the possession for the next 10 minutes although Bro’s defence were resolute and managed to halt any Cobra inroads, turning the ball over on a couple of occasions in the process.

Bro did manage to win back and retain possession for the last 5 minutes of the game showing good game management and were awarded two penalty kicks during this period although one sailed wide and the other hitting the post, but Bro had done enough and the final whistle sounded securing a bonus point win for the men from Ffestiniog on their return to division 1.

A satisfying afternoon on the road for Bro with several excellent performances. Next week we welcome Colwyn Bay to Dolawel fields in what promises to be another very tough encounter.

Bro’s second XV made their league return on Saturday after a two season absence against Pwllheli 2nds. Pwllheli started as firm favourites, but they did not have it all their own way in a physical encounter with the match ending 17-5 to the visitors. The Bro men should be proud of their efforts and head to Llangefni next Saturday.