Rugby: Dowlais is much improved but still searching for league win

Oct 18 2007 by Our Correspondent, Merthyr Express

Dowlais 13Llandaff North 19

DOWLAIS produced a much improved performance but are still searching for their first league win of the season.

The home side threatened the visitors early on with a series of forward drives, with Lyn Williams and namesake Chris prominent.

From a hack upfield Dowlais conceded a penalty and outside-half Nigel Evans opened the scoring.

Llandaff soon doubled their lead with Evans kicking another penalty.

Dowlais looked to get back into the game with flanker Simon Griffiths forcing turnover ball only for the final pass to be knocked on, bringing an end to a promising move.

Dowlais were awarded a penalty but unfortunately Andrew Thomas saw his effort fall short.

With half-time approaching Dowlais were reduced to 14 men, with Dan Davies sin-binned.

Evans added his third penalty to give the visitors a 9-0 interval lead.

With the half-time team talk ringing in their ears the Dragons tore into Llandaff with Simon Griffiths to the fore.

A move started deep in their own half by prop Mike Prosser was carried on by Neil Giles then to powerful winger Dean Lackman, who sliced through the defence on a 50-metre run before centre Nicky Minnet chipped the full-back and won the race for the touchdown.

With Scott Brennan kicking the difficult conversion Dowlais were right back in the game at 9-7.

The Dragons were able to get a foothold in the opposition half and went into the lead with a drop goal from young outside-half Dale Heinz. A high tackle enabled Brennan to extend the home side’s lead to 13-9.

But, with their first win beckoning, Dowlais hit the self-destruct button and needless penalties gave Llandaff North a route back into the match with Evans slotting his fourth penalty.

This seemed to dent the Dragons’ confidence and with time almost up a missed tackle allowed centre Rob Davies to cross under the posts, with Evans adding the simple conversion for victory.

The defeat leaves Dowlais still searching for their first win of the season.