Ammanford Sport

Division Four West Llanybydder 25 Betws 34

7:50am Wednesday 25th January 2012

AFTER a poor start to the season Betws are steadily climbing the table and secured a further victory on the road at Llanybydder with the addition of a bonus point, despite some worrying defensive lapses.

Llanybydder exposed the unorganised defence in the very first minute as a quick counter-attack from near their own line ended with wing Dean Colley sprinting clear to score.

Betws put this setback quickly behind them, hitting back immediately as hooker Ian Morris powered over following a catch and drive lineout secured by player-coach Steve Butler. Outside half Owen Higgins added the excellent touchline conversion into a strong wind to put them 7-5 ahead.

However, the lead was short-lived as Llanybydder outside half Darren Griffiths brushed off some weak tackling to score following a closerange lineout.

Owen Higgins levelled with a penalty before Betws centre Richard Thomas put his side back in front with a well timed run to split the home defence and score after the forwards had stolen an opposition lineout.

The frantic play continued and a try quickly followed for co-centre and brother Mark Thomas following an excellent turnover created by hardworking wing-forward Nathan Davies, Higgins converting to put Betws 22-10 ahead.

Again poor defence cost the visitors as they allowed Llanybydder back into the game when a chip ahead by Higgins led to a long-range counter-at t a ck , Dean Colley again finishing off after some slick handling for a 22-15 half time score.

Llanybydder stunned Betws with another first-minute try on the restart as Darren Griffiths again evaded some poor defence to score and convert to again level the scores.

The Betws forwards took control and tightened things up from this point with their scrum power keeping the home pack under pressure.

This eventually led to the visitors regaining the lead with a pushover try by No8 Neil Lewis.

Llanybydder reduced the deficit with a penalty to set up a tense final quarter, but the Betws forwards kept the homesters penned deep in their own half.

Betws eventually sealed the bonus point win in the final minute when, following a series of close range scrums, they were awarded a penalty try as the referee finally ran out of patience with the enforced infringements by the home pack.

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