SALE JETS 33 GOGLEDD CYMRU 13
Gogledd Cymru gave one of their best rugby displays to date, losing to Sale Jets 33-13 at Heywood Road last night.
For large parts of the game Gogledd Cymru more than held their own against a Jets side which included New Zealand Maori, Kristian Ormsby, returning from injury and fellow Sharks squad members David Tait, Will Cliff and James Jones.
Wil Bown, leader of Gogledd Cymru for the past three season, was joined in the backrow by COBRA's Alun Jones and the versatile Andrew Baston. This combination turned over ball and crossed the gain line on a number of occasions disrupting the Jets attack and challenging their defence
For thirty minutes the score was 5-3 to the Jets with an unconverted try by Sharks flanker James Jones and a penalty by the Gogs fullback Rhodri Carlton Jones. This was a critical part of the game in which Gogledd Cymru created two excellent try scoring opportunities. Charismatic centre Jack Moorhouse broke through under the posts and with the Nant finisher Ioan Davies outside him a try looked certain. Only last minute Sale defence kept them out. Strong running from Richard Hopkins cut through and it seemed that the Gogs pick up and drive, so effective against Waterloo, would produce a try but once again the Jets held firm.
Two tries from Sale in the last 10 minutes of the first half made the score a flattering 19-3 at half time. The first scored by Mike Walker-Fitton came from a driving maul following a lineout 5 metres out, the second was a well worked moved scored by Sharks' fullback Ed Styles 1 minute from the whistle.
Two minutes into the second half Carlton-Jones kicked a second penalty to make the score 19-6. Flanker Alun Jones was yellow carded shortly after and Sale scored another try from a driving maul.
Sale player Walker-Fitton joined Jones in the bin a few minutes later and from the resulting penalty and lineout the Gogs set up a driving maul 5 metres out with prop Simon Griffiths completing an impressive performance by claiming the try. Michael Raikes converted.
The final Sale try came from a kick and chase with Sale having used used all 10 substitutes against a Gogs side with only four on the bench. The try was converted to give a final score of 33-13.
"Gogledd Cymru produced their most competitive performance so far against the Sharks, never giving up and being prepared, .like their hosts, to run the ball" says the report on the Sharks website.
It was an evening of exciting and enterprising rugby on both sides. Coach Jon Aby is to be commended for his efforts in improving the basic skills and organisation of this team to a level which allows them to compete with sides of this calibre. Aby, an advocate of good execution over good luck congratulated his charges on their achievments.