Wrexham v Dolgellau

Match report from yesterday’s 1st team game courtesy of Jack Harrison

Wrexham head coach Alan Jenkins challenged his side to replicate their performance on Thursday following their 19-6 success over title rivals Dolgellau.
Wrexham moved ten points ahead of their opponents as the race for promotion hots up.
Although only half the battle has been won as Wrexham travel to Dolgellau on Thursday evening for the return fixture.
Jenkins said; “I thought it was one of our more impressive performances. We made a couple of mistakes but everyone stepped up and gave 100%.
The defence was a full blooded effort and we looked really dangerous in attack when he had the chances.”
He set his players a simple challenge. “If we can replicate that on Thursday, I’ll be happy!” No pressure there then.
In glorious conditions at Bryn Estyn Lane, the match was played at a frantic pace from minute one.
Some early pressure from the visitors resulted in them taking the lead through a penalty courtesy of Henri Roberts.
In a very physical opening 40, with neither sides creating many clear cut chances, a moment of brilliance from the ever improving Jacob Hughes gave the hosts their first score.
He broke through a slight gap before throwing a dummy and running underneath the sticks for a score which he converted himself.
Roberts reduced the deficit with another penalty, meaning only one point separated the sides at the break.
The visitors played the majority of the first half deep in Wrexham territory yet the hosts prevailed thanks to some ferocious defending, in particular Jay Andrews, who had a very impressive afternoon.
With a heavy Dolgellau pack tiring, the hosts put their mark on the game. A well executed driving maul led to Aaron Hughes diving over for a second try.
Not long after and Wrexham had their third, Hughes turned provider and put Olly Dodd through a gap and the centre had enough speed to get over the line for a converted score.
The hosts saw out the rest of the game in a very composed manner, however they couldn’t quite secure the all important bonus point try in the latter stages.
All the attention will now turn to Thursday evening as it looks increasingly likely that the winner of that game will be plying their trade in Division One next season.