Montgomeryshire Mauraders 50 Prestatyn Panthers 40
The Marauders edged a win over the Panthers in an exciting high scoring game played with great spirit throughout.
In the first quarter of the game, Prestatyn got off to a great start with two quick fire tries, the first from Simon Kennedy and a second from captain Cal Morris.
Mauraders fought their way back and replied with two quick tries of their own to make the score 12-12 on 20 minutes.
Their scrum-half Alwyn Williams led the point-scoring with a personal tally of 26 (3 tries, 7 conversions), with centre Jake Best and prop Nico Williams claiming two tries each. Loose Forward Jack Brady scored his second try in two games, with debutant winger Joe Barrett adding the final try.
The second quarter was just as frantic. Prestatyn scored two tries in four minutes through Simon Evans and Carl Howard. But again Mauraders, coached by Barry Williams, geed his side up and then they scored two fantastically worked full length of the field tries to pull the score back to 22-22.
Prestatyn were starting to feel the burn after injuries depleted their bench and Mauraders were clinical to take a lead of 34-22 after two tries from fantastic breaks down the wings.
But they didn’t gave up and clawed themselves back in the game through Carl Howard’s second try and a fantastic effort from Simon Kennedy breaking two tackles to go under the posts. Burgess converted his fifth goal from six attempts to peg it back from 34-22 to 34-34.
Then came the last 15 minutes. Prestatyn were down in numbers due to an injury to Osian Williams just coming back from a broken ankle. Mauraders scored three of the best tries in the game to take a unassailable lead that Prestatyn couldn’t climb back from. Prestatyn scored a late consolation, from a neat grubber kick from Burgess for Carl Howard to complete his hat-trick and the touchline attempt was converted by Burgess.
Prestatyn coach Jonathan Burgess said: “I was proud of all his team for the commitment they showed, playing with ten men and being so close to winning. It’s a learning curve for both teams and we will take a lot of positives from today’s game. Not a game for defences!”
Barry Williams from the Marauders said: “I am very pleased with the victory, as we knew that beating the Panthers was not going to be an easy task. However, the lads stuck to the game plan, and I felt we deserved the win. There were parts of our game that we need to improve upon, but the players are still learning the game, and with a bit more match experience I feel that we’ve got the makings of an excellent side here.”