Division Four South West

Betws 5 Vardre 24

Vardre were flattered by the scoreline as their youthful hosts put in another gutsy performance, but fell foul of inexperience at vital moments as they failed to turn pressure into points.

The visitors edged the first half territorially as their bigger pack applied the pressure at the set-piece. However the determined home defence continued to frustrate the visitors with their dangerous counter-attacking play.

Unfortunately for the homesters, a missed tackle in the final play of the half enabled Vardre to open the scoring as centre Jamie Williams burst through following a short-range scrum. The conversion by full-back Anthony Brunton gave the visitors a 7-0 half-time lead.

Betws began the second half strongly with powerful running from talented centre James Cappa while wings Rhys Williams and Jasper Morgan caused problems for the visitors defence.

Betws quickly reduced the deficit as Cappa was rewarded for his efforts, gliding past the mesmerised defence as the home forwards produced some strong driving play, with hooker and captain Gareth Comeley leading by example.

Unfortunately for the hosts, Vardre hit back immediately with a try from wing Mathew Joseph to restore their seven-point advantage.

Betws continued to apply the pressure in the second half but although dominating territorially, mistakes and inexperience in their set-piece play prevented them from reducing the arrears.

Thirty minutes into the half, the scrum pressure applied by the visitors eventually took its toll on the youngsters with Joseph scoring his second and scrum-half Adam Humphreys adding a further try following a couple of close-range scrums.

Although Betws seconds and their newly formed youth team also suffered defeat the club remain optimistic in the development of their local young talent.

This Saturday, Betws host Bridgend Athletic.