Fixture

Six weeks without a game took its toll when Flint welcomed Harlech to Cae-y-Castell. Conditions were poor for both sides but it was Harlech that adapted and played them better.  It was evident from the start that Harlech meant business and wanted something out of the game; Flint would have to produce their form of last year to keep them at bay, but sadly for Flint it wasn't to be.

Harlech started the better side keeping Flint in their own half and under pressure, continually testing Flint's defence.  Flint held up very well however, with sterling defensive performances from fly half Tom Prydderch, hooker Owain Roberts, flanker Loz Rogers, prop Jake Shill and captain Mitch Martin. Flint's patience paid off when flanker Jamie Elder put pressure on the Harlech centre under a high ball to force a mistake and turn over the ball. Skipper Martin made one of his trademark bullocking runs, offloading to full back Dan Stokes, who had an excellent game at fullback after a long layoff. Stokes slipped the ball to centre Matt Harvey coming in on the angle which set him clear to run in from 25m to score near the posts. Prydderch converted to make the score 7-0.

This was encouraging as Flint hadn't really been in the game until this point, but Harlech restarted the game with the same determination as before and were soon deep into Flint territory. After a dominant scrum Harlech forced themselves over the line to make the score 7 all. Harlech were now getting the better of the Flint forwards and subsequently starving the Flint back line of any ball. Flint found themselves defending their try line once again and from a ruck the Harlech scrum half darted round through loose defence to score a converted try 7-14.

Flint did manage to force themselves into the Harlech 22 and from some patient driving by the forwards, second row Josh Moss forced himself over for an unconverted try making the scoreline at halftime 12-14.

The second half was a dull affair with Harlech still dominating the game and Flint showing some determined defence work. This was about the only thing that went well for them in the second half, bar a purple patch at the very end when Flint showed some excellent play and domination. Flint could of stolen the game from Harlech at the end but they managed to hold out, winning the game 12-17 after an earlier penalty.

Consolations from the game were a losing bonus point and that at the very end, the Flint pack showed some of the form of before Christmas. Hopefully they can take that into their next league game against Menai Bridge in 2 weeks time. 

Throughout the game Flint showed mental toughness and weren't for giving up, it was the lack of game time that was their undoing, coming up second best to a determined Harlech side.

MOM Jake Shill

Report from Aled Davies