Safe from relegation Dinas Powys lose to Fendale in final league match of the season

Dinas Powys, knowing they were safe from relegation, were under no pressure against a strong Ferndale in their final league match of the season, the fixture being played in a mix of hail, rain, wind and sun.

Safety had been assured earlier in the month when Canton, one place lower than Dinas, were beaten by already relegated bottom club Gilfach Goch, the 45-20 result ensuring Canton go down as well. Canton is 11 points adrift of Dinas with two games to play.

Dinas, playing into the strong wind, hit the ground running, their fast tempo keeping the ball alive and making the home side work for everything. Owen Buckley and Conor Coyle caused mayhem in the Ferndale pack, giving Dinas a good platform to move the ball, with Iwan Davies and Andrew Schuznic punching through the midfield on numerous occasions.

There was some strong running up front and hits from Jack Huggins, Josh Popple, Toby Price, Buckley and Lewis Christopher, but the huge Ferndale pack, running hard, took a seven-point lead after 15 minutes. Dinas hit back ten minutes later, a move off the scrum from Christopher putting Buckley away from halfway, and he outran the home defence. 

Ferndale led 10-5 at the interval and used their big pack to keep Dinas on the back foot, scoring ten minutes into the second half. Dinas put some pressure back on them and broke the line twice, only for clear runs to be pulled back for foot in touch. The game finished with both sides out on their feet.

Head coach John Dimond gave a special mention to Brett Jewel and Rhys Jones “for all their contributions at the club,” adding “a recruitment campaign will be in full flow for next season, and with a great young side with plenty of miles left in the tank it’s exciting times at the Common.”