BUILTH Wells narrowly missed out on a win in their Swalec Plate first round match against Brynamman at The Groe as a dropped goal attempt by Rob Lloyd sailed narrowly wide of the posts in the dying moments.
It came after Brynamman scored a penalty to take the lead by 23-21 with just one minute to go.
This was very much a game of two halves as Builth Wells dominated the first half after a strong start by Brynamman and then Brynamman fought back after the break to snatch the win.
Brynamman had gone ahead with a penalty in the early minutes but Builth quickly fought back with a try after good linking play through Gethin Lewis. The try went unconverted and poor Builth defence led to Brynamman regaining the lead with an unconverted try that made the score 5-8.
Harry Jenkinson made up for his earlier conversion miss by scoring a try after some inventive play by Builth. His conversion meant Builth were now leading by 12-8.
Two penalties, both converted by Jenkinson, meant the score at half-time was 18-8 in Builth’s favour.
But Builth found Brynamman a different proposition in the second half and conceded two early tries - one of them unconverted - to to bring the score to 18-20.
It all made for a tense finale and Brynamman eventually capitalised when Builth were penalised for being offside at a ruck. Despite Lloyd’s bold drop-goal attempt at the death it was Brynamman who took the spoils and Builth now have to concentrate on the league, starting with their home game against Penlan on Saturday (October 14).
There was at least good news for Builth’s youth team who won their Blues Division C match against Abercwmboi 22-0.
Builth 2nds next game is against Rhydyfelin at home, on Saturday.