Saturday 1st December 2007

Llangefni 06 – 08 CAERNARFON

FLY-HALF Kelvin Morris broke Llangefni hearts when he slotted over a
match-winning penalty for Caernarfon in added time at Cae Smyrna.

In a tight game the home side, despite all-out assault by the visitors
in the last 10 minutes, looked to have won, only for outside-half
Morris to steal the honours with the last kick of the game.

Cefni started briskly, some strong runs at the Cofis’ defence forcing
the travellers to infringe. Arwel

Roberts stepped up to convert the resultant penalty.

From the restart, Caernarfon broke up the left wing forcing a
try-saving tackle from Iwan Davies. From the lineout they continued the
pressure, but brave tackling kept them out.

To maintain the attack, the visitors opted for scrum after scrum,
trying to intimidate the Cefni front row, but to their credit the
younger pack stood up to the challenge.

When Llangefni were finally able to break they at last used the wind to
their advantage when a high kick followed up well by winger Wil Owen
forced opponent Morris to hang on too long. Another penalty and Roberts
was successful again.

Having established a 6-0 lead, once again Cefni showed a lack of focus.
A clearance kick into touch was quickly taken by Caernarfon, and some
desperate defence was needed by the hosts to stop a try.

From the breakdown the Cofis’ scrum was strong, another ruck formed,
and number seven Dewi Williams was able to run over unopposed.

Llangefni attacked for the remainder of the half, but poor handling and
over-eagerness let them down, leaving it at 6-5 to the hosts at the
break.

After the interval Cefni came out with much more purpose and
commitment, controlling much of the play, which for the most part was
now taking place within the 22-metre lines as both sides probed,
looking for chinks in each other’s defences.

At times Llangefni fell again to their habit of infringing at
breakdowns, at one stage giving the opportunity for their visitors to
kick for the lead, but the experienced Morris missed an easy chance.

For the last 10 minutes, Caernarfon were attacking from a strong base
at Cefni’s 22 or within, and despite some valiant tackling and
clearance kicks, the visitors kept the pressure on.

Further penalties given at breakdown allowed Morris another attempt at
goal, but he failed narrowly.

Then in injury time, yet another penalty handed the number 10 one
chance too many, and his kick this time sailed between the posts.