Saturday 3rd November 2007

CAERNARFON 13 – 13 Ruthin

Wonder Try steals a Draw.

18 year subsitute Dafydd Roberts was the saviour for the Cofis at the Morfa last Saturday, with his 76 minute wonder try ensuring the spoils where shared.
Although not a classic flowing game it was a game between two well matched sides, Ruthin looked dangerous throughout the first period, and had a lightning fast back three. Caernarfon looked solid in defence, and they had to be as Ruthin tried there best to take control early on. Ironically it was the Cofis who slotted over the first points Kelvin Morris with a penalty, within minutes Ruthin where back on level terms Adam Robson converting. Ruthin then put some telling kicks deep into the Caernarfon 22, from one kick they managed to drive the defensive full back over the try line and gain a 5 metre scrum. From the scrum quick ball released Adam Robson, a clinical finish and possibly some ball watching allowed the Ruthin 10 to score beneath the posts, he then slotted over the extras for a 10 - 3 lead going into the second period.

The Cofis knew they had to do more, and hoped that the advantage of the slope would give them the edge. Morris added an early penalty, and the Morfa crowd sensed that things could be turned around. A brace of penalties was missed by both sides, and at one stage the game got heated as frustration and tempers began to flare. Ruthin defended well and whilst on a rare foray into the Cofi half where awarded a penalty which Robson slotted over to increase the visitors lead. Caernarfon where dominating possesion but never looked dangerous, and kicked a bit often, from one of these kicks the Ruthin gathered, the full back joined the line and looked certain to score before an excellent cover tackle from Robert Farar. With 15 minutes to play coach Ieuan Jones made a tactical change, replacing the full back and swapping winger and centre, then with only 4 minutes left, a switch move approx 40 metres out saw Dafydd Roberts scithe his way through 3 or 4 tacklers and score a wonderful try beneath the posts, Morris convetered.

Following the final whistle clearly it was the home side who where relieved, but they know they can play better, but at the same time appreciated that they had come up against a very well drilled side.