Report
Saturday October 10, 2009
An emphatic win it may have been with Caernarfon romping away with thirteen tries, but all the thoughts were with Caernarfon second row, Rhys Thomas, who suffered a serious leg injury with only ten minutes on the clock. The horrific injury came from an innocuous challenge, but the impact was heard at all quarters across the pitch, with the unmistakable sound of broken bones that hung on the air. The referee, Tom Wright, immediately recognised the severity and called for urgent attention. The game was halted for twenty five minutes whilst the paramedics dealt with the multiple fractures that Rhys had sustained. The crowd was silent until the stretcher was moved into the awaiting ambulance when Rhys mustered up the energy and gave a thumbs up signal that was greeted with warm applause from both supporters and players.
(Rhys underwent a 5 hour operation on Sunday to right multiple fractures to the Tibular and Fibular, and a fracture just above his ankle, and is still in hospital)
Prior to the injury the Cofi’s had already got themselves onto the score sheet with a clever interception from veteran flanker Paul Rowlands. The long break also took its toll on Llandudno who also lost two players during the break. The game finally restarted in a subdued manner, but the Cofi’s went about their business picking off a depleted Llandudno at will. By the break the home side had accumulated an impressive 57 – 7 lead with tries coming from wing Bari Jones who bagged a pair, scrum half, and Captain Trystsn Gwilym, full back Gareth Patchett, Centres, Gwilym Hendy and Steffan Thomas, and flanker Simon Davies, with Kelvin Morris adding 12 points worth of conversions. The last scoring action of the half saw Llandudno get on the board with a try from Tom Hocknall, which was converted by Rhodri Carlton-Jones.
The second half saw the scoring continue with both Bari Jones and Trystan Gwilym adding tries so both secured hatricks, Gareth Patchett adding a second to his personal tally, and replacement wing Dylan Parry also crossing for a five pointer. Kelvin Morris added a further conversion with Gwilym Hendy also adding a conversion. Llandudno never gave in and continued to press but received scant reward for their efforts, only crossing for one additional try from Rhodri Carlton-Jones who also added the conversion. The game fizzled out with Caernarfon taking a well deserved bonus point win, running out 81 - 14.