Report
Saturday December 05, 2009
With the Autumn Internationals out of the way it was back to grass roots rugby. For the Cofi’s it was an impressive away with at Ruthin which keeps them in second place some five points behind the leaders Nant Conwy.
Caernarfon made the trip to Ruthin with a depleted squad, with a number of players being forced to play out of position, but all can be proud of the commitment and performance that they put in. Particular praise must go to the pack who put in a sterling performance.
The front row of Jamie Prebble, Liam Leung, and Robat John, continually put in the big scrums to put Ruthin on the back foot and deny them any workable platform. The match itself was full of the long probing kicks forcing both sides to attack from deep. By the break the Cofi’s were well in control and held a 9-3 lead with three penalties from outside half Kelvin Morris, with Ruthin’s Wil Davies adding the points for the hosts. The Cofi’s should have been further in front when just before the break; Gareth Williams had the chance to put through Dylan Parry who had come into the line to create the overlap. The pass didn’t go, the move broke down and Ruthin cleared their line.
The second half saw the Ruthin side come out with a far more determined attitude and for long periods of play they kept the ball and probed every closer to the line. But the Caernarfon defence held strong and kept their line intact.
Ruthin may have had the momentum but struggled to make the pressure count, but finally managed to breech the line with hooker Gary Teeson going over for the score. With the conversion failing to trouble the posts the score was a tantalising 9-8 to the Cofi’s. Caernarfon battled back and started to control the game again and all Ruthin could do was to kick the ball long and deep into the Caernarfon half. The Caernarfon pressure finally took its toll when Ruthin conceded a penalty which Morris duly converted to extend the lead to 12-8. The game was now being played in the Ruthin half and the Cofi’s were finally rewarded deep in injury time when the Cofi’s crossed for a try. It was quick hands in the backline, and some excellent link play with an excellent flick from Andrew Williams that created the gap for Dylan Parry who received the ball just outside the 22 with plenty to do. He turned on the gas and crossed for a well deserved and excellent try. The final score 8-17
This Saturday see Caernarfon entertain Bro Ffestiniog in the 2nd Round of the Swalec Plate with a kick off at the earlier time of 2:00pm.