All who took to the field and played on through constantly deteriorating conditions were to be congratulated for the level of performance given.
Caernarfon more than matched their Premier League opponents in the pack but had no answer to the pace of Rafiuke Taylor out wide. Fifteen minutes of fully committed rugby had seen both defences tested but the appearance of Rafiuke Taylor at centre on one breakout of defence was enough to bisect the Cofi rearguard and her pace took her the distance to ground under the posts. Standoff Brogan Jones added the conversion.
Minutes later a quick lineout take saw the ball reach Rafiuke on the far wing and once again her blistering pace took her clear for another touchdown, added to by Brogan. Caernarfon to their credit kept the ball close to the forwards and were gaining valuable yardage against a team that had not conceded a try in their previous three cup encounters but one spilt ball close to the Pontyclun line again found Rafiuke in waiting and eighty meters later she was grounding despite the excellent chase and tackle of fullback Felicity Smith. Brogan Jones again converted.
It could have been expected that the Cofi heads would now drop but on the contrary, they upped their game and began pushing the visitors pack back at each scrum. The debutant second row pairing of Grisial Pugh and Kirsty Holdsworth were a revelation with all the forwards eager to run with ball in hand at the heart of the Pontyclun defence. After three or four surges in the red zone prop Emma Edwards picked up and drove the final few meters to ground beyond the whitewash.
Knowing that this tactic was bringing its rewards Caernarfon concentrated on more of the same and playing downhill were able to add further pressure. A series of scrums close to the line finally brought the second touchdown with a Rhian Gwawr pickup and feed allowing winger Catrin Mair to squeeze in at the corner. Sensing a comeback the visitors opted to extend their lead via a penalty attempt by Brogan Jones just prior to halftime.
Caernarfon’s fourteen second half players were all heroic in their contribution with back rowers Cenin Eifion and Caryl Hughes a constant thorn with ball in hand or tackling stoically. Drives from scrums brought the Cofis close and finally good interplay saw Caryl Hughes at hand to take the final pass and charge over.
With conditions deteriorating Meg Oatan broke out of defence mid way through the half and although within sight of the line she passed to ever-present Rafiuke Taylor to round off the move and score her fourth of the day, Brogan Jones completed a fine day with the boot with yet another successful conversion.
The final twenty minutes of the match was mostly spent just within the Pontyclun half with countless scrums and drives under the direction of scrumhalf Olwyn Jones not bringing the expected reward for the Cofis.
Both teams are now halfway through their eight game Cup programme with the Cofis having away trips to Neath and Whitland over the next few weeks.
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