Two great reports from the weekend's games involving the Ladies and Under 18's of Caernarfon.
Womens National Plate Final.
Caernarfon Ladies 12 v Seven Sisters Ladies 22
Caernarfon’s resolute performance nearly paid dividends, for their commitment at the breakdown and in open play caused Seven Sisters a handful of problems for much of the game. The Cofi brigade knew what to expect as they had lost on three previous occasions to the same powerful unit. However on this occasion a fired up Caernarfon eight more than matched the opposition and were even ahead at the interval.
Caernarfon opened brightly with both scrum and lineout functioning well but the occasional spilt and rushed ball in midfield prevented the momentum from being maintained. One attempted kick and chase failed to be dealt with and on falling kindly to centre Rachel Rees her angled run saw her cross for the opening Seven Sisters try on ten minutes.
The boot of Sera Bailey was instrumental in gaining valuable yardage following Seven Sisters transgressions and from one lineout take Leah Collis missed a golden opportunity when she lost the ball with the line at her mercy.
Fortunately a similar opportunity arose minutes later and following a Collis charge, on this occasion the support of Rhian Gwawr was at hand and she barged over close to the posts to grant Bailey a lead gaining conversion. Caernarfon’s defence held out on Seven Sisters forays into the twenty-two with Mary Atkinson and Nia Thomas tackling well to help the cause. On the stroke of half time however the Cofis were once again back within striking distance with a quick tap and go taking the captain to within inches of the try line.
The second period saw the same tenacity on offer from all concerned with Seven Sisters ably recycling from the off. It was from fifth phase ball that Rachel Rees finally found a gap in midfield and on being brought to ground released Emily Stephens who scored out wide. Jenny Davies was still at her destructive best gaining numerous turnovers and from one of her breaks and supported drives a pile up ensued resulting in a penalty call.
A quick tap and go saw Rachel Rees gain her second touchdown close to the posts to enable her to also add the conversion. Caernarfon needed to stem the tide at this point but with the weather deteriorating and tired bodies littering the field it was a tall order to gain parity. Heroics were attributed to the work of Captain Cenin Eifion with Becky Williams and Ceris Davies prominent in driving forward ably supported by Rhian Gwawr and Emma Edwards.
Isi Rees and Alaw Davies were themselves quick to pounce on any green shirted opponent with ball in hand. Sadly it was a miss-struck downfield clearance kick that fell kindly for the Seven Sisters cover to set up the crucial telling counter attack that finally put the game to rest. With the defence in disarray it was Cari Bowen-Davies who was able to ground out wide.
Caernarfon’s bench took to the field, including Catrin Mair’s swansong, to muster one final onslaught and the team was rewarded with the final touchdown of the day when yet another quick tap and go saw scrumhalf Leah Collis squeeze in with a few minutes remaining, albeit too little to improve the scoreline as far as the Cofis were concerned.
Caernarfon, whilst congratulating Seven Sisters on their victory, can however be very proud of the part they played in ensuring a competitive and highly entertaining game.
The management team would wish to thank all thirty four who have represented the Cofis throughout the season and especially Captain Cenin Eifion who has led by example in all facets of the role. There still remains a few seven a side competitions to keep the ladies fitness levels up during the close season.
*****
Caernarfon Under 18 Ladies 82 v Gilfach Goch Under 18 Ladies 14
The girls were finally able to find a fixture when they hosted Gilfach Goch who had embarked on a belated Easter Tour.
It was decided to play 9 a side, thus leaving plenty of space for the few with genuine pace to exploit. Although both teams were well matched physically the Caernarfon squad offered one another better support and as a result were able to dominate possession.
Early scores were granted to Lois Jones and Teleri Davies before scrumhalf Sioned Williams began to dominate proceedings making the break to allow Nanw Griffiths to open her account before scoring her first from distance. These tries ere interrupted by a solo effort from hardworking forward Morfudd Ifans who ripped the ball off her opponent and charged through the cover to score. Megan Llewelyn was next to add her name to the try list and with three Sioned Williams conversions thirty-six points were already on the scoreboard.
To their credit Gilfach Goch never gave up and enjoyed a brief period of pressure to allow Beth Moyle to score a good tem effort. Taylor Scurlock added the conversion. Sadly the revival was cut short when Sara Williams broke free to extend the Cofi points tally. On the stroke of half time Scurlock showed her class when she stepped outside the cover to race clear score and convert.
The second period opened brightly for Caernarfon with rugby brained Morfudd Ifans scoring again followed by a deserved effort for Alaw Llewelyn who took a direct line throughout and had tackled everything in sight. Speed merchant Lois Jones gained her brace added to by Sara Williams’s maiden conversion attempt, Sara sadly having to leave the field with a shoulder injury soon afterwards.
Kirsty Holdsworth had added forward impetus and debutant catrin Morris showed good hands. With Gilfach Goch tiring Nanw Griffths broke clear to score followed by a smiling Alaw Llewelyn who was more pleased with her conversion than with the try itself. Non Evans who’s stint at scrum half had been fruitful gave way to Sioned Williams who scored out wide prior to Lois Jones gaining the upper hand scoring wise by grounding her third of the day to draw proceedings to a close.
The coaching staff and viewing crowd were impressed by the talent on view and commitment shown by all, a fact that augurs well for the future of Ladies Rugby in North Wales.
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