Saturday 2nd September 2006

CAERNARFON 21 Colwyn Bay 10

CAERNARFON started the season in winning ways with a well deserved win against the Seasiders. Conditions were far from perfect with a strong gusting wind that provided both teams with plenty of challenges with kicking, lineouts and even passing. Despite the difficult conditions both sites were intent on playing open rugby, but early season rustiness and blowing winds saw plenty of mistakes. The visitors gifted the first points for Caernarfon when they were penalised for crossing. Up stepped Kelvin Morris to continue where he left off last season and slotted the penalty through the posts. Colwyn Bay started to put some moves together looking strong in the pack with some effective driving mauls.

The Seasiders had a number of good opportunities to get onto the score sheet, but made mistakes at crucial times. As time went on the Cofi’s started to put some phases together and were unluckily denied a score when the referee adjudged the final pass to be forward. The Cofi’s disappointments was short lived as they continued to press and were rewarded with a try from prop Devlin Roberts who finished off a move following some good interplay between Lawrence Smith and Kelvin Morris. Caernarfon gained a penalty when Colwyn Bay’s Mark Earle was penalised following an excellent turnover from the Caernarfon back row. Despite the strong gusty wind, up stepped Morris to increase the lead to 11-0. As half time approached the Seasiders looked to get some points on the board but a combination of determined defence and sloppy mistakes ensured that the Cofi’s went into the break 11 points to the good.

The second half started as a scrappy affair with both sides guilty of basic errors; but as time went on the home side started to find some consistency, finally getting some phases together. Despite Caernarfon now looking the stronger it was Colwyn Bay who were the first to score. Firstly through a penalty kick from Adam Hughes; and again when the visitors made use of the strong gusting wind. An excellent penalty kick saw the Seasiders gain a penalty deep in the Caernarfon 22. A successful catch and drive saw the ball released to the backs that saw centre Dave Hocknall go over for the score. Fellow centre Adam Hughes added the conversion. Having seen their lead pulled back to a point within the first quarter of an hour, it was time to test the Cofi nerve. And it was back the Cofi’s came. An excellent break from scrum half, Trystan Gwilym, who linked well with speedster Phil Evans, who was just brought down short of the line. The back row were in close support, with Gareth Thirsk keeping up the momentum. The ball was kept alive again releasing Dewi Williams who crashed over for the well worked try. With Morris adding the conversion the lead was extended to eight points.

The Cofi’s wake up call carried on with the scrum now looking dominant. Prior to the break they had tended to be scrappy with little momentum, now they looked powerful and in total control. Utilising the slope the Caernarfon pack managed to drive their opponents off the ball on a number of occasions. Further telling breaks Dewi Williams and Gwil Hendy and Mathew Thomas saw the pressure pile in the visitors. The pressure resulted in another Caernarfon penalty. With Morris adding the points the home side held a healthy 10 point lead. The game was safe and the Cofi’s can count themselves unlucky that the lead was not extended further, but in the end that had to settle for the 21-10 win.