Saturday 9th September

Welshpool 12 – 60 CAERNARFON

The old cliché, a game of two halves, is often used, but seldom will you see such a comprehensive example. At half time the Cofi’s, a division higher than their opponents, were being comfortable held with the score level at 5 a piece. By the second forty a full scale rout had been inflicted with the Cofi’s scoring at will, massing an additional fifty five points to Welshpool's seven. In the first half the hosts had withstood an early spurt from the Cofi’s conceding one solitary try from Gareth Thirsk, which was scored within 2 minutes of the start. As for the rest of the first forty, it was “the less said the better”, as Welshpool enjoyed the lion’s share of possession, with a number of the Cofi’s looking lost in the mêlée. Deservedly the hosts drew level when Max Owen went over for a five pointer, but they will look back on plenty of missed opportunities for the possession they had. The team talks at half time must have been startlingly different. For the hosts it was very much carry on where you left off, for the Cofi’s, the riot act was issued with a few gentle reminders on how to play rugby.

The Cofi’s responded well and within ten minutes of the restart they had crossed for three tries through by Mathew Thomas, Captain Mark Griffiths, and wing Arwel Davies. The hosts were given a short respite, but the onslaught continued within ten minutes when the debutant, Sion Crabtree playing at fullback, hit the line at pace and tore through the Welshpool’s defence to score under the posts. Kelvin Morris added the extras to extend the lead to 29-5. The Cofi’s didn’t have to wait long for their next score when following a period of exerted pressure Arwel Davies crossed for his second score; with Morris again adding the extras. Welshpool’s day went from bad to worse as another score came straight from the restart with wing Arwel Davies crossing for his hatrick. With an additional two points added from outside half Kelvin Morris the score had moved onto to 43-5. To the annoyance of the Caernarfon coaching team, the visitors gained a consolation score when wing Andy Thomas, showed his soccer skills, kicking on a number of times to claim the touchdown from a move that had started in his own twenty two.

Any thought of a miracle come back were quickly quelled when Gethin Hendy, partnering his elder brother Gwilym, at centre, crossed for a try; yet another debutant try. The scoring hadn’t finished when Kelvin Morris crossed for a try which he duly converted. The game was finally completed with the Cofi’s tenth try when back row Dewi Williams went over for the score. The final whistle saved any further punishment with the visitors running out 60-12 winners.