Cefni go fourth after Bay battle
LLANGEFNI moved up to fourth in Division One North after a hard-fought 27-15 win at home over winless and bottom of the table Colwyn Bay.
The visitors belied their lowly position in the league standings with a barnstorming start. The Bay dominated at scrum time and were solid at the lineout, and kicked well to peg Cefni deep in their 22.
It was no surprise when they opened the scoring after stealing a Cefni throw, their scrum-half Arthur Asprey finding a huge gap on the fringe of the ensuing ruck to canter over from 10 metres, Pat Atkinson adding the extras.
Cefni responded within minutes with a well-worked five-pointer. Aled Jones made good ground into the Bay 22, moved it right to Sior Grieves who picked out Aaron Jeffries who crossed on the wide outside, the chance to level the score going begging.
Cefni were finding it hard to mount any sustained attacks, due to some uncharacteristically poor handling. Bay profited and put Cefni on the back foot, leading to a penalty from Pat Atkinson after a high tackle.
Cefni’s only other bright spot before the break was when Gethin Andrews kicked through to the line, but the Bay defence cleared their line.
Bay started the second half in confident mood and soon stretched their lead.
Centre Jordan Sheridan made a break and kicked ahead to score.
Cefni were being stretched in defence and Greg Horsman was called upon to make last ditch tackles on both flanks.
The home side finally managed to up their tempo and reduced the arrears via the boot of Rhys Hughes after a period of home pressure. Further Cefni powerful carries led to a lineout 15 metres out. The maul was driven effectively and Rhodri Owen was at the back to touch down. The conversion was missed by a whisker, but Cefni were now hitting their straps.
Bay were visibly tiring up front, and the Cefni carriers were making more and more ground. After Jeffries and Grieves had made ground to within five metres, scrum-half Aled Jones spotted a gap and darted in for the try which Hughes converted.
Cefni were finally up on the scoreboard with more than 20 minutes to play.
The Cefni loose trio of Will Bown, Declan Griffiths and Jeffries were now breaking tackles and had the Bay on the rack.
Cefni cemented their win with the bonus point try when prop Rhodri Owen burst free from a ruck to grab his brace, Hughes slotting the extras with the final action of the match.
Up next for Cefni is a home clash with Bethesda in the WRU Plate, the visitors keen to avenge their home league defeat from a few weeks ago.