No walking on air as Aled Jones kills game
LLANGEFNI came agonisingly close to recording a first win of the season in last Saturday’s WRU Plate round one clash at Cae Smyrna, but their hopes were cruelly dashed when Aled Jones kicked a late penalty to seal a 33-31 victory for visitors Caernarfon.
Jones put the Cofis ahead with a penalty before Cefni responded with a superb try.
After the home back row made good ground into the away 22, the ball was released to pivot Sior Grieves, who fed Greg Horsman on a defence-splitting angle to the line. Richard Foulkes converted for 7-5.
Caernarfon hit back with a long distance penalty by Jones.
Once again Cefni went up a gear, and a sweeping backs move saw wing Gethin Jones get in behind the Cofis’ defence. After the forwards had set the platform, Grieves was able to waltz over near the posts. Foulkes’ extras made it 14-6.
When Cefni failed to control the restart, Caernarfon used the scrum to engineer a fine try. Number nine Gareth Patchett put in a deft dink to the corner, allowing wing Tomos Jones to gather and score, Aled Jones converting.
The home reply was immediate as the pack made the hard yards to gain a foothold near the Cofis’ line. Good ball retention allowed Dion Oliver to force his way over for another seven-pointer, Foulkes again successful with the kick.
Cefni again botched up the restart, thus allowing the Cofis to kick for touch in the home 22. This time Caernarfon went through the phases until powerful centre Dafydd Lloyd Williams was able to crash over from close range. Jones’ booted bonus made it 21-20 to Llangefni at the break.
Caernarfon came out all guns blazing for the second half, but were kept out by some outstanding defence.
When Cefni moved scrum ball, Horsman broke a few tackles and linked with his back row. A try beckoned, but the final pass went to ground.
Another concerted Cefni attack ended with a turnover and relief for the visitors.
Caernarfon now turned on the power, Mac Jones with a cracking try.
An off-the-ball incident led to the sinbinning of Cefni hooker Iwan Evans and Caernarfon’s Patchett.
Soon after the hosts notched their fourth try, courtesy of the pack’s cohesive drives which allowed industrious flanker Eifion Roberts the chance to drive over the line. Foulkes remained accurate from the tee, converting and then adding a penalty for 31-25.
Victory was in sight but mounting Cofi pressure forced several penalties deep in Cefni territory.
One of those led to Caernarfon’s fourth try, Patchett’s quick tap giving Mac Jones the time and space to squeeze over near the flag. No conversion, so Llangefni were still a point ahead. Cefni were hanging on and defending stoutly, but failure to clear their lines in the final minutes led to that cruel denouement.
This Saturday sees Llangefni visit Ruthin in Division One North.