Cefni into Plate final
LLANGEFNI 1st XV edged a hard fought tussle at Dol Ddafydd to beat Bethesda 15-13. Ioan Jones and Andrew McMinimee scored tries and Gethin Andrews added 5 points off the tee.
The 2nd XV came through ahard test from near neigbours Menai Bridge to win by a single point. Llyr Jones and Dafydd Eccles scored tries and Harry Evans added 11 points with the boot.
NORTH WALES YOUTH PLATE SEMI FINAL
LLANGEFNI 38 BALA 15
The hosts ran out comfortable winners in the end, but the score was 24-15 with about 6 minutes to play. Bala had just scored 2 quick tries, forcing the Moniars to awake from their slumber, and score 2 converted tries in the last 5 minutes.
Bala played well with the elements in the 1st half, as their 10, Morgan Jones kicked superbly to push Cefni back into their 22 time after time. Bala were close to scoring first after a clever Morgan Jones chip was regathered in the home 22. Cefni weathered that storm, and when Celt Ffransis broke from a solid scrum, he fed his winger Owen Parry near half way. The latter`s pace and power took him through the Bala defence for a superb solo try near the flag. It wasn`t 5-0 for long as Morgan Jones slotted a penalty for 5-3. Indeed the high penalty count against Cefni was costing them dear at this stage.
Bala ripped the ball near half way, leading to a line out on the 5 metre line. Cefni exited well with confident interpassing getting them out of their half on countless occasions. They got penalised after a 90 metre territorial gain, but finally got their deserts when their 2 props combined to rip through the Bala defence. Firstly Oscar Wayne, put in a telling burst before feeding Emyr Jones who romped over with the panache of a winger. Cian Gerrard`s boot took the score to 12 -3 at the break.
In the 2nd half Cefni also made good use of the wind to force Bala to run from deep. Celt Ffransis went on another barnstorming run to within metres of the line. Quickly recycled ball allowed 2nd row Harry Burns to storm over on the blind side. 17-3. After the Moniars had dropped a scoring pass near the flag, it was left to Celt Ffransis to charge over for the next 5 pointer, which Gerrard converted for 24-3.
Bala could have crumbled at this stage, but they showed strong character and upped their game to ask questions of the home defence. After a period of concerted pressure, Sion Davies scored near the posts after a tapped penalty. Bala were now moving the ball confidently into the wide channels, and a high tackle reduced Cefni to 14 men. Bala`s 2nd try soon followed, scored by prop Kane Triggs on the charge.( It was a special try because Kane was a lifesaver with Barmouth lifeboat the previous night). Morgan Jones` extras made it 24-15, and Bala were on a roll.
However, when Bala dropped the ko, Emyr Jones took full advantage to burst into the Bala 22. Again quick recycling allowed Harry Burns to storm over near the flag. Gerrard`s superb kick made it 31-15. When Cefni attacked from the restart, the Bala defence was caught napping, and that man Emyr Jones found himself in space near the half way line. Almost needless to say he put on the after burners to score at the posts, and provide that final 38 -15 score and a final to be played against great rivals Bethesda.*