Cofis third after breaking Bay’s resistance
CAERNARFON lie a handy third in WRU Division One North following last Saturday’s 37-17 triumph at Colwyn Bay.
Games like this one, because of uncontested scrums, appear to lack one vital ingredient – this being the ability to tire the opposition forwards and therefore create more space to attack in open play.
Caernarfon, on more than one occasion, thought they had done enough to build up a reasonable cushion but found a resilience within the home squad that was difficult to subdue until the final quarter.
Pat Atkinson landed an early penalty for Bay, but two threepointers from Guto Pierce edged the Cofis ahead.
The cool head of Atkinson kept the Cofis at bay when the pressure was on, but a pass after committing the defence from Dominic Yau saw centre Dafydd Lloyd Hughes canter towards the line on 20 minutes for a Caernarfon try.
After a few goal-line charges Atkinson was able to extend and score on the half-hour, and together with his added conversion Colwyn Bay were back within a point at 10-11.
Caernarfon began the second half with purpose, seeing Mac Jones break from the halfway line and bulldoze his way to the line, showing a turn of speed not expected from a loose forward. Pierce again added the conversion, a feat he repeated minutes later when Yau again freed Mac Jones to run in from 20 yards and establish a 15-point cushion of 25-10.
Yet again the home side refused to admit defeat and fought back, with the contribution of flanker Lloyd Jones of value. A lineout resulted in a rolling maul and hooker Dylan Hughes was able to wriggle free and score, with Atkinson again adding the extras.
It was only during the final 10 minutes that Caernarfon could secure victory.
Following a lineout take and a flick in midfield, man of the match Mac Jones was releasedfor his third try of the afternoon. Pierce again added the extras.
The final act saw Dylan Gwyn release Iolo Hughes before the final inside pass saw centre Carwyn Roberts complete the 70-yard move and bring the scoring to an end, with Caernarfon 37-17 victors.