Pwllheli Ladies beat Bethel to ensure the Canaries win league
CAERNARFON Under-15s returned from what was expected to be their toughest test of the season at Wrexham as 39-7 victors.
Before the kick-off, both teams and supporters observed a minute’s silence in memory of Caernarfon coach, Brian Thirsk, who passed away recently.
From the kick-off the visitors were on the front foot and within minutes they were on the scoreboard when swift passing by the backs saw winger Jack Davies beat his man to score in the corner.
This was soon followed up by two almost identical scores, Davies again crossing over in the corner and full-back Rhys Jones rounding the defence to score under the posts.
The hosts then settled into the game and a good spell of pressure by their forwards saw a try beneath the sticks.
Almost from the kick-off a trademark break by scrum-half Rhys Williams saw him sprint from the halfway line to score.
This was to be the final score of the half and gave the visitors a 24-7 lead at the break.
The second half followed a similar pattern and, despite an equal share of possession by Wrexham, the Cofis made their territorial advantage pay with a further try for Davies and a first of the season for flanker Gwilym Johnstone.
With time running out Williams again picked up on halfway and race to the line.
This brought the score to 39-7 and continued the visitors’ long unbeaten run.
PWLLHELI ended their league season on a high by whipping visitors Bethel 5-1 last Sunday. And the Llŷn ladies also did Caernarfon Town a favour as the result meant the Canaries were crowned North Wales Women’s League champions.
Bethel were the only team which could overhaul the Cofis’ points total, but they needed to win at Pwllheli to make Keith Fearns’ side keep the champagne on ice.
A number of Caernarfon players were at Pwllheli to witness the match and they celebrated wildly at the final whistle.
Conditions were awful at the Rec, but Pwll played with the wind in the first half and took full advantage by establishing a 4-0 lead at the break.
Lois Thomas was in sensational form for the hosts, knocking in a hat- trick before Lowri Hughes added a fourth.
Bethel, quarter-finalists in the Welsh Cup this season and still in with a good chance of runners-up spot in the league, had the elements in their favour in the second half and quickly pulled a goal back through Lisa Thomas.
However, despite the conditions, Pwllheli continued to perform well, keeping the ball in the opposition half, and there was never any real prospect of them squandering their big lead.
In fact, captain Hughes put away her second and the hosts’ fifth to round off an emphatic victory.
Pwllheli are now fourth in the table but could finish up sixth depending on other results. ● Pwllheli 2016/17
Aug 21: Llanfair United (h) 1-1 (Lowri Hughes)
Aug 28: Amlwch Town (h) 2-0 (Erin Parry, Kate Godfrey)
Sep 11: Northop Hall (a) 5-2 (Mari Hughes 2, Awen Hughes 2, Lowri Hughes)
Sep 18: Denbigh Town (h) 4-2 (Lois Thomas 2, Mari Hughes, Erin Parry)
Sep 25: Caernarfon Town (a) 2-5 (Lois Thomas, Leanne Williams)
Oct 9: Kinmel Bay (a) 3-0 (Lois Thomas, Awen Hughes, Erica Jones)
Oct 16: Prestatyn (a) 5-2 (No scorers available)
Oct 23: Airbus (h) 1-5 (Sinead Crawford og)
Oct 30: Bangor (a) 8-3 ( Awen Hughes, Lowri Hughes 2, Erin Parry, Hayley Williams, Leanne Williams, Lois Thomas, 1 own goal) Ladies league results
Nov 13: Amlwch (a) 3-2 (Lowri Hughes 2, Lois Thomas)
Nov 27: Gap Northop Hall (h) 2-2 (no scorers available) Dec 4: Denbigh Town (a) 0-3 Dec 11: Caernarfon Town (h) 0-5 Dec 18: Bethel (a) 2-6 (Mari Hughes 2)
Jan 8: Kinmel Bay (h) 2-1 (Mari Hughes, Leanne Rees Williams)
Jan 15: Prestatyn (h) 3-3 (Nia Jones, Erin Parry, Lois Thomas) Jan 22: Airbus (a) 1-2 (Erin Parry) Jan 29: Bangor (h) 1-0 (no scorer available)
Feb 12: Llanfair United (a) 3-3 (no scorers available)
Feb 26: Bethel (h) 5-1 (Lois Thomas 3, Lowri Hughes 2) League record: Played 20 Won 10 Drawn 4 Lost 6 Goals For 53 Goals Against 51 Current position 4th.