Cofis miss chance to close gap

CAERNARFON’S indifferent Division One North season continued as they went down to a 24-17 loss at Bala.

This game was won in the first 15 minutes with the home side securing 19 points in as many minutes.

Although the Cofis were physically on the pitch, mentally they weren’t. Bala’s first try was scored by Iestyn Dylan with Owain Aled adding the extras, helped by some poor defending by the away side.

The second soon followed by virtue of good interplay and offloading with Iestyn Dylan once again breaking clear to make it 12-0.

The Cofis were trying to gain some foothold in the match with captain Iolo Huws doing his utmost to rally the troops, but they were to go further behind when the referee awarded a penalty try for a rolling maul infringement, and it was now 19-0.

At last the Cofis came to life and were able to gain some possession wth prop Rhodri Evans setting a solid platform for the scrum and No8 Mac Jones running at the home defence allowed some ball to be spread out wide to wingers Dylan Gwyn and Tomos Huw, with Gwyn securing the Cofis first point with a fine try early in the second half.

The Cofis now sensed that they were gradually gaining the upper hand and it was Ilan Davies, who hails from Bala, charged over the line to make it 19-10.

The Cofis continued to probe the home defence with Dylan Gwyn and Elis Roberts going close.

However it was Bala who managed to score next on a rare incursion into the Cofi 22 with Owain Aled crossing for the try and adding the extras to make it 24-10.

To their credit this did not deter the Cofis and they continued to probe the Bala defence with Elis Roberts crossing and Aled Jones converting to make it 24-17 and secure a losing bonus point.

Caernarfon will now turn their attention to the WRU Plate as they entertain Division One North leaders and defending champions Pwllheli on Saturday.