Caernarfon in bottom four after Pesda loss
CAERNARFON Rugby Club slipped into Division One North’s bottom four as they lost for the sixth time in seven home matches when Bethesda left Y Morfa 12-0 victors last Saturday.
The Cofis’ home league form continues to be a bone of contention after they yielded yet again to a solid enough travelling side, thus relieving the Dol Dafydd outfit of possible relegation woes for the time being.
On a fairly slippery surface during a wet first half, both sides were finding it difficult to string constructive plays together. However, Pesda opted wisely to ensure some points on the board whenever the opportunity arrived.
By midway through the stanza the visitors were six points to the good, with two offside calls granting full-back Gethin Long relative straightforward conversions.
After 25 minutes another three were added by Long for a not-rolling-away call at the point of breakdown.
Caernarfon nearly forced their way back into contention when a Michael Downey charge-down almost brought rewards, but the cover just got back in time to deny him a grounding.
The first half was brought to a close when Long slotted his fourth penalty to establish a 12-point cushion following another offside call.
Caernarfon rallied and cut the penalty count during the second half with captain Iolo Hughes working tirelessly to seek openings but Bethesda were more than a match with stronger ball carriers leading their charges.
Four pack members, Paul Thomas, Rhys Williams, Daniel Ogwen and Llion Trefor were instrumental in giving Bethesda more go forward momentum throughout.
No further scores were forthcoming although everyone kept going to the end of what was overall a dour encounter.
CAERNARFON’S RUN OF HOME GLOOM IN 2017-18
Sep 9: Pwllheli 12-17; Sep 23: Bro Ffestiniog 16-20; Oct 14: Mold 22-34; Nov 4: Dolgellau 38-31; Jan 6: Llangefni 6-13; Feb 17: Nant Conwy 12-47; Mar 10: Bethesda 0-12.
REMAINING LEAGUE MATCHES
March 24: Ruthin (h); April 7: Llandudno (a). TBA: Dolgellau (a); Bala (h); Bro Ffestiniog (a); Colwyn Bay (h); Llandudno (h).