Cofis walking on air after last-minute winner from Aled Jones
ALED JONES’ last-gasp penalty secured Caernarfon a thrilling 33-31 win at Llangefni in round one of the WRU Plate.
Jones’ first three-pointer began the scoring before Cefni responded with an excellent try through centre Greg Horsman, Richard Foulkes adding the conversion.
The arrears were reduced by another Jones penalty, but from the restart constant pressure by the home pack, led to Sior Grieves waltzing through to dot down and afford Foulkes the added extras.
Caernarfon hit back when a neat chip through by scrum-half Gareth Patchett was well anticipated by wing Tomos Huw, and he won the chase to ground. Jones’ conversion drew the Cofis to within a point once again at 14-13.
A lack of concentration from the visitors granted Llangefni yet another foothold deep in Cofi territory, ending with Dion Oliver crashing over, Foulkes converting.
With half time looming, the Cofis replied when a Dafydd Lloyd Williams’ charge saw him take numerous defenders with him to ground over the line, Jones’ boot again adding the extras. Half time: 21-20 to Llangefni.
After the break, the issuing of two yellow cards created more space with a Carwyn Roberts break being continued by Mac Jones from the halfway line. His deceptive pace left a trail of would-be tacklers in his wake as he ran in to score a fine individual try after some 60 minutes to grant the Cofis a lead they had not held since the eighth minute.
Again the cushion could not be protected, flanker Eifion Roberts crossing for Cefni with Foulkes adding a conversion and then a penalty to make it 31-25 to the hosts with 10 minutes to play.
Caernarfon produced a big finish, Mac Jones once more having the pace and strength to squeeze over. No conversion, but a late home transgression led to Jones kicking the crucial matchclinching penalty. IAN HORSMAN, TRIPLE EFFECT