Scrum key for victors

HAVING had to wait two weeks to redeem themselves after a first league defeat of the season at Abergele, Llangefni answered the doubters in no uncertain manner with a 38-7 romp at Machynlleth.

The victory owed a lot to Cefni’s scrum supremacy, with Gareth Pawson giving his opponent a torrid time.

Cefni started confidently and kept the ball in hand to stretch the Mach defence.

They soon bagged their first try when Tom Namgauds’ break enabled him to give Tom Owen the scoring pass, Rhys Hughes converting.

Visiting nine Alex Rees-Jones then showed his alertness as he set up Hughes for a try via the blind side of a scrum.

Mach’s only try resulted from a stray Cefni clearance kick, which meant it stood 12-7 at the interval.

Although Mach started the second period with increased urgency, it was Cefni who scored when Sior Grieves and Arron Evans combined well on halfway. This allowed Evans to pick a superb angle to break the defensive line and race away for the try.

Mark Gray, thankfully back after injury, then got the bonus-point try after a period of relentless pressure.

Soon after the restart came the best try. Greg Horsman took the ball late at full tilt on the advantage line to scythe through the defence and feed Gray for his brace.

With the last play of the game, the Cefni forwards showed how to drive an attacking lineout over the line, sub Mathew Thomas with the touchdown near the corner flag.

This was a confident and authoritative win based on a dominant scrum, strong defence and good handling skills in the backs.

This Saturday Cefni will look to consolidate their position at the Division Two summit when they take the much shorter journey to local rivals Menai Bridge.