Nimble Cefni’s running game prevails over Flint

LLANGEFNI 2NDS 36 FLINT 31 THIS was a hugely intriguing contest, which saw the more nimble footed islanders eventually overcome the bigger and heavier visitors. When Cefni moved the ball wide in the 2nd half, the Flint defence had no answer to Cefni’s pace and guile.

Flint’s set piece dominance was rewarded with 12 points early doors: two tries from close range. Flint kicked long for territory, but veteran full back Iwan Davies was in no mood to concede territory as he danced past a host of would-be tacklers. When he fed Alun Evans, the latter raced in from 40 metres. Evans, playing at 10 added the extras and later added a further 9 points in a man of the match performance. 7-14

Flint replied with another close range try: 7-19. Cefni were hanging on at times, grateful to number 8, Ieuan Evans for a hatful of turn overs and innumerable bullocking defence busting runs. Prop Bedwyr Williams and hooker Sam Jones also stood out with their dominant tackles and strong carries. After Cefni had driven a maul, the release into midfield was perfectly timed, giving Alun Evans time to pick out Ioan Davies on the angle. The veteran showed Flint a clean pair of heels from 40 metres: 14-19. After Flint again kicked long, their power game from close range let their centre cut inside and score, 14-26 at the break.

With a slight breeze at their backs, Cefni tested Flint as they spread the ball wide at every opportunity. A concerted backs attack, moving the ball to both flanks, led to a strong finish by centre Harry Owen, 19-26. Flint were now being forced into errors. From an attacking scrum 15 metres out, pivot Evans sprinted over near the flag and converted from near the touch line: 26-26

Cefni were now in the ascendancy and went for the kill from an unexpected source! Prop Paul Owen found himself amongst the centres, and surprisingly kicked towards the Flint line. They messed up the clearance and Carwyn Owen was able to pounce, 31-26. Paul Owen, provider, then became Paul Owen tryscorer, after the Davies veterans and Geth Andrews took play to the Flint line. Owen was not to be denied, 36-26.

Flint got the final try, when their scrum half sniped cleverly from a 5 metre retreating maul. The purists will concur that it was good to see the running game triumph over the power game on the day.