Fixture

Caernarfon 12  Pwllheli  17.

This Division 1 North fixture had all the hallmarks of an early season encounter, much endeavour but nothing of significance resulting from their efforts. That said, the four tries that were scored were fine examples and Pwllheli's rush defence probably did more than anything to ensure that they held on to the lead that they had established soon after the break.

Following a bright opening by both, the Cofis began exerting some pressure and from a five meter scrum an inside pass from standoff Carwyn Roberts was taken at pace by winger Iolo Hughes who bisected the defence and grounded with aplomb close to the posts. He also duly added the conversion with eight minutes played.

Pwllheli slowly began to retain possession to good effect with Nick Butterworth finding some telling touch finders  but the lineout was not functioning smoothly enough to trouble Caernarfon unduly. The Cofis were hampered mid way through the first half when Roberts at standoff, who had played well up to that point, had to leave the field injured following an accidental collision. Soon afterwards a Butterworth half break and release saw centre John Pugh run on to the ball at pace from twenty metres out to wrong foot the cover and score. The reliable boot of winger Osian Parry Jones added the extras to tie the score.

Some unwarranted verbal comments granted Caernarfon a foothold in Pwllheli territory but nothing materialised whilst Pwllheli's sorties  out wide were met by stern tackling as the half drew to a close.

A number of new faces were evident amongst the squads of both teams and all acquitted  themselves well, none more so than the impressive Caernarfon flanker Robat Griffith and industrious Pwllheli Number eight Elis Pari.

The second period was barely four minutes old when a speculative clearance kick was fielded close to the half way line by winger Robin Hughes Jones who then set off at pace and weaved his way to within a few meters of the line before being brought to earth, however he had the presence of mind to off load to ever present John Pugh who dived in to score his second of the day. Osian Parry Jones again bisected the posts to increase Pwllheli's advantage.

Caernarfon's injury woes continued, losing replacement stand off Kelvin Morris and centre Dafydd Roberts to  knee injuries and although their deputies coped admirably the fluidity required in attack was not quite as evident. However mid way through the half a charge down nearly brought rewards for hooker Gareth Pritchard before the resultant scrum saw the ball fed wide to Dylan Gwyn who wriggled out of numerous attempted tackles to bring the Cofis renewed hope. The conversion drifted wide and following a ruck infringement some five minutes later the Cofis found themselves once more five points adrift when Osian Parry Jones converted the penalty. Numerous substitutions took to the field during the last ten minutes seeing solid second row Huw Williams take a deserved rest from the Pwllheli engine room, whilst partner Geraint Parry also left courtesy of a yellow card.

However  the one man advantage that Caernarfon had for the final few minutes was of no significance as the Pwllheli rush defence thwarted every possible attack at base to ensure that they took the spoils yet again.