Initial pressure was concentrated in the away side’s 22 meter area with a dropped final pass denying the Cofis the opening score. However, with a slightly more dominant scrum in the early stages a take against the head granted Ceris Davies an opportunity to charge towards the line and although tackled by a number of green shirted ladies she was just able to ground on the whitewash.
Cofi flanker Sara Patchett was alert and threatning while Sophie Edwards in the Abergele backline denied numerous advancing Cofis with disciplined aggression. Abergele’s standoff Elinor Issac probed with the boot and tackled well to ensure that there was no way through close to the breakdown areas.
Half-time arrived with the Cofis still only five points to the good so an injection of pace and quick thinking was called for; Caernarfon were lucky to be able to introduce Jess Kavanagh Williams to the fray at this point and it was her introduction that changed the course of the game.
Her usual trademark quick penalty take was decisive in establishing a slight cushion for the Cofis as she caught the opposition unaware and scarpered over the line from fifteen meters out. Yasmin Leung also added the conversion to afford a twelve point lead.
The Cofis then played with a little more freedom with the likes of prop Emma Edwards devastating in the tackle and hooker Non Roberts intelligent with and without the ball. Returning centre Becky Williams was enjoying running with ball in hand but it was Kavanagh Williams who then extended the lead even further when picking up at the base of the scrum and scattering would be defenders to score her second try.
Alisha Minor and Emma Parry showed up well for Abergele being busy and industrious throughout but they were lacking the element of surprise and pace that’s needed at the higher level of the women’s game. Jess Kavanagh Williams then completed her hat trick from a basic tap penalty move before wing Sian Breakell believed that she had got her first ever touchdown for the club only for it to be denied for an obstruction on a covering player earlier in the move.
After weeks of inactivity it was nice for the ladies to get some much needed match action with possible fixtures against Pwllheli and Cobra due shortly in the same Cup competition for the Cofis. Abergele having already defeated Cobra will attempt to keep up the pressure when facing Pwllheli shortly.
Meanwhile, the future of North Wales Women’s Rugby looks to be in capable hands if Caernarfon Under 15 Girls’ 34-7 win over Dolgellau is representative of the talent on offer. From the off both sides were fully committed, tackled heroically and maintained their shape and positions throughout.
Caernarfon were donning their new strip courtesy of My Scaffold and each player wore it with pride. From the outset it became apparent that a competitive and interesting fixture was in the offing with the match official highly effective in his interpretation of the rule book. Effective work early on by Ffion Jones and Elin Jones helped the Cofi cause before the first touchdown was scored when scrumhalf Molly Kelly spotted a gap with ten minutes played to record the squads first try of the year.
Soon Dolgellau secured a riposte when fleet footed Rhiannon Mills burst clear to leave would be tacklers trailing and grounded close to the posts so that Catrin Williams could add the conversion.
Beth Whittle was a constant line breaker for the Cofis but it was yet again Molly Kelly who was able to capitalise on the initial probing to force her way over for her second touchdown also adding the conversion. Speedster Holly Jones got in on the act to outpace the cover and bring the first half’s scoring to an end.
Dolgellau remained a threat with both Sara James and Rhiannon Mills effective in their backline, Caernarfon had the growing presence of hooker Amy Roberts to thank for much good work with ball in hand and it was her pass to Beth Whittle that brought the centre her try mid way through the half.
Forwards Malen Meredydd and Marged Davenport were industrious and effective with Mared Jones likewise at tight head. However as the game progressed more space became available thus allowing the Cofis two further touchdowns one from centre Holly Jones and the final try from a balanced and deceptive run by Seren Hughes converted by Molly Kelly to bring a highly entertaining fixture to a close.
