The opening exchanges were very evenly fought with Whitland forward Rebecca Norris prominent and intelligent with ball in hand whilst wing Nicky Walters also proved with her tackling that Caernarfon would find it hard to find gaps out wide.
Whitland flanker Nia Davies featured prominently in the home sides surges with scrum capped Elin Hywel repeating the feat of another past Whitland scrum-capped stalwart Angharad Williams, by being an ever present in every facet of play.
Jess Kavanagh-Williams from fullback, posed a constant Cofi threat, gaining valuable yardage and stretching the home defence whilst centre Elen Evans wrapped up anyone who considered venturing through midfield.
Whitland were unlucky to lose the services of Sioned Harries to injury on the half hour mark – she had been a forceful and influential presence within the home pack.
Just as an apparent pointless first half was due to close the inquisitiveness of Evans came to Caernarfon’s aid as she hovered close to the Whitland driving maul, tackled the segregated advancing player, secured quick turn over ball and set off an a 30 metre gallop to ground between the sticks and grant Bethan Davies an easy conversion to put the Cofis in the driving seat at the interval.
Whitland’s pressure from the restart, coupled with Caernarfon’s inability to clear their lines whilst in their own danger zone, soon saw the game’s complexion change.
Within six minutes, after a series of surges, an attacking scrum was utilised perfectly, seeing Davies pick up and deftly offload to advancing winger Walters who forced her way through the cover to score out wide.
Caernarfon’s No.8 Nicky Crawford carried with momentum but Jenny Collins was adept at tackling and securing turnover ball for the home side if Cofi support was not at hand quickly enough.
Natalie Walsh and fellow centre Mari Griffith also worked well in tandem and tackled tenaciously.
Caernarfon on a fairly rare incursion into Whitland’s half in the second period once again had Evans to thank, as her speed of thought in taking a quick tap penalty resulted in a 20 metre rush towards the try-line bear fruit, since the forwards were able to assist to ensure that the grounding was beyond the whitewash. Bethan Davies again stepped up to add the extras to give the Cofis a slight 14-5 cushion with 25 minutes to play.
Wounded Whitland were however quick to respond when good cohesive play brought them into the danger zone with Rebecca Norris timing her angled run to perfection to bulldoze her way to the try line for her fully deserved five pointer.
The final 20 minutes were therefore pivotal as regards the outcome. The determination of all was evident but individuals like Caernarfon prop Brea Leung found the added extra ingredient required to galvanise her troops and drive them forward.
Ceris Davies Hughes, Emma Edwards and replacement Olwyn Jones drove Whitland off the ball to deny them possession in vital areas whilst the inimitable Rachel Taylor was pivotal in exploiting the smallest of gaps to drag the Cofis to within touching distance of the tryline, the supporting pack were successful in ensuring flanker Jenny Davies was able to squeeze under the radar to ground the ball.
The final Whitland foray once again saw Taylor at base to deal and clear, thus drawing a highly competitive and excellent advert for ladies rugby to a close.
