Fixture

Caernarfon Ladies  7   Whitland Ladies  15.

The opening exchanges of this Premier Cup competition fixture were not indicative of the dour forward battle that was to follow, especially during the second half. Caernarfon started brightly enough with Whitland slower than usual to react meaning that they were tagged in their twenty two during the opening minutes. Brea Leung led the initial Cofi charges but it was a touch of fortune that led to the opening score when an attempted clearance was charged down by fullback Beth Davies and with a fortunate bounce she was able to collect and sprint clear to score behind the posts. Davies also slotted the accompanying conversion to establish a seven point cushion with only five minutes played.

The good work was undone some three minutes later when on Whitland's first foray a set lineout move saw impressive Becky Norris collect the off load and charge 10 meters down the tramline unhindered to score.

What followed was a highly competitive and energy sapping tussle with the Cofis edging territorially but not able to construe  the defence unlocking plan that the approach work of Iona Evans and Greta Jâms in midfield had aspired to. With half time approaching Whitland found themselves within striking distance and a quickly taken penalty and charge by Norris once again caught the Cofis unaware and granted her, her second touchdown of the day to put Whitland in the ascendancy at halftime.   

The third quarter was spent almost entirely in the Caernarfon twenty two. Whitland could be proud of their ball retaining skills with some fifteen phases being put together before a scrum was called. They could however have rued the mistaken  opportunities presented during this period of ascendancy. Caernarfon on the other hand could be immensely proud of their defensive heroics during the said period with tackle after tackle keeping the line intact. Nicky Crawford and Brea Leung were immensely impressive with their 'Moriarty' type hits bringing numerous try line forays to a shuddering halt. The Cofis eventually conjured a way out of their danger zone after twenty five minutes but were met by an equally stubborn Whitland resistance. The blue scrum cap of Elin Hywel was never more than a few meters from the ball and she often either prevented quick release or secured valuable turnover ball. Fellow flanker Jenny Collins also offered her usual frustrating presence to halt the Cofi charges.

Caernarfon lost a ball out wide and the clearance kick set Whitland up for another series of attacks. Emma Summons and Nat Walsh swapped scrum half roles when close to the Cofi try line but the same resistance was met. Eventually however the pressure told with a ball swept wide finding wing Kath Davies in enough space to ground in the corner. During the last five minutes Caernarfon mounted a sustained attack of their own and nearly gained just reward when Nicky Crawford's try line surge was only denied by the timely intervention of Sara Davies's knee that dislodged the ball when in the act of grounding.

Everyone who took to the pitch could be proud of their efforts with valuable game time experience having been ensured for these dedicated band of ladies.