COLWYN BAY RFC V CAERNARFON RFC 6/1/07

HONOURS EVEN BETWEEN CHAMPIONSHIP CONTENDERS

Defeat would have severely dented both teams’ Division 4 North aspirations and a 13-13 draw in this closely fought game means that both sides are still in the running for the title.  The Bay had the better of the first half with Caernarfon defending strongly to keep the score to 8-3 in the Bay’s favour, but Caernarfon fought back in the second half for both teams to share the points.

The Bay pack started well orchestrating a series of driving mauls to take play towards the Caernarfon line.  There were several missed penalties by both sides in difficult conditions, until a foray into the Bay 22 resulted in a successful penalty by Caernarfon outside half Kelvin Morris for a 0-3 lead.  This was immediately followed with a Bay penalty by left wing Ash James to pull the scores level. 

With Will Blackwell winning good lineout ball and Chris Hughes gaining yardage in the loose the Bay started to dominate possession.  A half break by scrum half Josh Leach and a well timed pass put centre Jody Pryor in for an unconverted try to give the Bay a deserved 8-3 lead.  Strong running and long kicks by Bay full back Patrick Leach kept the pressure on Caernarfon and there were no further scores before half time.

Caernarfon started the second half strongly and, after winning a line out against the Bay throw in, an enterprising move by their three quarters was thwarted with a try saving tackle by Patrick Leach.  Caernarfon kept their game tight in the second half and strong pressure on the Bay line was rewarded with a Kelvin Morris penalty to take the score to 8-6. 

The Bay fought back to the Caernarfon 10 metre line and a half break by Josh Leach, followed by a clever dummy and break by outside half Matt Anwyl and offload gave Patrick Leach the opportunity to force his way over for a second Bay try and a lead of 13-6.  Caernarfon came straight back on the attack and a driving maul near the Bay line allowed flanker Paul Williams to force his way over for a try.  The conversion by Kelvin Morris took the score to 13-13, in a game which neither side deserved to lose.