The game was won and lost in the 1st 20 minutes as Cefni made the most sluggish of starts, and were simply not able to live with Pwll`s high tempo wide game early doors.It was 26-3 to the visitors after 20 minutes. However Cefni found the resilience, character and skill to win the last 60 minutes 34-27 !
Pwll`s 1st try was a statement of intent: when a Cefni attack broke down on their 10 metre line, the ball was whipped into midfield and 2 passes later , ex RGC stalwart Carwyn ap Myrddin raced in at the corner, 0-5. The 1st scrum of the game near half way, saw Cefni shunted backwards. Pwll moved the ball right , then back into midfield where ap Myrddin found the space to scamper over near the posts. His extras made it 0-12. Another dominant Pwll scrum and a no 8 drive saw Deio Brunelli in space. He stepped the fullback for a try converted by ap Myrddin: 0-19 !
Cefni finally decided to change gear and some strong carries and interpassing led to a 3 pointer for Rhys Hughes, 3-19. From the long restart Cefni had time to clear upfield, but the ball was kept in hand. When the clearance kick was finally used, it did notfind touch. Pwll`s left wing, Robin Hughes Jones, stood up his opposite number and sped down the outside channel to score the bonus point try, ap Myrddin`s extras stretched thePwll lead to 3-26.
Facing humiliation, Cefni started to impose their game. They penned Pwll in their 22 for several minutes. It seemed that Pwll`s defence would hold firm, until the Cefni pivot, Tom Owen, timed his pass to Greg Horsman to perfection. The latter`s pace and chosen angle meant try under the posts. Rhys Hughes made it 10-26. Cefni were now hitting their straps as debutant 2nd row, Dominic Owen, Ynnir Jones, Carrog Davies and others were breaking tackles and getting in behind the Pwll defence.
Cefni soon got their 2nd try after going through multiple phases and stretching Pwll on the right flank before switching left, where Greg Horsman fed Gethin Andrews who showed Pwll a clean pair of heels from 20 metres. Another Hughes kick and it was 17-26. Cefni needed to consolidate, but they botched the catch from the restart, allowing Pwll to attack into their 22. When Cefni were penalised, Pwll kicked to the corner and after a fine driving maul , hooker Kevin Morris got the touchdown. A fine conversion made it 17-33.
When Cefni regained possession, they used it well to stretch the Pwll defence. A deliberate knock on gave Cefni the penalty momentum, and a few phases later powerful Cefni 9, Aled Jones, was unstoppable from close range. No kick but 22-33 at the break.
Pwll got the next crucial score. It came afterCefni had driven a maul deep into the Pwll 22 only to have the ball ripped from their grasp. There followed a length of the field move , which ended with Gareth Williams racing over wide on the left. 22 -38. Cefni were tackling tenaciously and combative et the breakdown, and Rhys Hughes landed his 2nd penalty for 25-38. Cefni were looking dangerous but alleged crossing in midfield gave Pwll the chance to kick into the home 22. Their lineout drive was repelled, but they used their dominant scrum to allow their 9 the easiest of tries from the advancing scrum. 25-43.
Cefni responded with an excellent counter attacking try: when a Pwll attack broke down near the Cefni 10 metre line, Rhys Hughes made good ground up the touch line before feeding wing Gethin Andrews near the Pwll 10 metre line. There were 4 defenders around him , but he cut inside and out sprinted them to score under the posts: 32-43. Any hopes of an upset were soon dashed as Cefni fell foul of the ref`s whistle, allowing Pwll to set up camp in the home 22 and exploit their stronger scrum to add 2 further tries , for 32-53.
Cefni had the last word after a good break by Horsman, Dominic Owen took it on into the 22. After a few drives for the line the ball was moved left to prop Bedwyr Williams who forced his way over from close range. 37-51.
Not the win Cefni wanted, but there were many positives which suggest that first win is not so far away . Dominic Owen had an excellent debut in the 2nd row, showing up well in open play and stealing a few Pwll throws. Tom Owen showed up very well in his first game at no 10. Gethin Andrews confirmed that he can finish from all areas of the field if he is given the service.
Next week Cefni travel to Llandudno to play the table toppers .