1st XV 24 Llandudno 0

Sat, 17 Sep 2011

Cefni gained their first victory of the season without conceding a point to their hosts on a blustery wet day which eventually turned into a fine day for the spectators and the islanders’ young team.

Llandudno kicked off into a brisk wind, hoping to peg Cefni down for the first half and await their advantage in the second period. To their credit, Cefni denied them all opportunities to score and in fact after 20 minutes gained a hard fought penalty to secure a 0-3 lead through the boot of out half Milburn.

All knew that this would not be enough at the turnaround and Cefni continued to press hard for more points. Had they been giving less penalty infringements at the breakdown, their continued assault on the home side would surely have ensured a more comfortable lead. Despite this, as half time approached, Cefni got into a strong field position after a strong run from right wing Williams and continued breakdown of the scrum meant they were awarded a series of penalty opportunities at goal. They spurned these and kept the ball alive, sucking in the defence before releasing the ball right and move it swiftly to Williams to score out wide on the right. Milburn converted well from far out. HT 0-10

As expected, in the second half, Llandudno came back strongly expecting perhaps to overhaul what was still a slim lead for Cefni against the strong breeze. Much of the home side’s tactics were strong runs from the forwards and their out halves and their big centre. Cefni’s young side coped well with these charges, often stealing the ball at breakdown, and managing to give less penalties away than in the earlier period. Despite this, their indiscipline showed again this week and 2 players spent a period off the field.

This meant a weakened side having to work much harder at times yet again, but against a strong attack, Captain Iwan Davies led the fight back with a strong run from defence; he kicked forward and the supporting players continued the surge up field on the right side again. A great sweeping counter attack was deservedly capped with Milburn flying over and converting his own try to stretch the lead to 0-17.

With a more comfortable score, Cefni continued to harry their hosts to mishandling and infringing. From a penalty, scrum half Gray tapped quickly and cut through the line of defence gaining 40 metres, forwards supporting carried the movement on before centre Hughes nipped over for Cefni’s third try again converted by Milburn, the islanders went away with a deserved win, if only for their determination and tenaciousness in denying their hosts any real scoring chances all afternoon.

The Llangefni Youth team playing a “friendly” travelled to Bala and with a good win against Denbigh the week before they were out for the first away win to add to their belt. Winning comfortably 54 points to 12 they were the deserved victors.

This Saturday, Cefni seniors are at home to Rhuthun, and the youths at home to Caernarfon, come and support these young developing sides.