1st XV 24 Bro Ffestiniog 34

Sat, 19 Nov 2011

With Bro Ffestiniog having lost just 3 of their seasons games so far and positioned 3rd in the league, Llangefni were expecting a hard game. But with playing conditions a lot better from when both teams last met, when Bro won, Llangefni were the dominant for most of the game. But allowing Bro to come back and take the spoils in the last minutes of the game when fitness showed through, the final score Llangefni 24 - Bro Ffestiniog 34.

Llangefni kicked off the game to a lively start with Cefni showing their early intentions. Just 5 minutes into the game a break from deep territory by Cefni scrum half Mark Gray, taking in the Bro defences before passing out wide to centre Tom Williams who was able to run through the remaining defence and under the posts for the first try of the game. Successfully converted by the reliable boot of centre half Carwyn Milburn, the score 7 – 0.

Play continued with Cefni playing with some determination and style. Just 12 minutes into the game and from deep in Cefni territory, with good interplay within the squad, started by Cefni captain no. 8 Iestyn Dafydd, the ball was passed out to centre Tom Williams, passing to the wing, who passed back to Williams who saw the open field, his second try and safely converted by Milburn, 14 – 0 with less than 17 minutes played.

Play seemed to settle down at this point and Cefni continued with their attack at Bro Ffestiniog. Another break by Cefni centre Alun Jones saw Cefni move up field; but with a Bro infringement a scrum was awarded to Llangefni. When placed into the scrum the ball was picked up by captain No. 8 Iestyn Dafydd who charged forward but became isolated from his team players, and for holding on, penalty to Bro who kicked out for line out. Taking the line out, Bro retained possession and ran across field, passing the ball from hands to hands, and eventually to the hands of winger Stephen Lay, seeing open ground he ran for the try line and in at the corner. With a missed conversion the score 14 – 5.

Play continued with Bro coming back at Llangefni. A speculative kick by Cefni deep in their own territory saw Bro outside centre Lee Aspden charge the ball down which bounced back to Bro centre half Ian Ellis who was able to go under the posts, try to Bro, successful converted 14 – 12.

With Bro on their heels, Cefni upped the tempo, and from excellent build up, going through the phases, centre Alun Jones saw the open field and kicked over the Bro defences into deep Bro territory for Cefni second row John Hughes to chase after the ball, winning the ball and over the try line for Cefni`s third try, successfully converted by Carwyn Milburn, 21 – 12.

Bro Ffestiniog came back hard at Llangefni catching them off guard. Bro centre half Ian Ellis kicking up field with a good chase of ball, Llangefni in desperation to stop the attack failed to secure the ball, instead a Cefni infringement saw Bro awarded a penalty try, successfully converted by centre Ian Ellis, the score at half time 21 – 19.

With Bro Ffestiniog kicking off the second half, they became the dominant side and seemed in control forcing Cefni to make errors in play which affected the continuation of their 1st half performance. Cefni hooker Emyr Williams was called by referee Mr. Haydn Owen and for reasons unknown sent off for 10 minutes, yellow card. With just 14 men however Cefni continued to try getting their first half performance back. Bro were found offside and from the resulting penalty saw Cefni Carwyn Milburn pierce the posts, extending the lead 24 – 19.

Play continued with some determination from both sides, but with Bro passing the ball out wide, it came to winger Stephen Lay once more, who seeing the try line, ran with the ball and into the corner, but with a missed conversion the score 24 – 24. Play continued and with just 10 minutes left of the game, Bro`s fitness and determination won the day with a further try being scored by centre Lee Aspden, successfully converted 24 – 31, and in the dying minutes of the game a penalty awarded to Bro Ffestiniog, Cefni found off side. Bro centre Lee Aspden took the challenge which he successfully kicked, the final score at the full Llangefni 24, Bro Ffestiniog 34.

Next Saturday Llangefni travel to Bala, just ahead of Llangefni in the league, so an interesting must win game