Fixture

North Wales Youth League 
North West

Dolgellau 22 Caernarfon 22
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Caernarfon were the visitors to the Marian on Friday night and Dolgellau would have to work very hard to keep their 100% record in the league so far. The visitors arrived in determined mood boasting a large squad in numbers and in size. It was a good night for rugby, a relatively cool evening with the pitch still holding an heavy dew from the rain earlier in the day.
The visitors drew first blood after an early line out in the Dolgellau half and a couple of well executed phases and their inside centre went over under the posts. The home side though were quick to strike back. Lock Ben Davies gathered the ball and put the defence on the back foot with a powerful run, from the ensuing ruck scrum half Daniel Thomas fired the ball out wide, centre Gwion Jones drew the cover defence and passed out of contact to the ever present open side Cai Smith who touched down out wide.
Dolgellau continued the good work, sustaining pressure on their burly opponents with long periods of possession paired with a keen aggressive defence lead by blindside flanker Dafydd Bryan and it was through that defensive work that the home side scored their next points. A long kick deep into the Caernarfon half from fly half Tom Markham allowed their full back to gather the ball and attack the line but Dolgellau’s defensive press was too quick. Centre Owain Thomas made a big hit in the mid field causing the ball carrier to spill possession, Thomas instantly fly hacked the ball up field, then gathered to score under the posts. Jones added the conversion to take the lead into the half time break.
Caernarfon came out with intent, a ten minute spell of dominance saw them score two quick fire tries. One out wide which caught the home side napping, the other was well a well taken effort. Their excellent N.o 8 picking up from a ruck in the 22 and offloaded out of contact for the supporting scrum half to cross. It would’ve been very easy for Dolgellau to cave in under the pressure but captain and N.o 8 Tim Jones was having none of it and rallied the troops, leading from the front carrying deep and never taking a backward step.
There then came a period of intense rugby where both side attacked and defended for all they were worth. Caernarfon’s big runners continually battered the line but the home side’s defence was continually up for the task also they were very impressive in attack, never afraid of getting the ball wide backing their skillset and handling in the tricky conditions. But it was defensive pressure that was to hand Dolgellau the next score. Caernarfon attacked in their own half from turnover ball in the centre of the line, they pushed the ball wide only to be picked off by winger Sei Jones who intercepted the ball to score out wide for a very popular try. Centre Jones added the conversion to equal the scores 19-19.
The intensity continued and the Cofis kicked a penalty for offside, taking the lead with minutes remaining. Then in the final minute Caernarfon gave away a penalty on the half way line, coming in from the side at a ruck, up stepped scrum half Thomas who calmly put the long range effort over for the draw.
This was an excellent game with some fine preformances from both sides and a draw was a fair result. Jones and Thomas in the centres continue to impress and winger Callum Thornton was always a threat and tough in defence. In the forwards it was good to see lock Ifan Jones back in action and Owain Kelly is improving with every game. All the replacements made a significant impact with Iolo Evans being the pick of the bunch.  Man of the match went to Ben Davies his ball carrying and defensive work was exceptional on the night. Caernarfon came into this game as favourites but Dolgellau certainly proved they will be a competitive force throughout the season.