Caernarfon returned south once again to play a team of equal standing and put on a heroic display from the start.
Losing prop Becky Cartwright after 10 minutes could have led to Croesyceiliog gaining the upper hand but instead this led to greater determination.
On breaking out of defence a clearance kick was charged down and caught by Alaw Williams who sprinted 25 meters to score.
The hard ground and Caernarfon’s tactic of kicking for position paid dividends with Sera Bailey at stand off, a fine exponent of the art.
Gaining such field position led to a backs move allowing Rhian Jones to shrug off would be tacklers to reach the try line.
On the half hour Croesyceiliog pressure finally paid off with stand off Rhian Owen reaching the line to score. The revival was short lived. Caernarfon’s next foray saw a combined forward surge resulting in halfback Kate Jones finally surfacing after having grounded the ball.
The expected halftime cushion was cut when Croesyceiliog centre Hannah Roberts, broke through to score with the last play of the half to give the visitors a 10-15 lead at the break.
Caernarfon’s second half started shakily with Croesyceiliog’s Natalie Gray scoring with a forward surge to gain parity.
The bruised and battered bodies gave everything to the cause with Nia Thomas at second row enjoying the fray with strong charges up the field.
The hassling of opponents led to 10 metre scrum which allowed Cenin Eifion to drive to the corner before feeding Kate Jones to score her second try.
All conversions went narrowly astray as did one penalty attempt that would have settled the issue but the commendable ‘never say die’ attitude of Croesyceiliog deservedly brought them level five minutes from time when back row forward, Tanya Price, peeled off a driving maul to score in the corner.
The final whistle sounded with Caernarfon pressing for victory but an added score would have been rough justice. Caernarfon’s next match will be at home in the cup competition on April 17th k.o. 2.30.
Croesyceiliog went away to Lampeter University on Sunday 3rd and secured a convincing win 0-63.
Their next fixture is in the Plate competition against Blackwood with their date yet to be confirmed.
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