An added setback befell the team when flanker Isi Rees had to withdraw during the warm up. The line however was not breached for the first 15 minutes with the game having moved to and fro constantly.
The quick thinking and urgency of Emma Summons at scrum half resulted in a quickly taken tap that caught the Caernarfon defence flatfooted and allowed centre Natalie Walsh to charge through to open the scoring.|
The Cofis responded with an Elin Evans downfield kick causing confusion and despite charges from close range by Ceris Davies and Nia Tomos the ball was finally spilt and the chance to gain parity was lost.
Whitland’s superior numbers meant a constant attempt to work an overlap but centre Hannah James took a far more direct approach and burst through to score on the half hour mark following quick recycling to ground beneath the posts for competent Cath Davies to add the extras.
With the half beyond the 40 minutes following numerous injuries including the sidelining of Elin Evans for medical assistance, Natalie Walsh added to Caernarfon’s woes when she found a gap out wide to motor towards the try line for a fine converted try.
Caernarfon’s task was made that much more difficult following the restart with a shoulder injury to second row Nicola Jones and a head clash that left captain Cenin Eifion functioning on instinct alone.
On resuming play Hannah Richards who had been well marshalled by forward cum winger Catrin Roberts for most of the game, finally stole a march when Whitland went blind from a scrum, created the extra lady, and allowed Hannah a sprint to the line.
Almost from the restart a clean break by Alice James at stand off set up ever-present Walsh to complete her hat rick by grounding close to the posts to allow Cath Davies another customary conversion.
Caernarfon tried hard to stem the tide but found it difficult to make headway against the stiff breeze and good first up tackles.
Ceris Davies and Nia Tomos remained undaunted, charging forward and setting up good ball whilst Sera Bailey at stand off succeeded in breaking the first line of defence with deceptive pace.
However with tired, shivering bodies littering the field exquisite timing of the pass by Cath Davies set up Richards for her second try.
Whitland used their abundant substitutes to introduce fresh legs and give everyone game time but Alaw Davies was up to the fresh challenge stopping one certain try with her usual robust tackling. Mary Atkinson and Emma Edwards had also tackled tirelessly as part of a workmanlike front row.
Towards the end one other midfield charge and offload afforded Richards the honour of emulating her backline team mate’s feat of scoring a hat trick of tries that was converted by Davies.
The final hack up field saw a foot race between a dearth of green shirts and Caernarfon’s loose head prop Brea Leung who to her credit secured the ball and wriggled free for long enough to allow her team mates to assist and clear their lines.
The result ensures that Caernarfon will play a semi final in the Plate Competition at home on the 14th April but face a stern challenge at Neath in a weeks time.
