COBRA storm into last four

The home side made the worst possible start by conceding a try in the opening minute as two sliced clearance kicks proved costly, the second of which was gathered by Pwllheli centre Deio Brunelli to score in the corner. Full back Gethin Roberts converted from out wide.

COBRA responded well and forced Pwllheli onto the back foot as they struggled to cope with the physicality of the pack and were forced to concede penalties. Outside half Alwyn Williams made Pwllheli pay by landing two penalties to bring COBRA back within a point. COBRA kept the pressure on Pwllheli and were camped deep in their territory and it seemed that a try was inevitable, however the defence held firm.

But Pwllheli then landed a sucker punch and scored against the run of play by running a tap penalty from their own 22. COBRA’s defence was disorganised and slow to react to the threat which allowed  hooker Kevin Morris to race clear and score. Roberts added the extras to open up a 6-14 lead.

With the half drawing to an end COBRA laid siege on the Pwllheli line. Penetrating runs by Barry Bud Jones, Ifan Evans and Chris Morris sucked in the Pwllheli defence which gave Flanker Aled Davies the room to crash over for a try with the last play of the half. Williams' conversion attempt narrowly missed to leave the half-time score 11-14.

COBRA were comfortable with the half-time score in the knowledge that if they cut out their mistakes the game was there for the taking. COBRA kept Pwllheli pegged back for most of the second half through astute tactical kicking by Alwyn Williams and Geraint Williams. Alwyn Williams kicked two penalties to put COBRA in the lead for the first time by 17-14. Pwllheli responded by landing a Penalty of their own to bring the scores level at 17-17. In the final quarter COBRA kept pressing for the score they needed to see them through. More strong running from the forwards forced Pwllheli to concede another Penalty, which Williams nervelessly slotted for COBRA to retake the lead.

The try that sealed the game came from a cross-field kick by Williams which isolated the Pwllheli winger, COBRA players arrived in numbers, the ball was won back by Sion Wyn Williams who slipped a pass to his centre partner Andrew Pryce to score. Williams added the conversion to complete the victory.

COBRA will now face either Caernarfon, Nant Conwy or Bro Ffestiniog in the Semi Final. 

1 H Jones 2 C Davies 3. A Evans 4. Bryn Edwards 5. R Vaughan 6 A Davies 7. C Morris 8 B Jones 9 I Vaughan 10 A Williams 11 I Evans 12 A Pryce 13 S Williams 14 M Jones 15 G Williams 16 A Roberts 17 J Watkin 18 G Evans 19 E Pryce