From the off Caernarfon had struggled to gain parity in the scrums but were shading the lineout and defending in numbers to thwart Pencoed’s attacking threat.
Annes Sion was a revelation on debut, tackling strongly and displaying huge commitment throughout. On the half hour mark centre Dyddgu Hywel fielded a high ball and counter attacked with venom, drifting and sidestepping her way to within yards of the line. With good forward support, Ceri Ogwen offloaded to captain Cenin Eifion who grounded with the Pencoed defence in disarray.
This spurred the Pencoed attack to up their game and a touch of fine individualism by wing Hannah Seward, when she chipped over her opposite number and won the chase to the try line, was just reward for their efforts during the first 40 minutes.
Robin Wilkins added the extras to edge Pencoed ahead on the stroke of half-time.
Caernarfon remained committed during the second 40 and clawed themselves back into the lead thanks to a Sera Bailey penalty.
With the weather deteriorating, good hands were called for and full-back Jade Mullen displayed just that, collecting a difficult pass to score. Wilkins was again successful with the conversion to extend Pencoed’s lead.
Not to be denied, Caernarfon hit back with full-back Emily Oliver to the fore. Such inspiration put her side on the attack, Sera Bailey eventually going over for a score she also converted.
Caernarfon were left to consolidate their one point advantage for the final six minutes but sadly after heroic tackling, the dreaded whistle sounded and during the last play, a penalty call resulted in the trusted boot of Wilkins making the homeward journey that much more painful for the Caernarfon crew.
