Flint U 16 travelled to Caernarfon for there first game of the New Year. With the loss against Whitchurch on December 12th still fresh as this was the last time the team was together and no game or training had taken place since.

The game started with both sides testing each other to try and find weaknesses. Caernarfon had the bigger pack and used this well in the first couple of scrums however Flints smaller pack soon found the technique to hold there bigger opponents and with some excellent work in the “engine room” by both second rows and some good strikes from the hooker Flint started to take balls against the head. Both sets of backs were keen to try each others defensive lines with some excellent lines being ran. It was Flints backs however that looked the most dangerous with stand off Luke O’Brien taking complete control of operations and creating some excellent opportunities for his centres. It was one such call by O’Brien that opened up a big gap in the Caernarfon defence allowing outside centre Ryan Jones to run in the first try of the game (converted). Caernarfon were not to be outdone and ran in a good try following poor tackling, which is becoming a regular Flint downfall! The rest of the half saw some very entertaining rugby played by both sides however the only other score came from a penalty converted by Caernarfon at the stroke of half time. The second half saw Caernarfon start with a new lease of life and within minutes of the kick off Flint were under pressure however some brave defence and a couple of good clearances from the backs meant Flint held firm. The Caernarfon onslaught lasted a good 10 minutes however Flints forwards were slowly coming back into the game and when Jamie Stenhoff came off the bench to play for the first time since injury sidelined him in October the pack started to take control of the lose which gave the backs the platform they needed to launch some outstanding attacks. When Caernarfon conceded a penalty on there own 22, Flint played the ball to the backs and some outstanding handling saw inside centre Chris Baines run in a well worked try (converted). Flint now had the edge with there forwards causing Caernarfon problems in open play and set pieces. However the next try was again created by some clever play from fly half O’Brien and some slick handling from his backs which again created a gap for outside centre Ryan Jones to score his second (unconverted). Caernarfon fought on and scored a good try, again caused by some poor tackling from the Flint side, with 3 minutes to go (unconverted). From the restart Caernarfon attacked however some brave defence from Flint allowed them to hang on to the victory.