Rhuthun played newly promoted COBRA on a lovely afternoon at Cae Ddol on Saturday in what was a typical first match of the season with occasional flashes of brilliance but mistakes from both sides. For the first quarter both sides were probing each other and although Rhuthun probably had most territory they were unable to score against a competent visitor defence. The Blues began to up their game and after 20 minutes the first score went on the board with a fine tray from wing Gwion Richards. Rhuthun continued to probe COBRA’s defence, effectively containing attempts by the visitors to mount an attack, but weren’t scoring. Towards the end of the first half COBRA began to test Rhuthun’s try line and were eventually awarded a penalty, kicked over the crossbar by their fly half. There was no further score in the first half and the players went in with Rhuthun 5-3 ahead. Straight after the break the Blues were awarded a penalty in midfield and kicked for touch on COBRA’s 22. From the resulting lineout Rhuthun’s pack drove over for a try by scrum half Cai Edwards with full back Nathan Jones kicking the conversion. Within 2 minutes the home side scored again when after some typical flowing Rhuthun play Nathan was released to go over COBRA’s whitewash and converted his own try. The Blues were now looking for their bonus point try but the game descended into rather a scrappy affair with 3 yellow cards and the ref having to take the captains aside on a number of occasions. Although the game was scrappy COBRA were looking more effective in Rhuthun’s 22 stopped only by good defence and Rhuthun’s backs were continuing to make forays towards COBRA’s try line. Virtually on 80 minutes the Blues break came when Gwion sped over the whitewash with Nathan converting. With just a few minutes of injury time to go COBRA’s replacement winger ran through the home defence and scored and the whistle blew for full time with Rhuthun winning 26-8.
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