On a bitterly cold and wet day 3rd and 4th placed Nant Conwy and Rhuthun fought out an enthralling draw at Cae Ddol on Saturday. For the first few minutes or so as both sides got used to the conditions play did not move much out of mid field. Rhuthun then began to test the visitors’ defence and after 15 minutes play the pack drove over the Nant line with flanker Matt Roberts scoring. Nant responded and after the Blues conceded a number of penalties in defence Steffan Horan kicked a penalty goal. With the score at 5-3 after 25 minutes the Blues went back on the attack and Nant defended well against the Blues strong forward attack until just before half time when Roberts scored again from a driving maul. Nant reduced the arrears almost immediately with another penalty goal from Horan and the whistle blew for half time with Rhuthun 10-6 ahead. On the restart the visitors went straight on the attack and after 5 minutes Steffan Williams broke through the home side defence for a fine try converted by Horan and Nant were ahead for the first time in the match. Rhuthun spent most the rest of the second half trying to get past a dogged Nant defence in worsening conditions as the drizzle which had continued for most of the match turned into more persistent rain. Despite Rhuthun having the majority of the possession and territory in the last quarter it looked as though the game might end with no further score at 13-10 to Nant. But just as the 80 minutes were up the Blues were awarded a penalty on Nant’s 22 and centre Nathan Jones slotted over the kick and the game ended at 13 points apiece.
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