Fixture

Ruthin travelled to Nant Conwy on a cold but clear evening for this Division 1 North match and the crowd were treated to an excellent match of fast and open rugby.  The Blues showed their intentions from the start with good running and handling with Nant countering in similar fashion.  The home side were first to get points on the board after about 10 minutes with a penalty goal kicked by Delwyn Jones from in front of the posts.  The visitors then launched a series of attacks on the home line but Nant’s competent defence held and they eventually picked up a loose ball in the centre of the field and broke into Ruthin’s half and Carwyn Ellis scored a try converted by Jones.  Again the Blues tried to get through the Nant defence to no avail and after a break back into Ruthin’s half the home side were awarded a penalty which Jones slotted over for a half time score of 13-0.  After the break the visitors continued trying to break down the Nant defence and after some good forwards play scrum half Steffan Parry went over for a try with the conversion bouncing off the upright.  A few minutes later wing Sion Roberts slotted over a Ruthin penalty putting them within 5 points of the home side.  With the game continuing at a fast pace the Blues had to defend hard against a Nant attack and after a sustained period of defence the ball was kicked wide and over the try line leading to a chase by Ruthin and Nant players.  Both got there at the same time but Nant’s Carwyn Davies just managed to touch down before the ball went over the dead ball line.  Jones converted and the Blues were back trying to reduce the arrears.  After another period of searing attacks on the Nant line the ball was passed out to hooker Danny Miller who sped over the line for a fine try.  The conversion attempt went wide and the game played out with Ruthin having to be content with a losers’ bonus in a game that they could have won.  This was close on Ruthin’s best performance and bodes well for the remaining games.  Prop Jason Humphreys reached his 100^th game for the 1^st team in this match.