Ruthin scored 12 tries. Colwyn Bay failed to cross the line. As a mismatch, this warm up game was a useful run-out for the first third of the game – by then Ruthin had run in seven tries. “The passing was crisp and planned moves were executed well” commented coach Andy Williams. It was a captains’ start with former captain Kyle Davies touching down 3, former north Wales schoolboy international and junior North Wales captain Ben Taylor running in 2 and newly appointed captain Jordan Jones taking the 7th.
It was not clear what Colwyn Bay would take from this game. Their team contained a number of young players and it may have been used as part of their transition to the senior game. In the second third, Ruthin became more adventurous. There were excellent passing movements, strong runs from the agile prop Jason Humphreys and the passionate clubman Deian Williams. It was good to see Llangollen’s Gazelle in the blue and white hoops again. Darting runs through a weak defence allowed Josh Wilson to score 3 tries, he touched down out-wide and they were not converted. Under the posts is a key skill for a player whose return will boost Ruthin’s fortunes and a game in which conversions mean the difference between winning and losing.
And that was the difficulty for both teams as the game progressed – with the result clear and of little importance there was an inevitable sloppiness from the winners and sleepiness from the losers. Watched by excellent support from Ruthin with an entourage of subs in the technical area Ruthin were in free-flow. A long sharp pass from 2nd row set the left wing free, his stumble 5 metres out brought smiles and laughter from players and supporters and on a summer, seaside day warmed everyone to the spirit of rugby, the conversation on the touchline and the camaraderie of the game.
The score was 68-0 to Ruthin but only 30% of the 12 tries were converted. Coaches and players will look at this before the COBRA game next week to push this to at least 50%. With Wilson on the wing, kickers Nathan Jones and Deian Williams could be the key to Ruthin’s league place this season.
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