With heavy rain before the match and virtually continuous rain through the match playing conditions were difficult in the encounter between Ruthin and Colwyn Bay. The seasiders started strongly and within 5 minutes took advantage of some loose play by Ruthin to get points on the board with a try by 2nd row John Astbury converted by fly half Pat Atkinson. The Blues responded but a competent Bay defence prevented them from reducing the arrears. For the rest of the 1st half play oscillated from end to end and with defences in the ascendancy, a slippery ball and some poor handling on the Ruthin side in attacking positions there was no further score and at half time the visitors were 7-0 ahead. The game continued in the same way in the second half. Both sides were getting into scoring positions but with Colwyn’s strong pack neutering Ruthin’s scrums and defences still in the ascendancy scores were difficult to come by. The game was stopped 30 minutes into the 2nd half because of referee injury and restarted after a 15 minute break with a replacement referee from the finished 2nd team match. The visitors increased their lead with a penalty goal by Atkinson but almost immediately afterwards Blues 2nd row Sion Roberts forced himself over the visitors’ try line. The conversion missed and there was no further score before the whistle blew with Colwyn Bay winning 10-5 and Ruthin having to be content with a loser’s bonus point.
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