A PLACE in the quarter-finals of a national competition is at stake for Ruthin this weekend.
The side from Cae Ddol travel south to take on Llantwit Fardre in the last 16 of the SWALEC Plate competition.
SWALEC League Division One (North) Ruthin have beaten Pwllheli and Vale of Clwyd rivals Dinbych on their way through to the latter stages of the competition, but a trip to Division Two (East) Llantwit Fardre will be their toughest ask to date.
Promoted back to Division Two at the end of last season, Llantwit Fardre are currently sixth in the league standings, with seven wins from 10 matches to date.
Ruthin Rugby Club chairman John Gower Hughes is under no illusions about the challenge facing the side on Saturday.
“It’s a tough one on Saturday,” he said.
“I don’t think we have played these before but I think they’re looking forward to it, depending on the side they can get out.”
At home, Llantwit Fardre have been in impressive form this season, winning four out of five matches.
After a period of inactivity due to the Six Nations Championship, Ruthin last week warmed up for the plate challenge with a 17-3 home friendly success over Bala.
Bala had the first chance to go ahead but missed with a penalty goal, while Ruthin replied after a period of sustained pressure with a Hugh Sharples try converted by scrum-half Wil Davies.
This was followed by a well-worked try by Dwayne Speakman.
Bala got a penalty goal back, but after Ruthin pressure Wil Davies went over for a further try.
With the score at 17-3 Ruthin were dominating the game and looking to score again when the referee called a halt to the match after 60 minutes as the pitch was beginning to freeze.
This was a good workout for Ruthin ahead of this Saturday’s tie, while it is an important cup period as far as the Blues are concerned with silverware in mind.
Following the SWALEC Plate tie, Ruthin visit Pwllheli in an intriguing North Wales Cup quarter-final second leg meeting.
The Vale of Clwyd side go to Pen Llyn defending a narrow 15-13 advantage from the first leg, but Pwllheli will still be confident of making progress, especially in light of their 42-6 league trouncing of Ruthin earlier this season.
“I think the North Wales (Cup) is probably the best chance realistically,” added John Gower Hughes.
“You know in the SWALEC there’s some good sides left in that.”