A MOMENTOUS year for Ruthin Youth began in heartbreaking fashion.
They drew 14-14 at home with Caerphilly in the Webb Ellis Welsh Youth Cup, but it was the South Wales side who progressed as the away team.
Ruthin were dominant versus other youth sides in the north region, though, and they wrapped up the North Wales League title with a 56-5 success against Wrexham.
The match was preceded by a minute’s silence in memory of Tom Scrivner, who sadly lost his battle with cancer.
Tom played in the last Ruthin team to win the youth title in 2000.
A try saving tackle from Arwyn Roberts earned Ruthin Youth a place in the final of the RAF Welsh Youth Championship for the first time ever.
He hauled winger Kieron Watkins down a couple of yards short of the line as Ruthin beat Tondu Youth 23-19.
Glamorgan Wanderers proved too strong for the Blues in the final at Cross Keys, running out 49-10 winners, but Ruthin recovered from this setback to see off Rhyl 30-14 in the final of the North Wales Cup.
Ruthin Youth have also found their form this season.
In the first round of the Webb Ellis Welsh Youth Cup, the Blues romped to a superb 38-7 success at home to Rumney.
Hywel Gellifor and Lewis Isaac crossed for a brace of tries apiece.
In junior rugby, there was plenty of local representation as North Wales U-15s won the Amdahl Bowl courtesy of a 34-7 scoreline against Rhymney Valley at Swansea’s St Helens ground.
Ruthin’s Alex Peasley, Joe Williams, Jamie Jones and Jordan Jones all took their places in the team.
Meanwhile, for the third year in a row Ruthin U-11s won the Anglo-Welsh Trophy.