RHUTHUN 22

BALA 13

LOCAL bragging rights belong to the lads from Cae Ddol.

It's now two wins from three matches for Rhuthun following their weekend triumph, while Bala are still searching for their first WRU League Division One (North) win of the season.

Bala started this derby strongly at Cae Ddol, but Rhuthun weathered their attacks and they began to forage in the visitors' half themselves.

After a period of Blues' pressure, centre Gethin Hughes went over the try line.

However, no score was forthcoming and Rhuthun were adjudged to have infringed, with Bala being awarded a penalty.

The men from Maes Gwyniad were unable to gain any advantage from the penalty and the Blues went back on the attack.

This time, Hughes got his try.

Defences were in the ascendancy for much of the rest of the half and both sides were eager to put the pressure on.

After a period of some good containing defence by the Blues in midfield, Bala were awarded a penalty and centre Rhydian Jones kicked it accurately between the posts.

Almost immediately after the restart, Rhuthun charged down a Bala kick and centre Emyr Gwynedd nipped over for a try, which full back Dyfan Humphreys converted.

The whistle blew for half-time with Rhuthun 12-3 ahead.

Bala started the second half in the same way as the first and again the Blues' defence held.

When play moved to the visitors’ half, second row Chris Davies scored his side's third try, with Humphreys converting.

The Blues were then forced to defend for long periods as Bala tried to reduce their arrears.

Eventually, after around an hour of play, Rhydian Jones ran around the Rhuthun defence and scored the visitors’ first try.

He made a similar move about a quarter-of-an-hour later and the result was a similar one as he scored again.

The scoreline was now 19-13 with five minutes to go and the match outcome was looking a little less certain.

However, when the Blues were awarded a penalty inside Bala’s half, Humphreys slotted over a pressure penalty goal to seal victory and deny Bala a losing bonus point.