BRO FFESTINIOG 23
RUTHIN 14
A TOP-five SWALEC League Division One (North) finish looks a tall order for Ruthin after another weekend loss.
With both sides having unexpectedly lost the previous weekend, there was all to play for in this middle of the table clash at Bro Ffestiniog.
Ruthin had some early pressure with their pack performing well, but Bro weathered the attacks and began to challenge the visitors’ try line.
After a Bro scrum on halfway, the ball was kicked into Ruthin territory and the home side won the chase to get their first try which was converted.
Bro soon added a penalty goal to put them 10-0 ahead.
Ruthin spent most of the last 15 minutes of the half in Bro’s territory, with some good forward play but they failed to capitalise on the pressure and the whistle blew with the no further score.
After the break, the Cae Ddol side continued to have the upper hand, with some great phase play which led to a try by second row Chris Davies, converted by centre Ben Syme.
Bro responded with a penalty, but great running by wing Huw Parry set Davies up for his second try which Syme again converted.
With Ruthin now 14-13 ahead, Bro responded with another penalty to regain the lead.
However, Ruthin were handed a great advantage as Bro Ffestiniog went down to 14 men for the rest of the game when one of their players was sent off for his second yellow in the match.
Ruthin launched a furious attack and both skipper Joe Palmer and number eight John Meldrum got the ball over the line, only for it to be adjudged not to have been grounded on both occasions.
Despite being a man down, Bro were in no mood to concede and a great run by their full back Dan Jones led to their second try which was duly converted.
This was an entertaining match and Bro Ffestiniog will be pleased with their first double of the season.
Ruthin will rue the number of penalties they conceded in attacking positions but this was a much better performance than the previous weekend’s.
Bro graciously awarded Ruthin skipper Joe Palmer the man of the match accolade.