RUTHIN 5
NANT CONWY 47
A CHAMPION display has ensured back-to-back SWALEC League Division One (North) titles for Nant Conwy.
Needing a bonus point win at Ruthin to take the championship, Nant achieved this in some fashion.
Nant Conwy’s well organised and disciplined display was a credit to their team and coaches and was worthy of their status in North Wales rugby.
Ruthin opened strongly for the first 10 minutes, but Nant weathered the pressure and in their first foray into the Blues’ half they scored with a pushover try from their skipper and number eight Carwyn Ellis, converted by fly half Llywarch ap Myrddin.
Nant’s strength in the pack and well-worked set pieces combined with good phase play were too much for the Cae Ddol hosts and after a further 10 minutes second row Dewi James powered over the line for a try, with ap Myrddin again converting.
Shortly before half-time the Blues went down to 14 men when a player was sin-binned and almost immediately ap Myrddin broke through the Ruthin defence and scored a try which he converted himself.
Nant needed one more try to secure the Division One title and it came when centre Ifan Jones scored straight after half-time, with the prolific ap Myrddin again kicking the extras.
The Blues had not given up, however, and although they spent periods in the opposition half with good displays by centre Gethin Hughes and second row Chris Davies, they were unable to convert territory into points.
Nant continued to score with a further three tries by wing Rhys Roberts, full back Grant Jones and scrum-half Osian Roberts, two being converted by ap Myrddin, giving them a 47-0 lead.
The Blues’ determination was rewarded in the last minute with a try by prop Clwyd Williams after good work by Gethin Hughes and full back Jamie Morris.
The first team have had their toughest season for some years, but there have been excellent displays by Ruthin Youth who finished second in the league after a 17-16 win over Llangefni and the second team, who meet Wrexham in the final of the Clwyd Cup at Cae Ddol tonight (Thursday) at 7.30pm, hoping to retain the cup they won last year.