CAERNARFON 19

RUTHIN 40

IT'S been a while in the making, but Ruthin are finally able to celebrate their second league victory away from home this season.

Not since a 68-3 thrashing of Colwyn Bay in mid-September had the Blues sampled a Division One (North) triumph away from Cae Ddol, however it all came right during their weekend trip to Caernarfon.

Both sides got off to nervous starts in the contest.

Caernarfon and Ruthin had opportunities to get points on the board via penalty kicks that were missed.

However, Caernarfon's penalty attempt resulted in a mix-up on the Ruthin line and this led to a scrum.

From this set piece, the ball was passed out to wing Dylan Gwyn, who crossed the whitewash to put the Cofis 5-0 up.

Undeterred, Ruthin responded with a try within two minutes.

Wing Harri Morgan crossed to level things up and a successful conversion from the boot of fly half Nathan Jones put the Blues into the lead.

Things soon got even better for Ruthin when prop Dan Owen went over for his side's second try, which was once again converted by Nathan Jones.

One of the home side's players was sin-binned after this and the Blues took advantage of their extra man to score two more tries in quick succession.

Hooker Danny Miller and number eight Arwyn Davies did the honours to hand the visitors a bonus point and Nathan Jones converted both of these efforts.

Although Ruthin kept up the pressure, there was no further score before half time.

Wing Josh Wilson extended Ruthin's lead even further with his try at the start of the second half, with Jones spot on with the conversion again.

It looked like Ruthin would have an easy second half, but a sending off just five minutes into the half changed all that.

Playing against 14 men for the rest of the half, Caernarfon were more confident and flanker Dafydd Hughes capitalised on a period of pressure to score a try, with full back Aled Jones converting.

The Blues were still looking dangerous in the Cofis' half of the pitch and after some good play, Harri Morgan gained his second try with a quarter-of-an-hour left to play.

That put Ruthin out of sight at 40-12, although the home side continued to try and reduce the arrears.

Five minutes from full time, centre Iolo Hughes broke following a lineout five yards from Ruthin’s try line to score a try, with replacement Dominic Iau converting.

Caernarfon battled on into stoppage time in an attempt to gain a try bonus point, but the Blues' defence held until the final whistle.