RUTHIN 22

CAERNARFON 18

A TOP-THREE spot remains within Ruthin's sights on the back of another successful weekend.

The Blues saw off visitors Caernarfon 22-18 to record their fifth WRU League Division One (North) triumph of the campaign.

Before kick-off, players, coaches and officials from the Caernarfon, Flint and Ruthin youth, second and first teams playing at Cae Ddol lined up for a minute's silence in memory of Mikey Jones, the Ruthin youth prop who tragically died with two of his friends in a car accident last month.

In a close match, reflecting that only one point separated the Ruthin and Caernarfon in the league, the result was in doubt right up to the final whistle.

Caernarfon were the first team with points on the board via a penalty goal from Aled Jones after five minutes of play.

Jones had a chance to extend the advantage soon after, but his penalty attempt failed.

From the restart, Ruthin went on the offensive and in the space of around 10 minutes, they took control of proceedings by scoring three tries.

Two were scored by centre Nathan Jones, which he converted, and the other came from scrum half Cai Edwards.

The visitors responded and after a period of pressure, Mark Jones went over the Ruthin whitewash, with Aled Jones successfully adding the conversion.

The Blues then missed the opportunity to widen the gap again through a penalty goal attempt and after 40 minutes of play, it was the home side who were 19-10 ahead.

Throughout the second half, Ruthin had to defend against well organised and effective Caernarfon attacking play.

Five minutes after the restart and the gap between the teams was down to six points on the back of Aled Jones' penalty.

The scoreline remained 19-13 for the next 20 minutes, with the Blues being denied possession and they were unable to effectively break out of defence for much of that time.

The visitors went down to 14 men following a yellow card, which gave Ruthin some relief.

Nathan Jones kicked a penalty goal to put Ruthin more than a score ahead.

However, the visitors weren’t finished and two minutes from time, Sion Wyn Roberts scored a try.

The conversion hit the upright and at 22-18, the home side spent a desperate few minutes in defence.

They were eventually awarded a penalty and the ball was kicked into touch to conclude the match.