RHUTHUN 13, NANT CONWY 13

THIRTEEN was lucky for the Blues over the weekend.

On a bitterly cold and wet day, third and fourth placed Nant Conwy and Rhuthun fought out an enthralling draw at Cae Ddol.

For the first few minutes, both sides attempted to get used to the conditions and play did not move much out of midfield.

Rhuthun then began to test the visitors’ defence and after a quarter-of-an-hour, the pack drove over the Nant line, with flanker Matt Roberts gaining the opening score.

Nant Conwy responded and after the Blues conceded a number of penalties in defence, Steffan Horan kicked a penalty goal to reduce the gap between the sides.

With the score at 5-3 after 25 minutes, Rhuthun went back on the attack and Nant defended well against the Blues' strong forward attack.

That is until just before half time when Matt Roberts scored again from a driving maul.

Nant reduced the arrears almost immediately with another penalty goal from Horan and the whistle blew for half time with Rhuthun 10-6 ahead.

On the restart, the visitors went straight on the attack and after five minutes, Steffan Williams broke through the home defence for a fine try.

This was converted by Horan and Nant were ahead for the first time in the match.

Rhuthun spent most the rest of the second half trying to get past a dogged Nant defence in worsening conditions.

The drizzle, which had continued for most of the match, turned into more persistent rain.

Despite Rhuthun having the majority of the possession and territory in the last quarter, it looked as though the game might end with no further score.

But, just as the 80 minutes were up, the Blues were awarded a penalty on Nant’s 22 and centre Nathan Jones slotted over the kick to make sure the game ended 13-13.