DINBYCH 3

RUTHIN 31

VALE of Clwyd bragging rights belong to the lads from Cae Ddol.

Ruthin took the honours in an early season local derby at Dinbych as they eased to a bonus point victory, scoring five tries without reply.

The score did not reflect the competitive nature of much of the game, with a largely inexperienced Dinbych pack battling well in the set piece scrums and lineouts, but with Ruthin having the upper hand in open play through their greater physicality in contact and their more aggressive play in the breakdown areas.

After early sparring, Ruthin took the lead in the seventh minute when they kicked a penalty into the left hand corner.

Although the initial forward drive from the lineout was repulsed, the ball was recycled across the field for scrum half Cai Edwards to go over for an unconverted try.

Ruthin continued to dominate, but Dinbych eventually gained a foothold in the visitors' 22 and they reduced the deficit in the 20th minute when full back Gruff Roberts kicked a penalty from 20 metres out.

Ruthin reacted immediately with outside half Iestyn Davies crossing for their second try near the corner after a break down the narrow side just inside the Dinbych 22.

Full back Nathan Jones added the conversion points.

Dinbych did well to deny any scores by the visitors, with right wing Jack Jones and replacement centre Ben Maxwell on his debut leading the way by putting in some bone crunching tackles to halt promising moves.

Without any further score, Ruthin led at half time by a 12-3 margin having had the better of the first half play.

Ruthin extended their lead in the opening minutes of the second half when they again kicked a penalty into the corner.

Following a couple of driving mauls from the ensuing lineout, lock Cameron Lumbsden went over wide out for a try, converted by Nathan Jones.

The Blues went further ahead 11 minutes into the half when replacement centre Emyr Gwynedd touched down after cutting infield from a short range attack near the right hand touchline for a try, converted by Nathan Jones.

Dinbych were always attempting to attack through their pacy back division, with captain Tom Seddon and the back three of Aidyn Jones, Kieran Bonar and Gruff Roberts all going close with forceful runs. Ruthin then added their final try following a ruck on the Dinbych 10-metre line on the left with Nathan Jones capping a fine display by crossing for an unconverted try in the right hand corner, beating several defenders in a long run in from near halfway.

Dinbych closed the game in the final five minutes on the attack deep in the Ruthin 22, where the visitors conceded a sequence of penalties resulting in them having to defend against a series of short-range lineouts, scrums and breakdowns.

But, they showed their determination through their aggressive defence to leave their hosts try-less despite their best efforts.