BALA 22

RUTHIN 11

AN injury-ravaged Ruthin side shorn of several of their stars travelled to a resurgent Bala, who had won their previous two games.

It started on a bleak grey and drizzly afternoon with the wind whipping down the lake and it finished even more bleakly for the visitors after perhaps their least convincing performance of the season.

Ruthin kicked off and they soon threatened the Bala line, only to lose the ball forward just short of the whitewash.

Thereafter, Ruthin managed to put Bala under prolonged pressure and Jack Wilson eventually touched down in a mass of forwards for the first score of the game.

The home side had a newly arrived outside half who had recently flown in from Argentina and he kept Ruthin in Bala territory with a sequence of errors.

Although, as the game progressed, his game improved markedly and his confidence increased.

Following the kick-off that did not go the required 10 metres, a Bala lock was red carded and Nathan Jones kicked the resultant penalty.

Ruthin’s were soon reduced to 14 men as a yellow card was flourished for a high tackle and it was Bala’s turn to exert pressure, which eventually paid off with a try by Miall Roberts.

This was duly converted by Luis Prado.

A penalty awarded near the Ruthin line allowed him the opportunity to kick another three points and the half finished with Bala leading 10-8.

The second half began with a penalty kicked by Nathan Jones to edge Ruthin back into the lead.

However, Bala then responded to put Ruthin under pressure in their 22.

This eventually resulted in a yellow card for repeated technical offences for Arwyn Davies, who otherwise had a storming game for the Blues.

Miall Roberts scored another try from the resulting line-out to put Bala back into the box seat.

Despite their extra man advantage for most of the game, Ruthin were unable to make further progress due to a catalogue of poor decision-making moments and handling errors.

It was effectively game over when Bala scored again.

This time it was David Yates who touched down and this score was converted by number 10 Prado.

Despite a late surge, Ruthin were unable to reduce the deficit and they were unable to even pick up a losing bonus point for their efforts.