RUTHIN 7

PWLLHELI 0

SATURDAY certainly wasn't a day to be spreading the ball wide at Cae Ddol!

With tricky playing conditions because of a strong gusty wind and two evenly matched sides with strong defences, a high scoring match was unlikely in the Division One (North) contest between Ruthin and Pwllheli.

When the final whistle blew, just a converted try separated the two high-flying teams.

Pwllheli had the chance for an early score with a penalty goal attempt from the halfway line, but the effort missed its mark.

Both sides were playing open rugby with quick ball and good running, but defences were in the ascendancy and for the first half-an-hour the game oscillated between the two 22s with no score.

Then, wing Josh Wilson started a great piece of play in his own half.

He offloaded to fly half Phyl Roberts, who in turn released number eight Arwyn Davies for a fine try, which was converted by full back Dyfan Humphreys.

The Blues kept up the pressure after this, but the visitors’ defence held and then it was Pwllheli’s turn to challenge in the opposition 22.

However, the whistle blew for half-time with no further score and Ruthin maintained their grasp on a 7-0 lead.

The Blues started strongly in the second half, but again they couldn’t get past the Pwllheli defence.

At times, the game was confined to a midfield defensive battle which was released by kicks upfield as the teams attempted to deal with the playing conditions.

On balance, it was Ruthin who had a bit more of the possession and territory in the second half, but it was all to no avail and the final whistle blew with the score still at 7-0 to the Blues.

After the match, wing Josh Wilson was awarded his 100th first team game tie for the club.

He has played 106 games for Ruthin, scoring an amazing 109 tries in the process.