| This was the first game that Ruthin had played against Pwllheli since they returned to Division 1 North. Previous meetings were always keenly contested affairs and this match was to prove no exception. Ruthin started uncertainly and with Pwllheli scrummaging well conceded a couple of penalties in the first 15 minutes giving Pwllheli an early 6-0 lead. Although Ruthin were making occasional forays into the Pwllheli half, infringements were costing them dear. From a penalty on the Pwllheli 10 yard line a great kick to touch led to some excellent Pwllheli phase play which Ruthins defence was unable to contain and centre Gareth Wright went over for a try. After the restart there was a spate of kicking up and down the pitch from both sides. Ruthin Centre Gethin Hughes picked up the ball from one of these kicks and wove his way into the Pwllheli half before the ball went into touch on the Pwllheli 22. Ruthin were judged to have infringed again after the lineout and the penalty kick again put Ruthin under pressure resulting in Pwllhelis second try, this time converted, putting Pwllheli 18-0 up after only 25 minutes. This score seemed to jolt Ruthin into attack and the remaining 15 minutes saw them putting pressure on the Pwlllheli line with improved scrummaging and generally tighter play resulting in a great try by winger Huw Parry just before half time. Thirteen points adrift Ruthin started the second half with some aggression and within 2 minutes No 8 Lee Pope collected the ball from a Ruthin scrum on the Pwllheli 22 and forced himself over the Pwllheli line between the posts. Scrum Half Will Davies converted, reducing the arrears to 18-12. Ruthins pressure continued and with solid lineouts and scrums and good forward play it was not long before Ruthin scored again with prop Gary Teeson touching down after a drive over the line from a line out. Will Davies converted and Ruthin were ahead for the first time in the match at 19-18. Pwllheli came back strongly and it was only desperate Ruthin defence which kept them out. Pwllheli missed an attempted drop goal and two penalty goal attempts but with the game moving from end to end and Ruthin going off the boil a bit it was not long before the Pwllheli pressure led to a further score. A penalty kick across field found the Pwllheli winger who avoided a couple of Ruthin tackles to score a good try which was duly converted putting Pwllheli back in front at 25-19. With five minutes to go Gethin Hughes and replacements Jon Evans and Dwayne Speakman combined to feed hooker John Meldrum to go over for a bonus point try. With almost the last kick of the match Will Davies converted putting Ruthin 26-25 ahead and securing the bonus point win they needed to keep in touch with the title race. |
