Fixture

With a pitch just marginally playable, drizzling rain from the start and two teams that had been pretty much evenly matched in their two previous encounters this season, this match was going to be a gruelling affair.  Despite the conditions both teams were determined to play good rugby and for the first 15 minutes or so it was the visitors who dominated and Ruthin, playing in their pink kit, had to defend well to prevent a try being scored.  After 10 minutes Dolgellau went ahead with a penalty goal from Gerwyn Thomas.  Eventually the home side broke out of their half and with strong running from their backs began to pressure the visitors.  Unfortunately flanker Tudur Parry had to be carried off with a suspected broken ankle but Ruthin continued their pressure and evened the score with a penalty goal from Deian Lloyd Williams.  The home side continued to try and break through Dolgellau’s solid defence for the rest of the half but were unable to get over the line and had to be content with a second penalty goal from Lloyd Williams on half time.  Although Ruthin had had the best of the latter part of the first half it was the visitors who started the strongest in the second half and within 5 minutes Dylan Evans was over the Ruthin whitewash with a try.  A second was judged to have been held up a few minutes later and Ruthin were relieved to break back into the visitors half.  After a penalty goal attempt went wide, replacement Shay Owen slotted over Ruthin’s third to put them back in the lead 9-8.  In ever worsening conditions the last 5 minutes were nerve-wracking for Ruthin as Dolgellau tried regain the lead.  Two penalty goal attempts failed and play migrated to the centre of the field where Ruthin gained possession and the ball was kicked into touch after 80 minutes was up with the home side having the narrowest of wins at 9-8.  Ruthin 2nds and Youth teams also won with 27-3 against Dolgellau and 31-0 against Rhyl respectively