Fixture

Ruthin put up a creditable performance against Division One West Central leaders Aberavon Quins in the 2^nd round of the WRU Plate at Cae Ddol on Saturday.  The first chance went to Ruthin with a penalty goal attempt but it went wide and it was the visitors who scored first after running the ball from a penalty in the Blues 22.  Ruthin responded and after 15 minutes or so of pressure and good build up wing Mike Evans went over the visitor’s try line with centre Nathan Jones converting to bring the scores level at 7-7.  Almost immediately Aberavon went ahead again with a penalty goal.  In the last few minutes of the first half the Blues mounted a concerted attach and were rewarded with a try from wing Jack Higgins which Jones converted putting the home side 14-10 ahead at the break.  The Blues lead wasn’t to last long however as an Aberavon player intercepted a ball from kick off and nipped over the try line under the posts.  The Blues spent most of the second half defending against a competent Aberavon attack but it wasn’t until the 71^st minute that the pressure paid off and they pushed over the line from a scrum.  Within minutes the visitors were over the Blues try line again - after collecting a high ball on half way line Aberavon’s wing ran along the wing and scored.  The Blues mounted a counter attack but it was too late and the visitors came away with a 27-14 win.  Aberavon’s try scorers were Conor O’Callaghan, Nathan Flynn, Ryan Pugh and Tom James with Marc Shepherd kicking 2 conversions and a penalty.