Fixture

Ruthin 2nds and Holyhead met for the first game of 2022 on Saturday and played out an absolute classic at Cae Ddol. At a time when the welsh club game is struggling, the two sides put on a show of physicality, running rugby and passion that did Div 3 North proud. 

 

Knowing that the game was going to be a key factor in the title race come the end of the season Ruthin were keen to get off to a good start. The initial scrums set the tone with the trio of Lee Evans, Dillon Edwards and Rich Sullivan putting down markers for the next 80 mins. Ruthin’s opening score came from an inch perfect kick from outside half Jordan Oldbury who threaded the ball through the Holyhead defence to allow Huw Parry to score in the corner. 5-0. 

 

Holyhead came flying back into the game with wave after wave of attack. A score in the corner brought the game level before a well worked try by the Holyhead backs put them into the lead 5-10. Ruthin were rattled but weren’t going to be down for long. A lovely blindside move released Marcus Dyer to calmly exploit the 2 on 1 to set winger Jack Cooledge free who galloped like a gazelle over the line. The game was set up perfectly with the scores locked at 10-10 at the half. 

 

Manager Pedr Jones made a few changes at half time to freshen things up including the welcome return of scrum half Cai Edwards after a long lay off. The next score was going to be key and it was the blues who got it, Centre Ynyr Roberts charging down a clearance before collecting and scoring under the posts. Deian Williams couldn’t miss the conversion and it was 17-10 to the blues. 

 

As expected Holyhead came straight back with relentless pressure on the blues line. The defence finally gave way with Holyhead crashing over in the corner. 17-15. Ruthin had to dig deep again, but of course they were up to the task. The front row trio who were still going strong, worked the blues upto the 22 before scrum half Edwards put winger Liam Rickard in the corner. With the toughest kick of the day outside half Deian Williams slotted from the sideline to give the blues a 24-15 lead. 

 

Tensions started to boil over, a vicious attack on blue flanker Tudur Parry and the resulting melee resulted in a red card for both sides. With Holyhead camped on the Ruthin line things were becoming more and more frantic but man of the match Sam Morgan was putting in a great display in defence. Holyhead finally got their bonus point try with two minutes to go, incredibly scoring with 15 men on the pitch despite having had received a red card! 24-22 and a nervous few minutes for the blues. Thankfully Ruthin were awarded a penalty and Williams knocked the kick over from near half way and the game finished 27-22. A great spectacle for the limited fans able to attend and a credit to both sides for such an entertaining show 

 

Next week Ruthin 2nds are at Wrexham 2nds