Fixture

Ruthin took the honours in this Division 1 North derby but the final margin did not do justice to Dinbych’s commitment and competitiveness for much of the match.

Dinbych started well as they dominated possession in the opening minutes going through numerous phases of play but failing to breach a solid Ruthin defence. Ruthin eventually got into the match with Dinbych now having to defend desperately as Ruthin pressed strongly close to the home line. Dinbych then opened the scoring midway through the first half following a number of individual drives by the forwards deep into the 22 leading to flanker Dafydd Evans going over for a try under the posts converted by outside half Gruff Roberts. Ruthin soon responded with a period of heavy pressure with the forwards driving close to the Dinbych line near the right hand corner. When possession was recycled infield full back Iestyn Davies was able to wrongfoot the Dinbych defence to cross for a try converted by centre Nathan Jones which levelled the scores.

The visitors then changed the course of the game by scoring two tries in a ten minute period just before the interval, the first by left wing Bryn Shepherd who finished off a move initiated by opposite wing Josh Wilson who counterattacked by cutting infield from a relieving kick near half way. The try was unconverted but Ruthin were soon on the attack again to set up their third try in first half injury time after they kicked a penalty into touch near the right hand corner. Despite strong Dinbych defence they were unable to halt the driving maul from the close range line out with hooker Liam Davies touching down for a try converted by Nathan Jones.

Leading by 19 points to 7 at the interval Ruthin went further ahead in the 6th minute of the second half with a try at the posts by prop Jack Wilson again converted by Nathan Jones. Ruthin were now gaining the lion’s share of both territory and possession despite Dinbych competing fiercely in all phases of play. This resulted in no further scores until just before the final whistle when Ruthin were again pressing strongly near the Dinbych line in the left hand corner. From a scrum near the touchline the ball was moved infield with full back Iestyn Davies going over for his second try near the posts with Nathan Jones adding the conversion points.