Fixture

A young and inexperienced Dinbych side were unable to replicate their promising performance in their previous match against Mold as they suffered a heavy defeat against near neighbours Ruthin in the latest phase of the WRU Shield competition. Whilst there was plenty of effort and commitment by individuals their lack of confidence and cohesion were exposed by their more experienced opponents especially in open play.

Ruthin dominated both territory and possession in the opening ten minutes forcing Dinbych to defend desperately. The hosts opened the scoring in the 13th minute with a converted try from a forward drive following a short range scrum in front of the Dinbych posts. Ruthin increased their lead midway through the half with an unconverted try from a short range line out. The Dinbych pack at this stage were competing fiercely through a good scrummaging display whilst they fought strongly at the breakdown with prop Callum Taylor leading the way tackling strongly in defence and spearheading counter-attacking forward drives. Centre Hari Evans worked tirelessly to win possession whilst fly half Alun Davies relieved pressure with some long range touch finders. Ruthin however were always dangerous in open play capitalising on any lapses in Dinbych’s defensive efforts to add two further unconverted tries from short range to leave them leading by 22 points to nil at the interval.

There was no respite for Dinbych in the second half as Ruthin soon increased their lead when they scored a converted try after a relieving kick was charged down near the Dinbych line. Dinbych were now finding difficulty in halting Ruthin’s attacks with missed tackles proving costly as they conceded another converted try by a solo effort from the outside half. Despite Iwan Johnson injecting some needed energy from the bench Ruthin continued to dominate with Dinbych unable to break out from their own territory. Missed tackles again proved costly as Ruthin ran in an unconverted try from half way. The final converted try came out of the blue from a solo break from a ruck near half way leaving the hosts convincing winners.