Rugby Union: Llandudno back to winning ways

Apr 7 2011

LLANDUDNO bounced back to winning ways with a 14-12 victory over Ruthin, and will now head into this Saturday’s clash at Maesdu Road against Bro Ffestiniog with renewed confidence.

Recent setbacks have seen Tudno slip to fifth in the Division One North table, while a defeat at home to Ruthin would have meant the Cae Ddol outfit leapfrogged the Seasiders.

And the Maesdu men needed all their mettle to hold out in the final few minutes against an onslaught from the Blues.

Bobby Davies opened the scoring for the home side when from a line-out the ball was driven forward and the back-row forced his way over from close range, with scrum-half Tom Hocknell adding the extras with a long range conversion.

Ruthin, who are just below Tudno in the league, were a side that always looked dangerous with the ball in hand, and it was their veteran scrum-half Rhys Hughes who touched down from a rolling maul shortly afterwards.

The visitors enjoyed the better of the remainder of the half and were rewarded just before half time with a try by centre Mark Lloyd which was converted by Ben Syme.

The second half saw both teams guilty of making unforced handling errors and passing up a host of gilt-edged chances.

Chasing a five-point deficit Tudno upped their pace and starting from the halfway line scored what turned out to be the match-winning try as forwards and backs combined to send back-row Lewis Griffith over, with Hocknell sending over the crucial extras to ensure the victory.

Man-of-the-match award went to prop Craig Salisbury, and the match sponsor was Frank Ennis.

Llandudno seconds travelled up to Wrexham with only 14 players, but despite that still played some excellent rugby in parts.

The first half saw Tudno put under pressure with good hands by the hosts, while the visitors first up tackling was not up to standard and allowed the Bryn Estyn Lane side to run up a 33-5 lead at the interval.

The second half saw Llan getting their act together and making good ground running through Wrexham’s defence, scoring 19 points with three tries and two conversions scored, while Wrexham could only get through for one more try.

Chris Morgan, man-of-the-match Alex Owen, Mark Evans and Bobby Borland all crossed for tries in the loss, with Morgan adding two conversions.