Rugby Union: Colwyn Bay pipped by Ruthin

Oct 14 2009

COLWYN BAY 9 RUTHIN 13

WRU Division One North

COLWYN Bay remain rooted to the foot of the Division One North table despite putting in yet another battling performance in a narrow defeat.

Still winless after six matches in the league, the Bay collected their fourth losing bonus point of the campaign after pushing title hopefuls Ruthin all the way at Brookfield Drive.

The bonus point sees the Bay only three points behind second from bottom Denbigh in the race to avoid a play-off match against the top side from Division Two and possible relegation.

And it does not get any easier for Colwyn Bay as they entertain Llangefni on Saturday.

As in previous matches this season Ruthin started well but were not able to capitalise on their strong forward play and it was the home side that had the first chance for points as they sent a penalty wide of the mark early on.

Shortly afterwards the Bay’s No8 was sin-binned and from the resulting penalty fly-half Jamie Morris put Ruthin 3-0 up.

Although spending a lot of time in the Bay’s 22 Ruthin were unable to capitalise on their man advantage and were soon pegged back when Adam Hughes fired over a penalty on the half hour mark.

It was the Bay’s turn to apply pressure and they were awarded a series of penalties in Ruthin’s 22 one of which resulted in second- row Dwayne Speakman being yellow carded.

Finally scrum-half Wil Davies cleared and Ruthin went back on the attack. Flanker John Meldrum, who had a great game, drove over the Bay’s line for a try which centre Adam Robson converted putting Ruthin 10- 3 ahead when the whistle blew for half time.

After the break Ruthin missed the opportunity to go further ahead with a sliced attempt at a penalty goal and it was Hughes who reduced the arrears to 10-9 with two successful penalty goals.

But Ruthin showed their title credentials when more pressure saw two efforts held up over the line, before Robson added a penalty late on to secure a 13-10 win.