26.09.09 Ruthin 17 Denbigh 12
Old foes Ruthin and Denbigh have had difficult starts to the season and both would be hoping for a win in this match at Caeddol. In the first 20 minutes neither side gained ascendancy and there was a degree of franticness on the Ruthin side leading to handling errors and conceding a number of penalties when in good attacking positions. Ruthin centre Ben Syme was sin-binned and Denbigh immediately put pressure on the Ruthin defence leading to a series of penalties in the Ruthin half of which outside half Llion Edwards kicked two goals putting Denbigh 6-0 ahead. Ruthin immediately responded with their best period of play of the match led by skipper Joe Palmer. Twice the ball was carried over the Denbigh try line but was judged to have been held up and from the last of the resultant scrums hooker Gary Teeson drove over for Ruthins first try converted by fly half Adam Robson. Ruthin kept up the pressure and after winning a penalty 5 yds out from the Denbigh line Teeson drove over his and Ruthins second try from the resultant lineout. The try was converted by full back Jamie Morris and the whistle blew for half time with Ruthin 14-6 ahead. The second half reverted to the dour struggle seen at the beginning of the match and with Ruthin still conceding penalties Denbigh began to erode the Ruthin advantage. After 75 minutes Edwards had scored a further two penalty goals for Denbigh putting them just two points behind Ruthin. Ruthin again responded and drove over the Denbigh line only for the ball to have been again judged to have been held up. Ruthin were awarded a penalty due to an infringement in the scrum and Robsons penalty goal was the final move of the match which ended 17-12 to Ruthin. Denbigh picked up a deserved losers bonus point. Ruthin will be pleased to have secured their second win of the season albeit perhaps with the feeling that with a bit more composure they could have won more convincingly.
