25.09.10 Ruthin 25 Mold 27 John Palmer Reports

Ruthin started strongly in this top of the table clash with unbeaten Mold and after 10 minutes of play Ruthin’s tight organisation and attacking play paid off with a try by centre Lloyd Stradling, converted by Wil Davies. Mold countered with their first real foray into the Blues half but the Blues broke out of Mold’s half with good play by flanker Clwyd Jones and full back Ben Syme and for the next 20 minutes the homes sides aggressive chasing and stifling of any potential Mold attack restricted most of the play to the visitors half. Ruthin were awarded a penalty which Davies slotted over and almost immediately centre Dan Edmonds got one back for the visitors. Just on half time Davies kicked another penalty for the home side and at the break the score was 13-3 to Ruthin. Mold went on to the attack on the restart but after a few minutes their scrum half was sin-binned. From the resulting penalty on the half way line, Ruthin kicked to touch and from the line-out No8 Lee Pope forced his way through the Mold defence and offloaded to wing Kyle Davie who sped over for a try. Again Mold responded and the Blues had to defend well against increasingly powerful forwards play by the visitors. Ruthin went down to 14 men after a player was yellow carded and Mold got a try back. The home side probably thought they had done enough when from another penalty on the half way line good work by fly half Jamie Morris released Kyle Davies to score along the wing. Wil Davies converted putting them 25-10 ahead. However Mold ‘s fitness and pack strength began to tell. They went over for two tries of which one was converted and then with a few minutes to go the visitors pack drove over for their bonus point try. With the visitors ahead for the first time at 27-25 and the clock ticking away Morris attempted a drop goal for the Blues which was charged down and shortly afterwards the whistle blew for full time. The Blues will be disappointed that they only came away with a point after probably their best display of the season but should take heart from improving performances by many players and a good debut performance by Jason Humphreys as replacement prop.