Rugby Union: Rhyl Dragons come down to earth

Oct 8 2008 by Dave Jones, Denbigh Visitor

RHYL 8 BETHESDA 50

WRU DIVISION TWO NORTH

THE euphoria surrounding Rhyl’s promising start to the league season was brought crashing to earth at Y Waen on Saturday with Bethesda delivering an uncomfortable reality check.

The game was, for the most part, a lot more closely contested than the scoreline would suggest with the hosts leading at the hour mark.

Rhyl started brightly, John Hall kicking a penalty, but some slack defence shortly before the interval allowed Pesda to snatch a try.

The second period opened in much the same fashion as the first and spectators were again treated to a beautifully worked home try early on.

Scrum-half Gaz Morris broke the Bethesda defensive line from the halfway and popped an inside ball out of a tackle to the supporting run of Barry Picton.

He burst clear of would-be tacklers and was able to off-load to Shaks Ngwenya, who had the presence of mind and quickness of hands to fire a short inside pass to the supporting Hall to cross for the try.

A serious facial injury to second row and vice-captain Dave Argles, together with an injury to the controlling influence of Picton, seemed to unsettle the Rhyl side and their lead was short-lived.

Bethesda upped their game and notched seven unanswered tries to claim the honours.

This Saturday Rhyl travel to Bro Ffestiniog.

RHYL 2NDS 44BETHESDA 2NDS 13.

IN a late change to the scheduled league fixture, Geezer Davies’ men entertained Bethesda in a friendly and delivered the scale of result which their performances this season have been threatening.

Fielding a strong blend of youth and experience and playing into a strong wind, Rhyl led 27-5 at half time courtesy of tries from Keith Gains, Davies, Mike Atkinson, Keith Jones and Sion Edwards, plus a Gains conversion.

After the turnaround prop Robbie Clarke, fly-half Mark Prime and scrum-half Paul Roose added further touchdowns, Gains improving one.

Rhyl 2nds travel to Castell Alun (Hope) for a league fixture this Saturday (2.30pm).