Fixture

Abergele 20 – 18 Rhuthin 

By Neil Jones Davies 

There was no evidence of a post festive season hangover from either side, although Gele did take some time to get into top gear. Referee Steve Buncombe summed it up well when he said post match, that despite being an uncompromising match, both teams showed a great deal of respect for each other. This was due in no small part to his control durin the match. 

Gele had the better of the early exchanges but the visitors mixed things well with good handling and effective kicking which kept the Gele defence on their toes. The heavy conditions underfoot made it a good battle up front and the stalemate was broken by a superb long range penalty from Owain Davies, the first of two in the first half. Rhuthin crossed the line following a speculative ‘grubber kick’ up the blind side which was collected by the supporting player for a try in the corner. 

The second half continued in the same vein as the first, the Gele eight matching the visitors, this half however, number 10 Chris Edwards used the boot well to ease the home forwards up field. Jack Hughes replaced the ever dependable Jac Gronow on the Gele wing and with his first touch crossed in the corner after good hands from centres Danny Lawrence and Ben Jones, another long range kick from Davies added the extras. Gele looked to build on this lead and hammered away at the Rhuthin line, it was only a matter of time before Anthony Tilley claimed a try, although there were another 3 forwards who could easily have had their names on the score sheet, once again the metronome like boot of Davies converted. 

In true Rhuthin style the visitors kept looking for a score and were rewarded with a penalty which was closely followed by an unconverted try in the corner to get the Gele nerves jangling. Gele finished strongly and thought they’d scored another, but with the referee unsighted the score remained giving the home side reason to celebrate. 

Next week sees a break for Gele 1sts as it’s cup weekend.