North round-up

Jan 27 2008 by Our Correspondent, Wales On Sunday

RUTHIN went down for the first time this season in division four (North) as Bala won by 10-8, with centre Daniel Davies crossing for a try which was converted by outside half Ynyr Jones, who also kicked a penalty.

There were big wins for Caernarfon and Mold. Leaders Caernarfon ran in 12 tries in their 68-5 home win over Llanidloes, with number 8 Rhys Evans crossing for a hat-trick. Scrum half Tristan Gwilym, second row Mark Vaughan and wing Llion Williams all managed two tries apiece.

Second placed Mold managed 11 tries as they crushed Newtown 69-3, with wing Steve Jones managing three on his league debut. Scrum-half Jamie Griffiths manage two and five conversions while number 8 Chris Lewis added a conversion to his brace of tries.

There was another hat-trick for Llangefni wing William Owen as he helped his side overcome Llandudno by 38-12. The other tries came from wing Iwan Davies, second row Simon Griffiths and full-back Arwel Roberts, who also kicked four conversions. The visitors replied with tries from wing James Gregory and outside half Rhodri Carlton Jones, who also converted.

Third placed Nant Conwy claimed maximum points in their 47-3 home win over Dolgellau with two tries apiece for scrum-half Ifor Jones, full-back Grant Jones and centre Sion Roberts, the other try coming from No.8 Dewi Jones while outside-half Peredur Ellis added six conversions.

Colwyn Bay was the only side to win away from home in the division as they returned home from Dinbych with a 17-7 victory. The tries came from centre Patrick Leach, prop Ollie Platt and outside-half Josh Leach, who also added a conversion.

In division five (North) league leaders Wrexham won by 19-15 at Rhyl, while second placed Pwllheli got maximum points to close the gap at the top of the table to three points with two games in hand, following their 29-3 success at Welshpool with No.8 Richard Hughes scoring two of his sides five tries. Also in division five there were wins for Cobra, 21-0 at Rhayader, and Bethesda, 50-14 at Rhos.