Rugby union: Mold begin to show survival instinct with win over Ruthin

Jan 19 2012 by Alec Doyle, Flintshire Chronicle

DEFIANTLY refusing to be counted out of the survival race in Swalec League Division One North, Mold scored a 20-15 win over Ruthin on Saturday.

Mold head coach Les Byrne said: “Despite last week’s loss at Llandudno, we have shown that our season isn’t over yet and we shouldn’t be written off.

“Whereas there perhaps was a time when we would go down narrowly through our own unforced errors, these have by and large been eliminated through the intensive work that backs coach Brian Johnson and myself have been doing in training.”

The victory was Mold’s third of the league campaign and lifted them further away from bottom club Llandudno. It was also Mold’s third win this season over Ruthin, after beating them in the league and Swalec Plate.

Mold took an early lead when captain Steve Quinton broke through the line, and after being tackled, offloaded to the supporting Vinny Hughes to cross, with Quinton adding the extras.

Ruthin came back at Mold but it was the home side who went further ahead as scrum-half Jamie Winning took an interception and put in Scott Ferguson to score under the posts, Quinton again on target with the extras.

Ruthin looked dangerous, however, and were rewarded with a try of their own after a quick tap penalty allowed scrum-half Rhys Hughes to dive over.

The visitors added a second through winger Huw Sharples, fly-half Wil Davies converting before kicking a penalty to put them into the lead.

But Byrne’s men hit back though a brace of penalties from Quinton and despite a late surge from Ruthin, Mold held on.

“Our backs and forwards put in some big hits. I am becoming more and more comfortable we are concentrating on the right areas,” said Byrne.

Mold go to Llangefni on Saturday.