Division One North: Colwyn Bay 8 Nant Conwy 11

By Rob Griffiths, Daily Post

NANT Conwy edged even further ahead at the top of the Division One North table as they kept up their unbeaten start to the season with a hard fought 11-8 win at Colwyn Bay.

While defending champions and second placed Caernarfon slipped up at home to fellow challengers Ruthin, Nant stood up to the physical onslaught from the Bay to secure the win and enhance their title credentials.

Assistant coach Mark Jones said: “It was a bit of a stop-start affair really, and there wasn’t much to the game. It was a really tough physical encounter and their rush defence was up on us very quickly and didn’t allow us much space.

“They (Colwyn Bay) were really up for the match, which you’d expect with them being at home and they made us work really hard for it in the end.”

Carwyn ap Merddyn scored his side’s try, and full-back Owain Jones slotted over two penalties, while Steve Thatcher went over for a try for the home side and fly-half Ashley James added a penalty.

Jones added: “It was a tough match, but fair play the boys stood up and had to be counted and one of the most pleasing things, is that they showed they can battle it out and fight for a win.

“It wasn’t a great game, but we worked hard and at the end of the day it is another win, which is all that matters.”

Colwyn Bay coach Mark Earl was yet again disappointed at another loss, but admits he could not have asked for any more from his side against the league leaders.

“We are really struggling at the moment with injuries and we are quite short on numbers anyway,” he said. “But I was really pleased with the boys after the Nant game. Going into the game Nant are unbeaten, they’re on a really good run and have been putting a lot of points on teams, good teams as well, I mean the likes of Mold.

“And I think we were well in the game right to the final whistle, and again we’ve been beaten by just the one score.

“There’s not much I can really say to the players, we’re playing okay but we just maybe don’t seem to be getting the luck. But it’s a long season and hopefully it will level itself out. But I was really pleased with the way they played, they gave everything they had.”