Everyone contributed to a great start to the season

With the season still young the coaches agreed to play 4 qrts to give everyone a game and to be able to mix and match with positions. On a full sized pitch this seems the best way to given the c40 odd players a good run around to get fitness levels up. Ruthin were down a few with injuries and non availability but had a number of very talented players and showed good sportsmanship.

From the kick off Saints made ground and the pre season drills seemed to kick in. Good pick and drive then moving the ball wide demonstrated the boys had the skills but did they have the confidence to take on a strong defence who demonstrated early on that they could turnover ball.

With Alex in storming mood, as Morty, Shaun and George moved the ball wide, our big no8 ran through a gap then took on three players to score a good team try. Having seen Ruthin last year at Mold we frankly didn’t expect to be up but the lads are improving and gaining the ability to take on teams when they apply themselves.

Ruthin were straight back at us and the whole pack discovered how good this outfit were at taking the ball into contact, then recycling the ball fast. Both teams were committing minor errors but rather than have a scrum-fest - advantage saw some decent phases of play develop as both teams took the ball forward in a direct manner. The good run around will do both squads well in the season as fitness becomes as much a tool of the game as skills and possession.

The Ruthin No10 ran the show for the last part of the 1st session as was the pick of a number of standout Ruthin players. He setup 2 great tries, with some classy welsh-style back play that Im sure will see them well for the future.

The next two sessions blurred into one. Ruthin started very strong and with a number of new Saints recruits now on the pitch showed they knew how to build the game from deep and then move wide to score some good tries. The Saints coaches were very impressed with the new lads many of whom were just in their first game. They did the basics well and never took a step back which was impressive. Ruthin moved some players around and tried out some people in new positions which made for a good game, although the Ruthin guys were the stronger outfit.

During the next session and after the talented Ruthin 8 had to leave the pitch with a broken arm, the Saints gained the upper hand. With confidence on their side, they moved the ball well with good work from Matty and Alex in knocking players over and turning the ball over. We woke up to the fact the pitch is now very wide and played expansively. Where Ruthin had gone early in the game we followed suit with a couple of well taken tries out wide. This was one of out coaching aims this season and we will continue to work on this game format...atleast until the rain comes then we will adapt!

The final session saw a quiet Ruthin team having to deal with a rampaging Saints squad. Our spirits were up and after the injury Ruthin were not the team they had been. Three tries were scored with good fwds and backs play. With the game now getting scrappy and Ruthin fighting back into the game time was up and the training sessions over.

Many thanks to Iwan and his coaches and parents for travelling over to us. Good team and nice lads on the pitch, Im sure they will go far in their "Cup" and festival comps this season and we look forward to their hospitality later next year when we come down to them.