Wrexham 21 Rhyl 14.
Rhyl kicked off the new season against old rivals Wrexham, and after a physical and close fought game had to settle for a losing bonus point. Rhyl began the game looking rusty after just the one pre season game and after a needless penalty had given Wrexham good field position, conceded an early score from a driving line out. A similar score followed shortly afterwards and after a penalty gave the home side a 13 point lead the visitors started to come into the game more and more and the rest of the half saw an even affair with solid defensive work from both sides, meaning the first half ended with the home side leading 13 points to nil.
After the break the dragons started to play the kind of expansive rugby that the side is capable of and despite a steady stream of injury's, some surging runs from forwards Cal Morris and Simon Johnson put Rhyl on the homes sides line and led to the awarding of a penalty try after a Wrexham infringement. The rest of the game was a very evenly contested affair with great work from the busy Ian Marshall and powerful runs from backs Jason Blackmore and the dangerous Reeve Wright keeping Rhyl in contention until the final whistle. A further penalty and try for the home side increased the lead, however following clever play from centre Ben Jones, winger Reeve Wright went over in the corner to ensure a tense finish with Rhyl just unable to get an equalising score.
Head coach Seb Vidal will have seen much to encourage him for the season ahead after a committed performance against a team who will certainly be challenging for the Division 2 tile this season.
Rhyls first team fixtures for September and October will all be away as the club nears its eagerly awaited return to the town following completion of the new pitches and Community club on Tynewydd Road.
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