Rugby round-up: Contrasting fortunes for Nant Conwy and Colwyn Bay

The defending champions look primed to go close to retaining their title after a dominant opening to the campaign, but they fell behind early on when Dewi Atherton dotted over for the home side after just three minutes of play. Rhydian Jones added the extras.

This provoked a strong response from the visitors, who got back on level terms soon after when Sion Pringle crossed over for a try that was converted by Steffan Horan, and the same player was on hand to put Nant ahead for the first time in the contest with a pair of penalties on 30 and 37 minutes shortly before the interval.

There was still time for the away side to extend their advantage in the final stages of the first period, and it was Pringle who crossed the white wash for his second of the afternoon for an unconverted score.

After the break saw Nant improve their tally thanks to a well-worked try from Guto Dafydd, but the hosts kept plugging away and were rewarded on 63 minutes when Atherton secured his brace with another bursting run. Jones fired over the extras.

That was as good as it got for the home side, who were unable to contain the formidable Nant attack late on as Horan and Caron Davies both went over to complete the rout.

There was no such luck for Rachel Taylor’s Colwyn Bay, who put in a valiant effort in their first home Division Two North clash of the season before eventually falling to a 24-12 reverse at the hands of Wrexham.