LLANDUDNO advanced to the Welsh Rugby Union Plate second round with an eye-catching 29-18 victory at Ruthin.

The WRU National League Division One North side turned in another polished display on both sides of the ball to emerge victorious and progress to the next stage of the competition, with Goats’ talisman Ryan Pike opening the scoring with a well-struck penalty after just five minutes.

This provoked a strong response from the hosts, who got back on level terms thanks to a free-kick from Dyfan Humphreys moments later, but the away side restored their advantage thanks to a surging drive from prop Lewis Jones resulted in a touch down.

Things got even better for the visitors shortly after when Bob Davies eventually crossed the white wash after some fine individual build-up play from Andy Wynne. Pike despatched the conversion.

Pike was on hand to complete the first half scoring with another superb penalty to give them a comfortable cushion at the interval, but the home side came out after the break with a renewed sense of purpose and dotted over for their first try of the contest courtesy of Jack Wilson.

The home side were now on the front foot, but despite putting together a number of positive phases they found it difficult to penetrate the resolute Goats’ defence, and Ruthin were caught with a telling sucker-punch when Dan O’Sullivan burst clear with a fine individual run to score under the posts. Pike added the extras.

Credit to the hosts, they kept fighting right until the end and were rewarded with a consolation score late on when Josh Wilson rounded off a sweeping team move to cross the line. Humphreys fired over the conversion to complete the scoring.