COLWYN Bay were unable to secure derby day bragging rights as they fell to a narrow 14-10 home loss at the hands of Rhyl and District.

Due to a number of senior figures unavailable due to absence or injury, Rachel Taylor’s side had to opt for uncontested scrums leaving them with a numerical advantage for the entirety of the contest under new regulations from the Welsh Rugby Union.

This did not deter the visitors from producing a hugely impressive defensive stand in the opening exchanges, and they gradually kept the scoreboard ticking over thanks to three well-struck penalties from the boot of Richie Williams.

A yellow card for the away side saw them reduced to 13 men which ensured Bay’s pressure finally paid off with an unconverted try to make it a four-point game at the break.

After the interval saw the Dragons go on the front foot again which resulted in a superb score from Damion Price, who found the smallest of gaps to burst over for a touch down.

The hosts responded well to the latest setback and controlled the phases for the majority of the second period, but despite coming within inches of the try line on a host of occasions, the Rhyl rearguard held firm led by the outstanding Simon Johnston and Neil Hodgkinson to restrict them to just one further score in a pulsating derby clash between the WRU National League Division Two North rivals.