LLANDUDNO all-but ended the title hopes of reigning WRU National League Division One North champions Nant Conwy with a 13-8 derby win on their travels.

The Goats extended their 100 per cent league record to remain on the summit at the expense of their title rivals, and they received more good news as Pwllheli suffered their first defeat of the campaign at Ruthin.

This leaves Dudno six points ahead of Pwll’ having played a game more, with Ruthin also six back having played 16 fixtures to Llandudno’s 13.

Despite the eventual result it was the home side who adjusted better to the difficult conditions and they went ahead early on thanks to a brilliant individual run and touch down from Steffan Horan on five minutes.

Things took another concerning turn for the Goats when second row Dylan Coulter was shown a yellow card on 28 minutes, but their rearguard managed to hold firm in the face of some consistent pressure on their try-line to end the half.

After the break saw Nant further extend their advantage through a well-struck penalty from Horan in the opening exchanges, but the introduction of coach Kelvin Davies into the line-up seemed to galvanise the visitors’ considerably from then on.

Their task was aided thanks to a sin bin visit for Carwyn Coch, and the away side piled on the pressure which resulted in referee Dylan Llyr awarding a penalty try.

Former Nant talisman Arthur Lennon was the target of considerable verbal abuse from some sections of the home support after his controversial move, and he silenced the doubters with two superb penalties that proved to be the difference between the two sides.