RHYL and District’s Specsavers National League Division Two North title hopes were dealt a blow as they fell to a 14-12 home reverse against Mold.

The Dragons’ fell to a rare loss at Tynewydd Fields in front of a bumper crowd despite the dismal conditions, leaving Jimmy Waring’s men looking nervously over their shoulders with Saturday’s opponents and Wrexham close behind in the chase for the crown.

It was the only game to survive the weather in all three North Wales leagues, and the hosts were put on the back foot during the opening exchanges playing against the wind.

They managed to repel a serious of impressive attacking moves from the visitors, but they finally relented midway through the half when Mold penetrated the Dragons’ rear-guard for a converted try to break the deadlock.

This provoked a strong response from the home side, who upped the tempo in the closing stages of the first period that presented an opportunity to full-back Tom Jones, who made no mistake to touch down under the posts. Richie Williams despatched the conversion attempt to tie things up at the interval.

After the break saw poor discipline and decision-making halt the home side’s momentum with conditions in their favour, and they were made to pay for their disappointing start to the second half when the visitors crossed the white wash for a converted score to put them back in the ascendancy.

The hosts regrouped and got themselves back into the contest with another well-worked try late on, but Williams was unable to add the extras leaving Waring’s men to settle for a bonus point loss against their title rivals.

The Dragons’ still have destiny in their own hands in terms of securing promotion to Division One North, and they have the perfect chance to get back to winning ways on February 29 against struggling basement dwellers Llanidloes.