Gogledd Cymru 21 VVA Monino 76

A feast of rugby was enjoyed last night at Parc Erias when Gogledd Cymru hosted Russian club champions VVA Monino. The match was only confirmed onThursday 2nd April when Steve Diamond former Sale and Saracens coach asked his previous clubs and Worcester to suggest a fixture at short notice. Both had no reservations in recommending Gogledd Cymru. WRU permission was given on Monday and Rygbi Gogledd Cymru's management team and Conwy Council are to be congratulated on staging such a prestigious game at short notice. Monino are Russia’s premier Club boasting the majority of the Russian national team .Russia are ranked 16th in IRB ratings ahead of Japan and Rumania.

The bright spring evening commenced with the national anthems. The Russian visitors sang with passion bringing echoes of their famous anthem heard on the victory podium of past Olympic games.

They took their passion onto the field of play and after weathering the home side's enthuastic start they came to the fore with sublime rugby skills and power. At the end of the first quarter they had scored three well worked tries which brought the appreciative crowd to their feet. The home side to their credit stuck to their task and against the run of play scored two breakaway tries through Rhodri Carlton Jones and wing Richie Hopkins both converted by Jones.

The Russian visitors then moved up a gear and scored further tries to make the halftime score 49-14 in their favour.

After the interval they carried on in the same vein with fast open rugby which provided great entertainment to the appreciative crowd. Their outstanding half backs orchestrated scintillating moves. At times the Gogledd Cymru boys were struggling to keep up the pace. Although outgunned, in their usual dogged fashion, they persevered and after going through good phases of play they scored a converted try through their impressive centre Jack Moorhouse.

In the last quarter the Russian visitors ran in further tries to make the final score 76-21.The match was excellently refereed by local official Kevin O’Mara who made himself understood despite the language barrier.

Kenton Morgan the GC manager said, “We are showing that we are capable of welcoming high quality teams to North Wales . Our results to date may seem disappointing but it is part of a process. Much of our efforts so far have been on improving skills and offering local players and supporters the opportunity to experience high quality rugby. Tonight was a good example of this”