RUGBY UNION: Wrexham’s North Wales League Division Two game on Saturday was switched to their Bryn Estyn Road home at the last minute because of a boiler problem at scheduled opponents Rhyl – but it made little difference.

Despite making a bright start, with five youth team players adding much needed pace to their attack, off-form Wrexham crashed to a 40-22 defeat.

Outside-half Roger Chadwick, who added a touch of class behind the scrum on his return from holiday, created the opening try of the match when his chip over the top allowed hooker Joss Stott to score.

Rhyl hit back, however, to storm into a seven-point advantage before Chadwick, who was linking well with scrum-half Kieran Morris, reduced the deficit with a drop goal.

The visitors were lucky to lead at the break but they improved soon after the restart, adding their second converted try of the afternoon.

But back came the hosts, for whom No 8 Mike Jones and prop Ian Sanger played well, as Chadwick converted his own touchdown.

Chadwick also added the extras after flanker Wayne Roberts crossed the whitewash, but Rhyl had restored their superiority by then and they ran away with it in the final quarter.

Wrexham travel to Bethesda on Saturday (2.30pm) expecting no mercy from the side that put champions-elect Bro Ffestiniog to the sword on Saturday. Chadwick is unavailable through work commitments but flanker Kerry Powell, who made a welcome comeback against Rhyl, will be a key inclusion in the back-row.

Wrexham 2nds lost a thrilling Division Four clash at Llangollen on Saturday 30-19.

Trailing by 17 points, Wrexham powered in front through tries from wingers David McHugh and Llion Morris and No 8 Keir Harding, with outside-half Carl Pugh converting two, only for their neighbours to recover to win.

Scrum-half Gavin Brace and Dave Thomas, who played at fullback before being pressed into action in the second-row, impressed for Wrexham.

Joy for vintage veteran

ATHLETICS: Wrexham Athletic Club’s Peter Norman was crowned the M70 champion at the National Duathlon Championships in Olney.

Norman claimed his age class crown after posting 2.39.41hours, a combined time that included a 52.26mins 10k run, a 75.59 40k bike ride and a 29.41 5k dash!

Mike Robbins led Wrexham’s charge at the Air 10k in Crewe. He was the second-fastest M45 in 12th (34.51), while Chris Evans was 66th (39.38), Lisa Morley the fastest F35 in 99th (42.07) and Ray Billington the third-fastest M70 in 289th (60.57).

Morley also won her age class at the Chester Spring Five Mile in 106th (33.13). Adrian Bryan came 55th (30.41), Geoff Richards 93rd (32.42) and Phil Walker 121st (33.40).

Tim Bent past the post in 131st (3.29.54hours) in the Blackpool Marathon.

Neve Evans won the Under 11s girls 75m (11.3secs) at the Trafford Open as well as finishing second in the 150m (24.00) and fourth in the long jump (2.97m).

Neil Edwards tasted senior men’s 110m hurdles and javelin (42.00m) success at the Warrington Open. He was also second in the shot (10.30).

James Roberts won the U17s men’s 800m (2.08.0mins) and 1,500m (4.35.4) while there was gold-medal glory for David Blower in the U15s boys 800m (2.13.4). He was also third in the 1,500m (4.56.4).

Ffion Roberts came second in the U9s girls 600m (2.42.1) and Hannah Browning fourth in the U15s girls long jump with a personal best (4.22m) and fourth in the high jump (1.35).

Louis the Clays king

GOLF: Clays Golf Club stormed to success in the first round of the DGU Competition on their home course.

Louis Gray (61) led from the front, supported by Mike Evans (65), Owen Crawford (68), Mike Platt (72), Matt Lang (72) and Paul McCaffrey (72).

Tom Mara (34) won a close Seniors Individual Stableford on a back nine from Bill Duncan (34), who was runner-up on a back nine from Roger Hudson (34).

The Seniors Kitty Competition Individual Stableford went the way of Ray Martin (38) from Tony Harcombe (37), Colin Brown (35) and Mike Hollings (35).

Clays president Hudson, Lynn Mitchell and Larry Birch (137) easily won the Seniors Yellow Ball from Brian Jones, Andrew Mitchell and Lou Bush (121) in second and Bill Parry, Keith Jones and Hollings (116) in third.