RHYL and District’s nine-game unbeaten run came to an end after they fell to a narrow 17-10 reverse at the hands of COBRA.

The Dragons went to-toe with the WRU National League Division Two North leaders in front of a big crowd at their new Ty Newydd Fields base, and this was the first reverse Seb Vidal’s men have suffered since moving to the site.

Things did not begin well for the home side as a defensive error allowed the pacesetters to score a converted try under the posts, but their rearguard held firm during the remainder of the opening exchanges despite being put under significant pressure with the wind against them.

Gradually the Dragons began to see more of the ball, and they rewarded for their improved ability to build phases when in-form winger Reeve Wright demonstrated his trademark pace to go over.

Richie Williams narrowly missed the conversion attempt, and the visitors extended their lead with a penalty shortly before the half-time whistle to give them a five-point cushion at the break.

After the interval saw the hosts pile on the pressure early on, but they were finding it difficult to penetrate the fierce COBRA resistance until Wright produced another moment of magic with a sensational individual score to double his tally for the afternoon. Williams again missed the extras to keep the scores level.

Just as the game appeared to be heading for a draw, the away side got their noses in front with their second score of the game late on, and despite a strong surge in the dying moments it was not enough for the Dragons to peg them back.

Club representative Brian Hill, said: “The young Rhyl side gave their all in this game, which must rate as one of the performances of the season.”