Steel went into the game knowing a win would return them to the summit with Rhos not having a fixture – and a four-try bonus point win did that and maintained Shotton’s 100% league record.

Early in the season Steel won by a point in the Swalec bowl at Harlech, with the home side edging this fixture last term so all fingers pointed to another close encounter and it was the visitors that got off to the dream start.

A strong early scrum from Steel put the home side on the back foot and good quick ball from the forwards enabled play to spread out wide where Adam Lynskey chipped ahead for full-back Karl Rusowicz to finish well, fly-half Steve Ellson converting.
The sides then swapped penalties before Steel struck again.

Off the top lineout ball saw the play again spread out wide with Rusowicz again involved, this time releasing Alex Thomas who ran to touch down in the corner.

Harlech enjoyed good possession and territory in the first period, playing the pick and go well and working the fringes to make yards.

And it was phase after phase of short bursts that saw them reduce the arrears with a try as half time approached.

The early part of the second half was a tight affair with both sides knowing the next score would be crucial.  

Steel were securing good ball at the set piece but Harlech were competing on the floor well.

A moment of magic from Daniel Lynskey then saw the game swing in Shotton’s favour.

Lynskey, playing in the back row, found some space around halfway before outpacing the Harlech defence to cross.

Soon after, he grabbed his second try, and Shotton’s fourth, to secure a bonus point.

Steel put good pressure on the home side deep in their own half and forced the turnover which allowed the ball to be moved out wide with Lynskey the man to finish.

Harlech refused to give up the ghost, however, and went on to enjoy some late territory and possession of their own.

Again after good work from the forwards around the fringes, Harlech thought they had a lifeline only to be called back for a forward pass.

They did cross soon after however, but Steel were able to see the game out with Ellson slotting his third penalty with the last kick of the day.

Shotton captain Mark Higgins said: “We have had two very tough games here in the past 12 months and this was no exception. It was a hard, physical encounter but I thought we took our chances well when they appeared. Up front I thought we performed well, especially in the scrum, and we know our back are capable of causing real problems.

“I thought Harlech attacked the fringes really well but we restricted them to only a few looks at our line.

“We are obviously delighted to be back on top of the table but are very much taking things one game at a time – there is still a long way to go,” he added.