Rhyl Snatch Second Welsh Premier League Crown

The record books of the Welsh Premier League will have welcomed the admirable exploits of Rhyl FC after their season of domineering the nation’s state of play ended in ecstasy by attaining the championship.

Never before has such a feast of goalscoring riches, superior points mark and comfortable haul of victories been witnessed in the division as Rhyl FC won the title for only their second occasion in their history with an everlasting 3-1 success over former champions The New Saints. The championship was bound Northwards of Wales as early as Friday evening where closest-challengers and reigning victors Llanelli could only draw 1-1 against Aberystwyth.

The New Saints opened the lead through Alex Darlington on 13 minutes but Rhyl, catalysed by their season-long confidence and new-found status, verified that their achievement was not simply the act of a stroke of luck by staging a memorable comeback against an opposition who were domestic idols themselves not so long ago. Within the short matter of 34 minutes of match play, Rhyl were presented with all three points after Marc Connelly took complete advantage of a defensive lapse, with Neil Roberts grabbing the equaliser shortly beforehand.

Rhyl managing director Dave Milner told UEFA.com 'We have invested in better players and this is the result. Allan [Bickerstaff, the club manager] has changed our training methods and as a result fitness levels have improved and we have suffered few injuries. It's the culmination of a great year's effort by everyone at the club and it is great we have done it in such style and by such a convincing margin."

Unbeaten since 12th December, overwhelmed only twice in 33 league encounters and fuelled with the impressive firepower which has seen them net almost three goals per game, Rhyl have truly deserved their sensational success and their doorway into Europe’s elite for only their second stint in the UEFA Champions League.

In the league standings, Rhyl’s latest win secured the trophy on 87 points while Llanelli are further behind lying in second with 77 points and The New Saints complete the podium-roster with 68. Caersws were convicted to relegation after falling to defeat to Newi Cefn Druids, guaranteeing Porthmadog’s survival in the top-tier for another season.