AFTER the huge frustration of their Swalec Plate quarter-final defeat to Abercarn a fortnight ago, Pwllheli showed great character to bounce back with a convincing 33-3 home win over Bro Ffestiniog.

The squad also had to overcome player unavailability, owing to lambing commitments, but the Club was pleased to see the welcome return of Nicholas Butterworth and Caron Jones from New Zealand.

Given the consistent heavy rain there was some doubt as to whether the match would go ahead, but as there was no surface water the green light was given.

The Llyn side started strongly and within two minutes number eight Tom Parry had crossed the whitewash to score his team’s first try, with the accurate boot of Osian Parry Jones adding the extras.

Pwllheli refused to let the visitors settle and seven minutes in their pressure told as Tom Parry again crashed over, and Parry Jones’ kick took the score up to 14-0.

Any thoughts that this would be a walk in the park soon disappeared, however, as determined Bro Ffestiniog countered using their powerful pack to make inroads, before releasing their solid back line.

The home defence held as both teams slogged it out, and the condition of the pitch rapidly deteriorated. On 21 minutes Bro were rewarded with a penalty, neatly taken by Bro winger Arron Aspden.

Pwllheli dug deep and with scrum half Butterworth sniping at the fringes of the set pieces, and in the rucks and mauls, Bro struggled to maintain their momentum.

As the half developed Pwllheli had the edge, and their efforts saw Tom Parry score his hat-trick of tries after 29 minutes, after a period of concerted forward play, with Parry Jones’ kick successful.

With both sides giving no quarter, heavy tackles became the norm and there were several stoppages for injuries.

As the clock moved into first half injury time, Pwllheli launched one final attack.

Close interplay by Pwllheli’s backs took the ball into Bro’s 22, and the pack then took over and ground out the yards to enable Pwllheli to squeeze in at the corner.

Amazingly it was Tom Parry once again who scored his team’s fourth try. The conversion missed, and the half-time whistle went with the home team leading by 26-3.

The second half was a dour affair, but there was no lack of endeavour or commitment as the elements took their toll.

The heavy ground made fluent rugby difficult, but both sides never gave up.

Each side used their subs to up the pace, but the teams cancelled each other out.

Territorially Pwllheli had the advantage, and this told 21 minutes in when the power and strength of Kalim Kelemete pierced Bro’s defence for a try. The conversion was slotted by Nick Butterworth.

There was no further scoring and the teams, now indistinguishable from each other, trudged off for a deserved shower.

Number eight Tom Parry will have enjoyed his four tries, particularly so as his most fierce adversary of the afternoon was brother Huw, a long term Bro player.

Pwllheli have a tough away fixture on Saturday as they take on resurgent Ruthin, and following the Nant Conwy 16-15 defeat at Caernarfon both Ruthin and Pwllheli have a great deal to play for.

The team coach leaves the Club at 11am Saturday. Any supporters wanting to travel are asked to let the Club know.

• BALA meanwhile breezed to an emphatic 88-0 triumph at Abergele in Division One North, with Elgan Evans and Rhydian Jones both scoring hat-tricks.

Owen Aled scored a brace, and there were also tries for Tom Hughes, John Emrys Davies and Endaf Jones, whilst Eben Jones and Rhydian Jones added the kicks.