AFTER emphatically beating Holyhead by a record points’ margin the previous week, the confident Castle men were keen to follow that up by securing the double over visitors Benllech.

They had already claimed a comprehensive 45-0 victory at Benllech earlier in the season, and were now looking to close the points gap between themselves and third-placed Denbigh.

Harlech had made a bright start, courtesy of an Andy Stone Williams try, which was also converted, but soon after Benllech centre Dyfed Roberts was successful with a penalty goal.

The Castle men responded well, with an unconverted Ewart Williams try, and more points were to follow, courtesy of an Aeron Griffiths try that was converted.

Harlech then secured their bonus point with an unconverted Gareth Davies try to make a half-time score line of Harlech 24 Benllech 3.

Like the previous Saturday, the floodgates really opened after the break, with influential full back Gareth Davies extending their lead with an unconverted try.

Soon afterwards Martin Williams went over for an unconverted try, and seven more points followed, with a second Aeron Griffiths try.

Just as time was running out, Simon Elford scored his first-ever try for the Castle men, to add to the home side’s points tally, which meant a full-time scoreline of Harlech 48 Benllech 3.

Harlech must now wait a fortnight before they travel to third-placed Denbigh on Saturday, 18 February.

• Machynlleth maintained their winning streak in Division Two North East with a solid 43-5 romp at struggling Rhos to stretch the unbeaten run to seven games.

It proved to be a profitable visit, with 10 points gleaned from the double header that sees Mach now lying second in the table, with fullback Kameron Simmons-Sandy leading the way with four of their six tries on the day.

The visitors struggled to fire in a scrappy first half, leading just 10-5 at the break, before surging ahead courtesy of an improved showing in the second half.

Flanker James Owen and prop Gareth Thomas bagged the other tries, while Stefan Price kicked 13 points, including one penalty and five conversions.

Mach are back in action a week on Saturday at home to leaders Shotton Steel.