IT was a very tough trip to Maes Gwyniad for an Abergele side struggling to find last season’s form, and they were on the receiving end of an 74-19 emphatic defeat in Division One North.

Rhydian Jones, Elgan Evans and Robin Jones all crossed the line twice, with Ilan Rowlands, Garen Davies, Miallt Roberts, Owain Puw and Tudur Lynch also scoring tries in a big win for the hosts.

Jones slotted eight conversions and a penalty to complete a resounding victory.

Bala were quick out of the blocks, crossing for a couple of early tries, and the hosts were looking much quicker and more aggressive at the breakdown.

It was from close work that Gele’s sole first half try came as Calen Jones, Gele’s fourth stand-in scrum half, picked up and dived over.

Bala, however, turned around with a 35-point lead.

Gele replied with perhaps the try of the match, when the ball went right, left and right again, with Owain Davies feeding Jac Gronow to score out in the corner.

Bala, however kept scoring, particularly from the visitors’ loss of possession.

To their credit, the visitors kept working hard to press forward, and got a late consolation try when Ben Jones’ signature move unpicked the Bala defence to see Ed Davies cross over to score.

BRO FFESTINIOG 0 PWLLHELI 63

PWLLHELI’s emphatic away victory did not reflect the fact that Bro Ffestiniog were physically stronger, and this result was as much to do with resolute defence as it was with their undoubted attacking flair.

The visitors had demonstrated that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, and whilst there were some very strong individual displays, the team is at their most effective when they play as a unit.

With a good number of staunch supporters behind them, Pwllheli played with the slope in the first half and their lighter pack were quicker to the ball, and their recycling gave their half backs space.

An early penalty attempt by Pwllheli drifted wide as the Llyn side gained territorial dominance - even though Bro’s pack were competing effectively at set-pieces.

With pressure being exerted on Bro, a wayward clearance kick was fielded 40 metres out by Pwllheli. They countered and quick inter-passing created space for fullback Danial Glyn to beat the despairing cover to score wide out. Osian Parry Jones also slotted a difficult conversion.

Soon after Parry Jones extended the lead to 10 points with a long distance penalty.

With both sides putting in some big hits it seemed that defence would rule the day.

On 22 minutes, however, Bro made the error of giving Pwllheli’s scrum half and captain Nicholas Butterworth a yard of space. He saw the gap and thrust through for his side’s second try of the afternoon.

Seven minutes later it was Butterworth again who benefitted from the searing running which gave him the opportunity to beat the cover for try number three.

Parry Jones’ conversion put Pwllheli 22-0 up with 12 minutes of the half to go.

Bro Ffestiniog rallied, with the pack and backs combining well to make ground, but although they came close several times, they could not break the deadlock, and half-time came with no further score.

Four minutes into the second half, however, Pwllheli extended their lead through a Parry Jones long distance penalty goal.

Three minutes later the Llyn side won line-out possession just outside the Bro twenty-two. They set up an effective driving maul and released second row Huw Williams, who used his strength and prowess to crash through the would-be defenders to score the bonus point try.

Parry Jones slotted the conversion.

Idll Jones then brought on three players from his powerful bench in Geraint Parry, Elgan Davies and prop Rhys Williams.

When Bro tried to counter with a chip kick ahead, Pwllheli poacher Robin Hughes Jones gleefully sped through to score under the posts. Fly half Kalim Kelemete added the extras for a 39-0 lead.

Bro then made changes of their own and continued to attempt to make an impact .

Their bulky centres made several probing runs, and they twice created overlaps, but they failed to capitalise on these.

When Kelemete recognised that the cover had drifted too far too quickly, he scythed through to score another try for Pwllheli, which he converted himself.

Pwllheli’s pack were now make regular inroads and on 24 minutes Pwllheli’s flanker Ifan Owen took advantage of a tiring defence to score a fine individualist try, and Kelemete kicked the conversion.

Although the home side endeavoured, they could not prevent two further tries by Butterworth, to make it a personal hat-trick, and fullback Danial Glyn secured his brace, but neither try was converted.

With six league wins from six, Pwllheli will be looking to maintain winning ways against Ruthin at Bodegroes on Saturday.

The visitors may have had a poor start to the season, but games between the two clubs have been tightly contested, and Pwllheli expect no less on this occasion.

• Pwllheli Seconds meanwhile won their third match out of four 33-19 away at Bala Seconds, whilst Pwllheli Youths had an excellent 46-0 win against Llangefni.